Saudi cement producer Eastern Province Cement Company (EPC) posted a net profit of 214.9m Saudi riyals (US$57.3m) for the first nine months of 2004, up 9.1 per cent YoY. EPC’s pre-tax profit for the period included operating profit of 190.1m riyals ($50.7m/39.3m euro), up 1.0 per cent, and other income of 30.2m riyals (US$8.1m). Operating expenses increased 0.7 pct to 21.6 mln riyals (US$5.8m).