THE mining sector's slowdown and fewer construction projects have caused a nine per cent fall in annual profit for services and engineering firm WorleyParsons. But the company is upbeat that earnings will improve in each of its divisions in the 2013/14 financial year. "The 2013 financial year saw challenging conditions for our industry in a number of our key markets," Chief executive Andrew Wood said. The reduced demand for the group's resource infrastructure services, particularly in the once buoyant Western Australia market impacted the group's infrastructure and environment sector. A drop in spending by governments in South Africa and the US also hurt that part of WorleyParsons' business. The cost of restructuring by the company, including the reduction of its staff numbers by 600, also impacted its full year profit, which was $322.1 million. But Mr Wood said the minerals, metals and chemicals sectors of WorleyParsons' business had delivered growth in the year to June. Growth in the chemicals business in particular was buoyed by increasing demand in China, Brazil and the United States. Despite forecasting uncertainty in the resources sector, the firm expects to return a higher profit in the year ahead. "While recognising the uncertainties in world markets, we expect... to provide a solid foundation to deliver increased earnings," Mr Wood said. Shareholders will receive a final unfranked dividend of 51 cents per share. WorleyParsons shares were up 80 cents, or 3.7 per cent, at $22.70.