UAE-based Danube Building Materials said it has registered a 21 per cent growth in its revenue for the first half despite the global crisis owing to its strategic expansion initiative across and beyond the Middle East region.

The growth follows the company’s impressive 25 per cent rise in revenues during 2010 in spite of the global economic crisis and projects a similar growth in 2011, taking its revenues to $435 million, said a company statement.

Danube’s increase in business can be attributed to its provision of its building materials and home interiors combined with great value and special services.

The growth also marks the success of Danube’s move to implement a strategic expansion initiative across and beyond the Middle East region, it added.

The first half saw the opening of three new Danube Building Materials Showrooms in key locations that include the sanitaryware wholesale market of Sharjah; Al Dibba and in Saudi Arabia.

The company has also revealed its plans to continue with its expansion initiatives and is looking at opening 15 more branches in strategic locations across the Middle East by 2012.

Meanwhile, Danube said it retail arm Buildmart too has witnessed a surge in its revenues for the first half.

The leading retail facility, which has found success in its introduction of a ‘one-stop-shop’ concept for home interiors and furnishings, was able to key in 46 per cent growth in 2010 and continuing with a year-on-year growth that is expected to drive in a 30 to 40 per cent increase before the end of 2011.

On the revenue growth, Rizwan Sajan, chairman of Danube Building Materials said the H1 growth clearly shows that the company is on track to meet its target of $1 billion revenue by 2015.

"The increase in revenue has also given us the confidence to look forward in reaching $435 million by year end,” he added.-TradeArabia News Service