Oman Cement has said that its sales dropped by around 6.6% in value terms to $108.5m (OR: 39m) in the first nine months of the year, although profits increased by 2% to $38.6m.
Although public spending continues to drive the infrastructure market in Oman, an unexpected breakdown at one of its cement mills earlier this year meant that its cement production was 9% lower at 1.53m metric tons, compared to 1.68m in the same period last year.
Clinker production was also 2.7% lower at 1.47m metric tons.
The company said that it remained confident on the market s future prospects, adding that work on upgrading kiln 1 is ongoing.