In the first half of 2015, turnover for the Moroccan cement group Ciments du Maroc (Cimar) was up 7.6%, compared with the same period in 2014, to MAD 1.93 billion (€178.90 million/US$196.39 million), despite a 1.3% decline in national consumption.
The performance is being attributed to good sales in the Doukkala-Abda region, which is currently carrying out the construction of the Safi-El Jadida motorway and Safi port.
Consolidated net profit was up 10% to MAD 501 million.
Gross operating income was up 6.8% to MAD 802 million due to an improvement in production costs, while operating income was up 8.9% to MAD 561 million.
The operating margin stood at 29.08%, up 0.34%, while the net margin was up 1.02% to 26%.