Bangladesh Cement Manufacturers' Association yesterday urged the government to reduce import duty on clinker, the main raw material for cement, from 7.5 per cent to 2.5 per cent to help local cement plants survive, reports UNB.

If proper incentives are given, the local manufacturers will be able to meet the country's entire requirement of cement, estimated at 2 million tons a year, by 2001, the Association leaders told a press conference at Sonargaon Hotel in the evening.

They said the government in 1992-93 imposed 7.5 per cent import duty on clinker, but reduced the duty from 20 per cent to 15 per cent for bagged cement.

Imported finished cement and its raw material are being taxed almost at the same rate, said Abdul Matlub Ahmed. Managing Director of Niloy Cement Industries.

He mentioned that the Customs authorities are assessing the C&F value of imported cement at 48 to 50 US dollar and that of clinker at 48.50 dollar per ton while actual price of clinker is 30 dollar.

Director (Marketing) of Confidence Cement Ltd Shamsul Alam said the National Board of Revenue (NBR) seems not to support the production-based economy. Rather, they heavily lean on import based economy which does not reflect the political will of the government, he added.

Executive Director of Megh-na Cement Mills Ltd Khale-quzzaman demanded a ban on import of lower quality "slag cement" from India, saying that Bangladesh's local cement maintains international standard.