Kenya s second-largest cement firm ARM Cement posted a 28 percent rise in first-half pretax profit helped by a rise in cement sales, and it forecast a strong performance for the second half of the year.

The cement manufacturer, which exports to the East African region, said pretax profit for the six months ended June jumped to 1.0 billion shillings ($11.51 million).

Sales of cement rose 28 percent in the first half of the year compared to the same period last year, said ARM Cement, which is ranked second in Kenya behind Bamburi Cement.

Cement companies are a focus for investors seeking a slice of East Africa s strong economic growth, punctuated by construction of highways and new office buildings in major cities, including in Kenya, the region s biggest economy.