THERE has been no major increase in the importation of cement, and imposing more restrictions may lead to higher prices that can affect the construction industry, a group of cement traders said in a position paper it sent over the weekend to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

The paper was drafted following the DTI's investigation on whether the increase in cement imports is harming the local industry, which warrants safeguard measures. The probe, which started in Oct. 28, 2024, examined import data from 2019 to June 2024.