ASEC Engineering, part of Egypt s Qalaa Holdings empire, has won a deal to provide technical assistance and for the operation and maintenance of a plant in Ethiopia.

The company has signed a one-year contract, which is renewable for a period of up to five years, to help manage a one million tonne capacity clinker plant for the National Cement Share Company (NCSC) in the city of Dire Dawa, around 450km east of the capital Addis Ababa.

ASEC Engineering s scope of work will cover extensive training for local staff through its ASEC Academy training programmes and courses. The firm said that its expertise should help NCSC to increase production volumes, improve product quality and reduce costs.

The win follows on from a number of other regional contract wins, ASEC said. The company also operates and maintains 10 lines across seven plants in its home market of Egypt, covering around 25% of the country s total capacity.

“This contract with National Cement Share Company 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 CimentoNacional Company in Mozambique,” said ASEC Engineering CEO Khaled El Sebaie.