India: The India Ratings and Research credit ratings agency has said that demonetisation of the economy is likely to reduce growth in the cement industry by 2% to 4% in the 2016 – 2017 financial year that ends on 31 March 2017. Previously it had predicted growth of up to 6% in this period. The agency reported that cement production grew by 0.5% in November 2016 following rates of 5.5% and 6.2% in September and November 2016 respectively. It added that all India volumes fell by up to 25% in November and December 2016. The agency expects demand for cement from the housing sector will to decline further from its current contribution of 65% of all demand.
