Due to lack of long-term availability of natural gas, the proposed cement plant in Oman’s northern city of Al Duqm has been put on hold. The cement plant was a joint venture (JV) between Raysut Cement Company and Oman Cement Company. Jamal Shamis Al Hooti, Chief Executive of Oman Cement Company said that the ministry could not commit natural gas for the project and that is the reason for the plant to be put on hold. "We did not appoint a consultant to conduct a feasibility study for the project," he added. The project was intended to enhance the availability of cement within the country to meet additional demand arising from major government-supported infrastructure projects. Presently, the two cement producers have a combined capacity of 4.7 million tonne of cement per annum. However, if the capacity of Raysut’s recently acquired Ras Al Khaima-based Pioneer Cement Industries is included, the total installed capacity is much higher at 6.4 million tonne per annum.