Iraq: Construction has begun on the Ramadi Cement plant in Anbar province, which will produce 1Mt/yr of cement, according to Shafaq news. The project is 100% privately financed and is part of efforts to expand Iraq s industrial capacity and attract investment into the country. Moayad al-Dulaimi, spokesperson for the Anbar provincial government, said that the facility is expected to create at least 5000 jobs and support the development of the province s natural and mineral resources. He added that construction is currently between 27% and 30% complete. The plant will incorporate German technology, while Swiss engineering teams are overseeing construction to ensure compliance with international technical standards. The developer, Sada Al-Nujoom for Contracting and Oil Services, has built a 26MW power plant to supply electricity to the plant. /Global Cement