Egypt's Minister of Industry and Transport Kamel El-Wazir granted a one-month grace period to all cement factories nationwide to restart all idle production lines, the Cabinet said on Wednesday. The move aims to meet domestic demand and ensure supply stability. El-Wazir said the decision reflects the ministry's commitment to enhancing the cement sector's efficiency and supporting continuous production without shortages. He added that surplus production may be exported after fulfilling local market needs. He stressed compliance with Ministry of Trade decree No. 339 of 2009, requiring maximum sale prices to be marked on cement bags. The government also agreed to abolish the cement production quota system, allowing factories to operate at full capacity. The ministry announced a comprehensive inspection campaign across cement factories, coordinated with consumer protection, competition, and internal trade authorities, to ensure fair pricing and protect consumers. Officials agreed to hold regular meetings with cement producers and relevant bodies to review policies and market regulation mechanisms, maintaining market balance and stability, the statement added. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: M. S. Salama
