Turkmenistan has produced around 3.3 million tons of cement since early 2015, said the message from the country s government.

“The country has established its own cement industry meeting the demands of the domestic market in large-scale construction,” said the message. “Rich raw material resources for cement production open up export opportunities for the country as well.”

A plant with the capacity of 1.4 million tons of cement per year was put into operation by Turkish Polimeks in Turkmenistan s Lebap province, said the message.

The plant produces portland cement, oil-well cement required for the oil and gas industry, and sulfate-resistant cement used in hydraulic units.

Polimeks also put into operation a similar plant in Turkmenistan s west - in the Balkan province. Such large enterprises operate in the Ahal province as well.

To cover the demand, the country has opened 35 specialized outlets for selling cement at single price – 175 Turkmen manats per ton, said the government message.

The official exchange rate has remained at 3.5 manats/$1 in Turkmenistan since January 2015.