Egypt's Orascom Construction Industries (OCI) said on Monday it had agreed to form a partnership with Italy's Maire Tecnimont to investigate possible fertiliser plant projects in sub-Saharan Africa.

'The 50/50 partnership will take charge of all aspects of proposed projects, including engineering, procurement and construction, licensing, plant operation, equity participation, partnership and debt financing arrangements,' OCI said in an emailed statement.

OCI and Maire Tecnimont earlier this month signed a $146 million contract to finish civil works and building projects at a petrochemical project in Abu Dhabi.-Reuters