The lack of long-term availability of natural gas has led to the postponing of a proposal to build a cement plant in Oman's northern city of Al Duqm, Times of Oman has reported. The initial proposal involved setting up a joint venture between Raysut Cement and Oman Cement, with an active support from a government-owned company. The government "could not commit natural gas for the project and that is why the plan is on hold," Jamal Shamis Al Hooti, chief executive of Oman Cement told the daily.