Saudi Cement Co reported that first-quarter net profit increase SR 5m (US$1.33m) to reach SR 95m (US$25.33m) from the same period a year earlier. The company, reported a 35.2 per cent increase in domestic sales to 987,000t of cement from 730,000t in 2003.

The cement demand in Saudi Arabia is increasing due to the construction boom in the private and public sectors.