Iran weighing proposals on cement supply

Iran’s Minister of Industries and Mines Alireza Tahmasbi here on Tuesday said different proposals on cement are under study.

Some have proposed a 440 to 450 thousand rial (US$47.6-US$48.7) price for a ton of cement, said the ranking official, adding other experts have suggested a free market mechanism for the commodity.

Tahmasbi said the ministry was to make the final decision on cement in the last Iranian calendar year (ended March 20, 2007), blaming the Economic Council’s piles of work for postponement.

The ministry, as a pro-production body, is duty-bound to adopt those policies that help preserve and develop the output and make the cement industry economical.