The Consumer Affairs Authority says the importation of cement from SAARC countries has resulted in the high cement prices, despite concessions granted by the interim budget.

The authority points out that the government expected the price of a bag of cement to go down by Rs. 90 with the removal of the 7.5% duty levied on the imported cement.

However, the authority says the duty was not levied on cement imported from South Asian countries.

The Consumer Affairs Authority said that it is looking into alternate means of giving the price benefit to consumers.

Attention will be focussed on reducing the price of cement, based on the price reductions of electricity and fuel.

The Consumer Affairs Authority said that it is currently holding discussions with cement companies and the treasury in this regard.

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