High rates of growth in Russia

Currently around 85 to 90 per cent of products available in Russian DIY stores are imported from other countries. The vital criterion for buyers is the quality of the goods, in the opinion of the organisers of Flooring Russia, which is due to take place in Moscow from 2 to 4 November 2004. According to information from this source, approximately 40 per cent of the country’s middle-class families are planning to improve their housing situation in the near future. The size of the building materials market is estimated at US $ three bn (€ 2.5 bn) for the year 2003 with growth rates of between ten and 15 per cent. GDP is expected to grow by six to seven per cent in the current financial year.