October 5: The impact of lockdown and prohibitory order has been seen in the production of cement and clinker. Cement and clinker worth Rs 957.2 million have been imported in Nepal after limestone excavation and cement production was stopped due to the lockdown imposed by the government for controlling the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

After the production of the cement and limestone excavation was stopped, traders have imported those products from India. However, the import has declined in September of the current fiscal year than that of the previous month. According to the statistics of the Department of Customs, cement and clinker worth Rs 513.4 million was imported in August.

Likewise, in September, cement and clinker worth Rs 443.7 million was imported. However, it is high compared to the last fiscal year when cement and clinker worth Rs 782.3 million was imported.

Although the traders have been claiming that Nepal is self-dependent in cement and clinker, its import has not dropped to zero even in the normal situation. Traders say that cement and clinker that they had ordered in June/July of the current fiscal year, are now being imported.

Tara Prasad Pokhrel, vice-president of the Nepal Cement Manufacturers’ Association, argued that among the imported products, the import of clinker could be significant. Pokharel, who is also the managing director of Agni Cement, said that he could not reach the mine as the government did not facilitate during the limestone excavation season before the start of monsoon because of the lockdown. As a result, he said that businessmen have imported clinker.