DANUBE Building Materials has launched a 7,500-sq-ft Buildmart retail store offering 15,000 products as part of its expansion in Abu Dhabi, with one more outlet set to be opened at Dalma Mall which will be biggest among all the retail branches.

The new Buildmart is enjoying growing patronage among contractors, joineries and architects for stocking a complete range of home interiors and building materials. This includes chandeliers, light fittings, wallpapers, venetian blinds, luxury bathroom fittings, shower rooms, massage bathtubs, parquet flooring, ceramic/gres porcelain wall and flooring tiles, and architectural hardware, in addition to a ‘Design Centre’ where professionals give expert advice to customers on the best products, design materials and other design-related inquiries.
Danube Building Materials is seeking to tap a potential increase in demand for construction and building materials in the capital, as Abu Dhabi was expected to award $7 billion worth of construction contracts by the end of last year.
“Demand is being driven primarily by the Abu Dhabi government’s consumption and its unwavering efforts to promote the emirate as a leading business and tourism hub via improvements in infrastructure and major construction projects,” said Danube’s chairman Rizwan Sajan. “With the launch of Buildmart, we are anticipating increased orders from major clients whom we have forged strategic partnerships, since the launch of our flagship store in the capital. We are gearing up to address this demand, as part of our comprehensive expansion plan that covers the entire GCC.”
In addition to the government’s direct focus on construction to address the burgeoning requirement for built space, another factor that is driving Abu Dhabi’s construction activities and the demand for building materials is the emirate’s aims to increase its foreign direct investment (FDI).
Of this, real estate and rents account for the largest share at approximately Dh11.84 billion ($3.22 billion) or 38 per cent of the total FDI figure, according to the company.