Iran exported 5.82 million tons of cement and clinker during the first five months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21-Aug. 22), showing a 17.3 per cent of rise compared with the corresponding period of past year, Eghtesadonline news website reported on Wednesday.

Cement accounted for some 2.94 million tons of the total sum and the remaining 2.88 million tons was clinker, Mohammad Atabak, head of the board of directors at Cement Employers Association, was quoted as saying.

Iranian cement was exported to more than 20 countries of which Afghanistan and Iraq, purchasing 30 percent and 26 percent of the total exports respectively, were the first and second biggest customers, Atabak said.

Bangladesh and Kuwait were Iran's first and second biggest clinker customers over the period with a 22 percent and 21 percent share of total exports respectively, he added.

Iran produced 24.08 million tons of cement during the five-month period, registering an increase of over 244,000 tons compared with past year's corresponding period.

Clinker production also witnessed 2.7 percent increase to 26.09 million tons during the five month period year on year.