KIEV, Aug. 28 - Most of Ukraine's larger steel mills posted a surge in profit and sales in the first half of 2008, Interfax reported, citing a government source.

ArcelorMittal Kryviy Rih, the biggest steel mill, boosted pretax profit 66.5% year-on-year to UAH4.267 billion.

Output in current prices rose 44.9% to UAH13.242 billion and net revenue rose 46.1% to UAH13.43 billion, including UAH9.546 billion from exports, up 38.5%. The sales margin rose to 52.93% in the first half of 2008, from 48.38% a year previously. Receivables grew 94% during the half to UAH8.59 billion and payables soared 6.1-fold to UAH 6.88 billion. ArcelorMittal Kryviy Rih reduced finished roll production 3% year-on-year in the half to 3.469 million tons.