In line with equities in most markets, shares in Orascom Construction Industries, the Egypt-based regional giant, have taken a battering in recent weeks, losing 58 per cent of their value since their peak in April.

Not only that but, having spun off its cement business to Lafarge Group at the end of last year to set itself up as a global fertiliser producer with plants in Egypt, Algeria and Nigeria, OCI has now seen the prices of urea fertiliser collapse from a peak of $800-$900 in July to $350 on the back of tight credit to traders as well as falling grain prices.