Saudi Cement producer Najran Cement Co reported a 159 per cent increase in net profits (after zakat and tax) to SAR6m (US$1.6m) in the 1Q19 when compared with the 1Q18, when it reported a loss of SAR10.2m.

Sales revenues reached 106.5m in the first three months of 2019, up from SAR97m in the year-ago period. Total profits reached SAR22.6m, an considerable improvement when compared with the SAR9.7m reported in the 1Q18.

The improved results have been attributed to an increase in sales volume and other income while production costs per tonne decreased.