July 26: Nepal exported cement worth Rs 780 million in the last fiscal year (FY 2022/23).

According to the Department of Customs, three cement industries exported over 1 million tons of cement worth Rs 777.93 million in the review year.

According to the department, the industries exported 607,073 metric tons of cement worth Rs 420.35 million and 396,950 metric tons of clinker worth Rs 358.95 million.

Currently, three cement industries namely Palpa, Arghakhanchi and Balaji are exporting cement to India. Besides, other industries are preparing to export cement.

Palpa Cement's 'Tansen' brand was exported to India from July 9 last year. Meanwhile, Arghakhanchi Cement and Balaji Cement started exporting PPC cement under the brands 'Bahubali' and 'Shrishti' from October 17 and June 12 last year respectively.

The industries started exporting cement after the government announced up to eight percent cash subsidy on cement exports along with a subsidy of 2-15 percent on electricity tariff for the industries that consume worth more than Rs 100 million annually.    

The Cement Producers Association of Nepal has said that many cement industries are waiting for quality certificate for cement export from the Government of India. Nepali cement industry will have to get a quality certificate from the Indian government for exporting cement to India. The cement industry operating in Nepal has an annual production capacity of around 22 million tons.