Pak cement output

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s cement output fell by 18 per cent to 1.5 million tonnes in April from March, but output for the 10 months through April was 11 per cent higher than a year ago. The production in the first 10 months of fiscal 2005-06 (July-June) was 14.85 million tonnes, up from 13.38 million tonnes in the corresponding period last year. — HNS

B’desh, Maldives ties

DHAKA: Bangladesh foreign minister Morshed Khan has called for increased bilateral cooperation with the Maldives. He offered more trade to the Maldives during talks with the foreign minister of Maldives. — HNS

P’pines exports rise

MANILA: Philippine exports rose by 25.8 per cent from a year earlier to $4.11 billion in March, driven by firmer electronics demand. Shipments of electronic products, which accounted for nearly 66 per cent of total exports for the month, increased by 24.7 per cent to $2.71 billion. — AFP