The aggregate sales of BasicNet’s licensees rose by 3.4 percent in 2009 to €316.0 million thanks to a more than 23.0 percent surge in Asia and 18.0 percent growth in the Middle East and Africa, according to preliminary results.

The group’s performance in the fourth quarter reversed the negative trend registered in the first nine months of the year when aggregate sales slipped by 0.3 percent to €239.1 million due to a change in licensee in Brazil. Revenues were also affected by the weakness of all South American currencies against the dollar and euro, as well as the slide of the British pound, the Turkish lira and the South Korean won.

BasicNet ended the year with a 10.0 percent increase in consolidated sales to €155.0 million. Direct revenues generated by its units BasicItalia and RdK0 were up by 10.7 percent to €128.0 million. These units achieve the bulk of their sales in Italy. Royalty income and purchase commissions jumped by 6.2 percent to €26.0 million.

Ebitda reached €31.5 million and Ebit €25.0 million, in line with the previous year. But in 2008, Basicnet benefited from a legal settlement that bloated Ebitda and Ebit by €3.3 million. On a comparable basis, last year’s Ebitda and Ebit rose by 10.5 percent and 13.4 percent, respectively, compared with 2008.

Last year, the group raised advertising and sponsorship expenses by 25.0 percent to €3.5 million. Pre-tax profits were up by 9.0 percent to €21.9 million and net profits rose by 6.5 percent to €16.5 million. BasicNet reduced its net debt to €59.3 million at the end of 2009 from €63.2 million a year earlier.

At the end of the year, the company owned 2.12 million treasury shares, representing 3.48 percent of its capital. BasicItalia has reached an agreement with Italy’s largest bank, Intesa Sanpaolo, which will help finance franchisees wanting to set up a Robe di Kappa, RdK Junior, K-Way and Superga store. The group already has 150 franchised stores in Italy. The group will guarantee the financing facility granted to the franchisee, who can also obtain funds to purchase the fittings and information technology for the store.

BasicNet is due to release final full-year results on March 26.