Qatar National Cement Company (QNCC) has signed an agreement to supply limestone to Qatar Electricity & Water Company (QEWC).

The companies announced the deal in a statement to the Qatar Exchange on 2 September.

The agreement covers a 25-year period starting from the date of production and is worth QR8.46m ($2.33m) a year.

The limestone will be used in the desalination process in QEWC’s plants.

QNCC will supply limestone from a new plant which is due to begin operating at Umm Bab in 2010.

QEWC made a a net profit of QR415m in the six months to 30 June, an 18.9 per cent increase from QR349m for the same period in 2008 (MEED 27:7:09).