According to "Tehran Times", all governmental cement production units are to be completely privatized by the end of the Third FiveYear National Economic Development Plan on March 20, 2005. In 2000, some 20 per cent of the countrys cement was produced by state-run companies, but now a large share of the Kurdistan and Hegmataneh cement factories have been sold to the private sector, resulting in a 15 per cent decline in cement production by state-run companies. In light of the growth in private sector investment in the cement industry, it is predicted that during the Fourth Five-Year Economic Development Plan, which will begin on March 20, 2005, the countrys cement production industry will be completely privatised.  To date, 59 production lines in 35 companies produce over 31Mt of cement per year. Cement enterprises employ 19,000 workers.