Saudi Southern Province profits

Saudi cement producer, Southern Province Cement (SPC), posted a net profit of 500.8 mln Saudi riyals (US$133.5m for 2003, up from 482.4 mln riyalsfor 2002, it was reported on January 18, 2004.  The company's clinker output rose to 4,092,849t from 3,616,904t, while cement sales totalled 3,809,269t, compared to 3,685,720t. Local sales decreased to 3,596,963t from 3,628,335t and exports rose to 212,306t from 57,385t.  Southern Province Cement, one of the eight cement companies operating in Saudi Arabia, was established in 1978 and is based in Abha, southwestern Saudi Arabia.