Saudi cement producer Qassim Cement Company (QCC) posted a net profit of 208.5 mln Saudi riyals (US$55.6m) for the first nine months of 2005, up from 191 mln riyals (US$50.9m) for the year-ago period.  Gross profit grew 16.1 per cent to 221.1 mln riyals (US$59m) against January to September 2004. The operating expenses rose by 12 per cent to 80.1 mln riyals (US$21.4m).