Indonesia’s largest cement-maker Semen Gresik said its first-half net profit rose 9.5 percent to Rp700 billion (US$76.5 million) from a year earlier, on higher sales and better cost efficiencies.

Company president Dwi Soetjipto told reporters sales in the first half of 2007 rose 8.31 percent to Rp4.43 trillion from a year earlier.

Semen Gresik owns two main units, Semen Padang in West Sumatra province and Semen Tonasa in Sulawesi.