Dunca Expeditii, a transportation and logistics company, this year plans to boost its turnover and income, as well as enter the tourism business.

Romeo Dunca, the general manager of Timisoara-based Dunca Expeditii shipping company, estimates the company will reach turnover worth 20 million euros, up 33% year-on-year, and income of around 1.3 million euros. The company last year posted turnover worth 15 million euros and income worth one million euros. In 2005, Dunca was hurt by the rising fuel prices internationally, which cut down its profit margin.

For the first five months of this year, Dunca representatives reported turnover standing at 8 million euros and net income worth around 500,000 euros.

"This year, turnover will rise due to the bigger fleet, but also to the fact that we will officially launch logistics and warehouse rental operations in August," said Dunca.

Dunca Expeditii has acquired a number of IVECO trucks worth 7 million euros through Cefin Holding company this year. The new trucks complement the company's fleet comprising over 550 vehicles. At present, approximately 40% of Dunca Expeditii's shipments go to destinations abroad, while 60% are carried out domestically.

On the other hand, around 30 million euros have been earmarked for the construction of a logistic centre in Timisoara, with the necessary financing coming from loans and the company's own resources. Thus, Dunca Expeditii will finance 20% of the total sum, with the rest of the money to be released gradually by HVB Bank.

The centre will have a total area of 17.7 hectares, of which 46,000 square metres will be used for storage space, parking lots and car service facility among others.

Works for the project that is going to be carried out in four stages were started in September 2005. The deadline was set for the end of 2007.

So far, rental