The board of the directors of the Qatar National Cement Co (QNCC) approved a 38 mln Qatari rials ($10.4m) interim cash dividend for the first half of 2005, local media reported on July 1, 2005. The dividend is equal to 20 per cent of the company’s capital. The dividend will be distributed among shareholders registered at the close of business on July 28, 2005. The company expects a 90 mln rials ($24.7m) net profit for the first half of 2005 compared to 96 rials ($26.4m) for the corresponding period of 2004.