Iran: China National Building Material Company (CNBM) and the Industrial Development and Renovation Organisation of Iran, affiliated with the Industries Ministry, have signed a US$74m contract to build a 30,000t/yr fibreglass and composite manufacturing plant in Marand, East Azarbaijan Province. The capacity could be tripled if Tehran is satisfied with the performance of the Chinese company. As much as US$50m of the capital needed for equipment imports will be financed by Chinese banks while Tehran will provide the rest of the capital covering procurement of domestically-made equipment and construction costs. The project is scheduled to complete in 24 months.