Oman Cement is to upgrade the power plant that supplies its cement plant, as part of its programme of investment to reduce costs and raise productivity. The company has been under pressure from cheap imports, as well as rising costs. “In order to improve the performance of [the] power plant and achieve higher efficiency and cost reductions in its operations, a decision has been taken to upgrade the power plant with the latest technology turbine,” the company said in its latest quarterly report. The upgrade to the power plant follows the installation of a new cement mill, which has allowed Oman Cement to increase production levels. The company also has ongoing work to improve the pollution control equipment and install new packing and truck loading equipment. Oman Cement is one of two cement producers in the Middle Eastern country. It recently announced an 8% increase in cement production in the first nine months of the year. Sales volumes were also up 9.59%, although pre-tax profits were down, on the back of lower prices. /WorldCement