Oman Cement upgrades with USD67m loans

Oman: Oman Cement Company has obtained two loans totalling more than USD67m from BankMuscat to finance a series of upcoming modernisation projects.

The first loan of USD38m will be used to finance its kiln upgrade project and pollution control equipment improvements. The company announced in March 2011 that this would be carried out by two Chinese companies. The second loan of USD30m will pay off an existing loan of the same amount the company currently has with Bank Sohar. A statement released to the Muscat Securities Market (MSM) explains that these loans would 'hopefully reduce the cost of financing its projects.'

Outlining the reasons behind the loans the company's chief financial officer, Deepak Dikshit, stated that the loan to pay off the Bank Sohar loan will be paid back in semi-annual instalments over five years. Dikshit said that the loan for the modernisation works has a two-year moratorium and is also payable in semi-annual instalments over a period of 'effectively seven years.'

Anticipating completion by February 2012, the company will be employing CNBM International Engineering to carry out a USD30m contract to modernise the 29 year old plant, extending its life by another 25 years and increasing its capacity from 2000t/day to 2700t/day.

Oman Cement Company also signed a USD8.5m deal with Sino Environment Engineering Company to modernise the company's pollution control systems to ensure that emissions fall below 10mg/nm³, with work expected to be completed by the end of January 2012.

Indian firm ERCOM Consulting Engineers has been appointed the consultants to the projects.