Iraq: The Cement Producers Association in Iraq (CPAI) has complained about a government decision to reduce subsidises on fuel for the industry. It has warned that the cut could risk plants closing and cement prices rising, according to the Agence France Presse. The Ministry of Oil raised the price of fuel sold to cement manufactures to US$0.17/l in September 2021 from US$0.10/l litre previously. This followed a rise earlier in 2021. CPAI has warned of ‘enormous losses’ in the sector and has lobbied the government to reverse the decision. It added that producers would have to decide whether to stop production and lay off workers or raises cement prices by at least US$10/t. The subsidised fuel price for cement manufacturers was originally approved in exchange for an agreement to cap the price of cement.
