* Operating profit up 2.4 percent yr/yr
* Net profit near flat at 107 million euros
* Cimpor sees operating growth continuing in H2
LISBON, Aug 26 (Reuters) - Portuguese cement maker Cimpor said on Wednesday it expected further growth in its operating profit in the second half after posting a 2.4 percent rise in the first six months and a steady net profit.
Portugal's largest cement maker, which is also one of the country's most active companies abroad, said higher sales in countries like Egypt, China and South Africa boosted its bottom-line despite the recession, which affected revenues in Portugal and Spain.
The company said that lower fuel prices, the opening of new plants and a favourable comparison with the weak final months of 2008 "allow to forecast operating results growth at least the same as in the first half".
Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) rose 2.4 percent to 196 million euros ($280.7 million) in the first half, accelerating nearly 10 percent in the April to June period alone.
First-half net profit totalled 107 million euros, practically the same as a year ago and just above an average forecast of 105 million euros in a Reuters poll of analysts.
Revenue edged up 1.1 percent to 1.02 billion euros, compared with a mean forecast of just over 1 billion euros in the Reuters poll, while earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), a key measure of cash flow, rose about 7 percent to 298 million euros, compared with 287 million euros in the poll.
Cimpor stocks had closed 0.7 percent lower at 5.19 euros, underperforming the broader market in Lisbon, down 0.1 percent. ($1=.6983 Euro) (Reporting by Shrikesh Laxmidas, writing by Andrei Khalip; editing by Karen Foster)