ASEC Engineering and Management, a subsidiary of Egypt's Qalaa Holdings (formerly Citadel Capital), has signed a plant management agreement with Ethiopia’s National Cement Share Company.

The one-year contract is renewable for a five-year term, according to ASEC. It will  provide full technical assistance to National Cement Share Company, one of the largest producers of cement in Ethiopia, for the operation and maintenance of the cement plant.

The Egyptian firm will also utilise its know-how and expertise to help National Cement Share Company to boost production volumes, cut production costs, and improve product quality.

Located in the city of Dire Dawa, 450km east of the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, the plant has a clinker capacity of 1Mta.

Commenting on the contract, Khaled El Sebaie, CEO of ASEC Engineering said: "This is a result of the continued efforts of ASEC Engineering and its ambitious plans to expand its business into Sub-Saharan Africa after its successful contract with Cimento Nacional Company in Mozambique."

Under the contract, ASEC Engineering will also introduce and implement systems for all aspects of production, quality, maintenance, warehousing and human resources, among other areas, he stated.