Oman Chlorine Company (OCC) is being set up in the Sohar industrial estate to produce hydrochloric acid, caustic soda and sodium hypochloride. Commissioning of the smaller elements of the plant began in early 1999 and full production later in the year.

The company will have a capacity to produce 10.2 million gallons a year (g/y) of hydrochloric acid. It says it will be able to meet all local demand and expects to export 40 per cent of its production to neighboring markets.

The founders say they expect the market for hydrochloric acid to increase with the coming on stream of liquefied natural gas (LNG) schemes in Oman and Qatar. Demand is projected to reach an average of 14 million g/y in Qatar over the next five years, 12 million g/y in the UAE and 4 million g/y in Oman.

However, any decline in oil production would reduce demand.OCC will also produce 3.9 million g/y of caustic soda, which is used as a cleaning agent, and 137,000 g/y of sodium hypochloride, which is widely used as an oxidizing and bleaching agent in the textiles industry.

Both products are to be sold locally and to other GCC states. The total cost of the project is RO 9.24 million ($24 million), of which half is equity in the form of 4.62 million shares. A soft loan from the Commerce & Industry Ministry provides the remainder.

The public was offered 1.85 million shares in an offering running from 14 September-13 October 1997.No sales figures for 1999 were available as this guide was being prepared. National Trading Company holds a 10 per cent stake in the company.

Individuals	N/A
Institutions	N/A
Floating	N/A
Government	N/A

	2003	2002	2001
Total Assets	10,455	10,612	10,348
Shareholder's Equity	5,031	4,855	4,752
NIAT	581	507	11
Dividends	231	370	N/A

	2003	2002	2001
Assets Growth	-1.48%	2.55%	0.10%
Earning Growth	14.41%	4,683.13%	-91.63%
ROaA	5.51%	4.84%	0.10%
ROaE	11.75%	10.56%	0.22%
No. Of Shares	4,620,000	4,620,000	4,620,000
EPS	0.13	0.11	0.00
EPS Growth	14.41%	4,683.13%	-91.63%
Payout Ratio	39.784	72.829	N/A

	Trailing
PE
PB
DVPS
Div Yield
EV
EV/Equity

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