Iraq and Pakistan discuss co-operation for cement industry

Iraq and Pakistan have discussed close mutual cooperation in the areas of cement, trade and commerce.  While meeting Shamim Ahmed Firpo, president of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on 12 April, Ambassador of Iraq in Pakistan, Dr Ali Yasin Mohammed Karim, said that some factories including 18 cement plants were available in Iraq, but they were not working properly as compared to Pakistan’s advanced industrial units and infrastructure.

"As factories in Iraq need improvements, therefore the private and public sectors of Iraq and Pakistan can undertake joint ventures in all the sectors of the economy including cement industry.

We prefer private sector's joint ventures which are quicker as compared to joint ventures at public sector level," he added.

Commenting on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the Iraqi Ambassador said that Iraq was considering establishing gas terminals at Port Qasim and Gwadar worth billions of dollars to facilitate meeting the energy requirement of several industrial sectors, including the cement industry.

Attock Cement and Lucky Cement have already formed joint ventures with Iraqi entrepreneurs for cement production.