The Annual General Assembly of Shareholders of HERACLES GENERAL CEMENT COMPANY S.A. was held today, Friday 27 June 2003, in Athens. The shareholders approved the Directors? report and the financial results of the Company for the year 2002. They also approved the distribution of dividend of euro 0.30 for 2002, increased by 100% compared to the dividend for 2001. The beneficiaries of the dividend are all shareholders of the Company by the end of the session of the Athens Stock Exchange on 27 June 2002. The payment of dividend will commence on Monday 28 July 2003. During the Annual General Assembly, Albert Corcos, Managing Director of Heracles, emphasized that the main objective of the management is the modernisation of Heracles Group through the reduction of production and operating costs. According to Mr. Corcos the focus on the core business and the implementation of performance programs aiming at cost reduction will improve further the profitability of the Group. The first quarter of 2003 was adversely affected by the exceptionally bad weather conditions that prevailed in the whole country and the ensuing decrease of domestic sales volume. This decrease however is not regarded as indicative for the course of 2003 annual sales since in April and May significant sales volume was recovered. Within the frame of corporate governance adopted by Heracles, the shareholders elected Mr. Dimitrios Danilatos and Mr.Jacques Gani, Managing Director of Aluminium de Grece, as independent members of the Board of Directors of Heracles G.C.Co.SA. HERACLES Group of Companies, a member of Lafarge, has 3 cement plants in Greece. One in Volos, which is the largest cement plant in Europe, one in Milaki Evia and one in Halkis Evia. The total production capacity of the Group is 9.6 million tonnes annually which makes it the largest cement producer in Greece. HERACLES Group owns a number of subsidiary companies that are active in the production and sale of ready-mix and aggregate products (Lafarge Beton), construction and installment of metallic constructions, industrial automation and production control systems, transportation and research and development. In 2002, Heracles posted sales of euro 558 million. Lafarge is the world leader in building materials, and employs 77,000 people in 75 countries. The Group holds top-ranking positions in all four of its Divisions: Cement, Aggregates & Concrete, Roofing and Gypsum. Lafarge posted sales of euro 14.6 billion in 2002.