According to local sources, Saudi Eastern Province Cement Company has recently signed a contract to install a new clinker production line. The capacity of the new clinker production line stands at 3500 tons per day. Thus, the companys total clinker production capacity will grew to 10,500 tons per day, some 3.15Mta. The Eastern Province Cement Co (EPCC) is one hundred per cent Saudi owned company having public and private shareholders.  According to the Chairman of the Board of the Saudi Eastern Cement Company (EPCC), Mr. Ahmed Abdullah Al-Zamil, stated that the companys net profits totaled SR 257 million in 2003 compared with SR 134 million in the previous year. These figures translate into a 10 per cent rise. The company awarded 34 per cent return on capital to shareholders last year.