Baghdad, September 22 (QNA) - Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani on Monday designated Babil Province as the Industrial Capital of Iraq, citing its strategic location as a key factor behind the decision.

In his speech, Al Sudani said that Babil, the city of civilization and history, has a new name added to it: the Industrial Capital of Iraq.

He explained that the province enjoys advantages that support the integration of agriculture and industry, along with a bold and capable private sector able to establish factories producing goods for export to neighboring countries.

The Prime Minister added that a range of projects are being planned and implemented as part of the new industrial hub, noting Iraq's qualitative and quantitative boom in the industrial sector, including the production of rebar, sugar, cooking oil, pharmaceuticals, and cement to meet local demand.

Later, Al Sudani launched the implementation of a 960-ton-per-day plastic granules factory project in Babil Province, the first of its kind in Iraq and developed by the private sector. (QNA)