Iraq: Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani has launched six industrial projects worth US$1.17bn in Muthanna province, including five cement plants. According to Iraqi News, Al-Sudani initiated commercial operations at the 6000t/day Najmat Al-Samawa Cement Plant 2, and launched construction of Al-Arabi, Khairat Al-Muthanna, Al-Ittihad and, each with a capacity of 6000t/day. The 6600t/day Al-Samawa cement plant has also commenced construction. Al-Sudani said that the main objective of the current projects is to secure the needs of the local market and stop imports. The government is reportedly constructing residential complexes in Baghdad and other provinces, where there are more than a million housing units. 200,000 housing units are also being built in seven large residential communities. /Global Cement