In Iran, Mohammad-Reza Lotfi, deputy head of the Association of Cement Industry Entrepreneurs, is reported as saying that the Iraqi ban on Iranian cement imports has caused much trouble for the industry.
The only solution is to look for new markets, with Pakistan, Afghanistan and Central Asia named as possibilities.
About 7 million tonnes of Iran's cement exports or 60% of cement and clinker exports went to Iraq in 2015.
Meanwhile, Azerbaijan, another big market, has also reduced imports due to increased production capacity.
