The combined half-year accounts of engineering and consultancy firms Royal Haskoning and DHV showed a 9 per cent increase in profit in the face of economic uncertainty and the recent merger of the two companies.

Both former companies contributed equally to an operating profit (EBITA) of €13.9 million over the first six months of 2012. Net result in the same period was €7.2 million, up from €6.6 million year on year.

Revenue for the six months to June 2012 declined by 10 per cent to €362 million, 4 per cent of which was due to the divestment of a Canadian subsidiary, the company said. The rest of the decrease was blamed on “difficult economic circumstances” with some restructuring being implemented in the first half of 2012.

The company said that in the Netherlands and the UK the public sector market remained difficult in combination with prices being affected by downward pressure.

The firm, which is a major global player in the maritime and water sectors, sees growth opportunities away from Europe – India, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, South Africa and Brazil are earmarked as growth markets.

On the project front, the first full-scale municipal sewage treatment plant using Nereda energy saving technology was opened in Epe, the Netherlands, in May. The company said that the Nereda concept had attracted international attention and was growing steadily in and outside the Netherlands.

Royal HaskoningDHV, which employs 8000 staff in 100 offices globally, expects continuing economic pressure in the regions and market sectors in which the company is active, but is looking to benefit from the increased market opportunities presented through the merger.