Qatar’s largest cement producer Qatar National Cement Company (QNCC) expects to receive three shipments of cement by the end of May 2004 to cover the continuing shortfall in its cement supply in the country, according to QNCC chairman and managing director, Salem Butti al-Nuaimi, it was reported on May 12, 2004.  QNCC previously planned to receive only one delivery of cement in May 2004. Through the increased import of cement, the crisis on the local cement market is to be overcome by the end of the month, al-Nuaimi added. The crisis has been evoked by the booming construction industry in Qatar, the rise in the prices of cargo and transportation services and the decrease in the cement quantities exported by the neighbouring countries, al-Nuaimi said.  QNCC presently produces about 4500t of cement a day. In early May 2004, the company increased the cement price by 15 Qatari riyals ($4.1) per tonne.  QNCC reported a net profit of 115 mln riyals ($31.6m) for 2003, compared to 105 mln riyals ($28.8m) in 2002. The company’s sales reached 1.5Mt of cement in 2003, compared to 1.4Mt in 2002.