The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on Monday awarded 14 licences to various industrial groups based in Pakistan for the establishment of cement factories in the province.

Dawn News reported that the licencees were Premier Enterprises, Maharaj Enterprises, Gharibwal Cement, Bestway Cement and CAD International.

Chief guest at the special licence distribution ceremony, Chief Minister, Pervez Khattak, claimed that the initiative would bring about a US$2.5bn investment to the province and welcomed the big cement industry names to the province.

He added that 44 industrial groups had applied for cement manufacturing licences, 14 of which have been granted and  a further six of which are likely to be awarded soon.