28 December 2009
Danube BUILDMART aiming to expand design centre and interior related products to leverage burgeoning market

The UAE is expected to spend AED 53.8 billion for interior design contracting and fit-outs by 2010, which reflects a significant increase from the 2008 levels, revealed a recent industry study. Eyeing the prospects within the burgeoning market, Danube Building Materials, the leader in construction, building materials and shop fitting industries, has announced plans to expand its Danube BUILDMART chain of retail stores and its range of design and interior products to leverage the burgeoning market. The company has recently opened its newest Danube BUILDMART branch in Fujairah and in Dubai Festival City, which marks the company's first-ever retail showroom in a mall, and has announced plans to open similar branches in Ibn Battuta Mall in Dubai, Dalma Mall in Abu Dhabi and Bawadi Mall in Al Ain.

Amidst the recession, the UAE remains a leader in the region in the construction arena, accounting for 66 per cent of all new projects in the GCC, which are valued at an estimated USD 149 billion. As the country expects the completion of high-end and middle-income residential properties until 2012, Danube is gearing up to address the need for high-quality interior design products including hard finishes such as floorings, ceilings and walls, which usually account for an average of 15 to 20 per cent of the total project value; and fit-outs including furniture and fixtures, electrical, kitchen and laundry works, which comprise an estimated 5 to 8 per cent.

"As we anticipate the completion of many construction projects in the UAE, we are covering all bases by strengthening our range of design and interior products, which we expect to witness significant demand once these developments approach their final construction stages," said Rizwan Sajan, Chairman, Danube Building Materials. "The current market scenario bodes well for Danube BUILDMART, which we intend to build as a brand that offers the widest array of interior fittings and furniture to local customers. We are confident that our plans for further expansion will be met with a positive response from the UAE and regional market."

Danube BUILDMART offers over 15,000 products within twenty four different sections, including chandeliers, Venetian blinds, light fittings, lawn and garden, curtains, carpets, home décor, kitchens, bathroom, tiles, shower rooms, Jacuzzis and flooring for ceramic and wood; and a 'Design Centre', where customers can acquire consultation and after sales services from Danube's interior design experts. Products such as ceilings, doors, wallpapers, designed glasses, marble, wall panelling and different finishes of laminates are also displayed in an actual home setting for an easy and convenient shopping experience. At present, there are five retail outlets under the 'Danube BUILDMART' banner, which are located in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE; in addition to the outlets in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

"Leveraging our tremendous success across the country, we are currently finalising our plans for the launch of a flagship branch along Sheikh Zayed Road. While expansion plans in the UAE continue to be one of our priorities, we are also actively seeking for new destinations for the Danube brand across the region. Having successfully established the Danube name in a leading regional market such as the UAE and other GCC countries, we are more than ready to take on the rest of the region and grow our business by addressing the needs and challenges of new markets," concluded Sajan.

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About Danube Building Materials FZCO
Established in 1993, Danube Building Materials FZCO provides more than 15,000 products in stock and in-house value added services in all of its 14 showrooms across the UAE. The company operates from its head offices - a 285,000 square foot facility in Jafza north and a 365,000 square feet base in Jafza south, which houses its logistics centre, kiln drying facility, factory and warehouses. From a small trading firm, Danube has grown into one of the largest building materials company in the region, with eight branches in the UAE, two in Oman, one in Bahrain, two in China and one in India. Danube has a team of 1000 people working from strategic locations in across the Emirates, including Jebel Ali, Deira and Abu Dhabi. The company has been and is currently involved in major projects across the UAE, Oman and Bahrain, including Emirates Hills, the Burj Al Arab, Shangri-La Hotel, Grand Hyatt, Motor City, Burj Dubai, Dubai Airport Terminal 3, Yas Island, Reem Island, Saadiyat Island, and Al Raha Beach Hotel, among others. 

For more information, please contact:
CommuniGate Middle East
PO Box 66861, Dubai, UAE
Tel: +971 4 3988134
Fax: +971 4 3988137
Email: info@communigateme.com
Website: www.communigateme.com

© Press Release 2009