A number of Gulf businessmen will build a US$180m cement plant in Eastern Sudan, local media reported on December 5, 2005.  The plant will have an annual production capacity of 1.5Mt of cement and is expected to start operations in the middle of 2007. The cement plant project is aimed to meet the growing demand on the local market, which is a result of the recent construction boom in the country.  All preparations for the plant’s public subscription have already been finalised and the move will be carried out at the beginning of 2006.