Pakistan's largest cement producer, Lucky Cement, has said it is working on its 0.87Mta grinding plant in Basra, Iraq on a fast-track basis and trial productions are expected to begin next month.

The company intends to import clinker from the UAE for this project. The new grinding plant is expected to cost US$35m, with an expected payback period of three years.

Lucky Cement has said it may consider setting up a fully integrated works in Iraq, on successful implementation of the Basra facility.

WIth a capacity of 7.75Mt of capacity in Pakistan, it is one of the few domestic producers with operations in the north and south of the country, as well as the only exporter with bulk export facilities.