8216;UltraTech Cement exports to remain flat8217;

Last year,the Birla group company8217;s exports stood at around Rs 371 crore.

8220;The outlook for the cement industry remains challenging,but we are bullish on the sector. We expect a boost in the domestic market as the infrastructure and construction industry is poised to grow in the coming years,8221; he said.

At present,he said,there is a demand-supply mismatch.

8220;With the industry8217;s proposed capacity expansion of around 71 million tonne between FY13 and FY15,it will be no different for the next 2-3 years. I believe the short term

prospects for the industry appear bearish. Regardless,over the medium to long term,the sector offers good growth potential,8221; Birla said.

The company has also embarked on a Rs 12,000 crore expansion plan to increase its capacity to 62 million tonne by FY14.

UltraTech is currently developing clinkerisation plants at Chhattisgarh and Karnataka together with grinding units as well as bulk packaging terminals and ready mix

concrete plants,besides a waste-heat recovery system.

8220;These expansions will increase the company8217;s capacity by 10.2 million tonnes per annum MTPA to 62 MTPA,8221; he said.

The total capex under implementation for these projects is around Rs 12,000 crore,which will be funded through a judicious mix of internal accruals and borrowings,

Birla added.