Cairo / EG. (oci) Orascom Construction Industries (OCI) announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary OCI Fertilizer Holding has agreed to sell its 16,8 percent stake in the Gavilon Group LLC to Japanese trading house Marubeni Corporation. Proceeds from the transaction amount to approximately 604,8 million USD. Marubeni valued 100 percent of Gavilon´s equity at 3,6 billion USD. OCI initially paid 340 million USD for their stake in July 2008. The transaction is expected to close by September and OCI will use the cash proceeds to finance its Fertilizer Group expansion strategy in North America and potentially invest in other opportunities under review. In addition, part of the proceeds will be returned to shareholders. The Fertilizer Group will maintain its existing relationship with Gavilon under the new ownership of Marubeni in marketing fertilizer products in North America. Details about the transaction are published on marubeni.com.