Iran produced 19.737Mt of cement in the first half of current Iranian year (started March 21, 2007), the Ministry of Industries and Mines reported here on Friday.

The figure shows a 13 per cent rise when compared to that of same period in previous year.

Of the figure, 3.5Mt was produced from Aug. 23 to Sept. 22, indicating a nine percent rise from 2006 and 2.7 percent over its nominal capacity – 102.7 per cent.