Karachi: The presence of Pakistan-based tiles and ceramics manufacturers has increased in domestic markets, a news source reported. As a result, the government has imposed anti-dumping and regulatory duties and new manufacturers have joined the growing industry.
In the last six months, the presence of local manufacturers has increased from 50% to 60%. Previously, 50% of the market was filled with smuggled tiles and ceramics, according to Shabbir Tiles and Ceramics Limited CEO Masood Jaffery.
Pakistan is consuming around six million square meters of tiles and ceramic a month, including the illegal ones.
The presence of Chinese tiles dropped after duties were duties were imposed. However, smuggled tiles continue to remain a problem, Jaffery felt.
Shabbir Tiles is the only tile manufacturing company listed in the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX). It has invested PKR 1.4 billion in the past 18 months to expand production and upgrade technology at its production site.
