Iran exports climb

Iran exported 3.34Mt of cement and clinker in the first three months of the current calendar year which began on March 20, the IRNA News Agency has reported. Some 2.89Mt of cement and 449,400t of clinker were exported during the period.

Iran's cement production capacity will be increased by 6.8Mt to reach 82Mt by the end of the current calendar year, Mohammad Fatemian, an official of the Industry, Mine and Trade Ministry, said in May. "The country's cement production capacity stood at 76.4Mt in the past calendar year which ended on March 19," Mr Fatemian added.

Over 10.4Mt of cement was exported last year, he said, adding that the figure is projected to rise to 15Mt this year.

Iran produced over 66.4Mt of cement last year, showing an eight per cent rise compared to the year before, according to the IRNA News Agency.