Iraq has promised to remove the ban placed on Iranian cement imports, according to Adolreza Sheikhan, secretary of Iran's Cement Industry Employers Association.

Following meetings between Iranian and Iraqi officials, Baghdad promised to give priority to Iranian exports once the general ban on cement import is removed, Mr Sheikhan said.

Iran's cement and clinker exports witnessed a 20 per cent fall in the last fiscal year (ended 20 March), now standing at 15Mt.