The state-owned General Cement Authority is understood to have selected Cement Consultancy Associates of the UK to advise on the expansion of the Bajil cement plant. The project will take capacity to 800,000 tonnes a year (t/y) from 600,000 t/y.

About five consultants submitted bids for the contract. The deadline for submission of bids for the construction contract has been extended by a month, until the end of September.

The General Cement Authority is also pressing ahead with plans for the expansion of the Barah cement plant, following government approval in July. A tender is due to be issued in the fourth quarter for the project, which will increase capacity by about 250,000 t/y to 750,000 t/y.

A number of private sector cement projects are also in progress to meet the country's widening supply deficit (MEED 30:7:04).