According to PortioResearch, the total number of mobile applications users worldwide has been around 1.2 billion end of last year, and the firm believes that number will grow aggressively to reach 4.4 billion users by the end of 2017.

While in fact all regions will see growth, PortioResearch states, none will grow as fast as the Asia Pacific region (39.8%) with the number of app users to cross the 2 billion mark. This would mean that in less than 4 years almost half of the world’s regular app users will be in the Asia Pacific region.

“Developers should plan for this, and think about what those users will want in the apps they download - local languages, local services, local trends and fashions will all be important”, PortioResearch states.

So, with the launch of Duriana, a mobile-first, location-based, peer-to-peer marketplace application for Singapore, Duriana Internet Pte Ltd seems to be on the right track. The company aims to build an engaged community of users through the app while promoting the return of peer-to-peer buying and selling, reminiscent of the early days of peer-to-peer e-commerce before the emergence of power sellers.

Duriana serves as a seamless connector between like-minded individuals seeking to buy and sell handmade and pre-loved items within their immediate specified vicinity. Employing location-based technology, the app is able to uncover a treasure trove of items in the area, ranging from vintage wares to gadgets, accessories, furniture and even baby apparel. Enticingly showcased in a continuous photo stream, users can enjoy browsing the broad variety of listed items with ease.

On top of its location-based feature, the app's user-friendly interface facilitates a welcome fuss-free mobile buying and selling process. Creating an item listing is easy and sellers can do so in 30 seconds using their mobile phone's built-in camera before sharing this with their social circles. The app also features an integral messaging function that enables real-time interaction through which buyers can communicate their queries to sellers before finalizing the transaction.

Founded just last month by Alps Ventures, a leading internet incubator with offices in Singapore and Vienna, the company is spearheaded by the power duo Camilo Paredes and Amanda Ernst, the former Managing Directors of Rocket Internet in Latin America.

Camilo Paredes, co-founder of Duriana, shared: "We enjoy pre-loved treasures, searching for and finding them. Existing options are often cumbersome and dull, so we set out to bring a kind of certain flair of quality craftsmanship, real-time interaction and ease of use to Duriana, our marketplace for all things beautiful near you."

Since the app user base in Asia Pacific is booming the Duriana app, available for download on iPhone, iPad and Android systems, should have a really auspicious launch.

By MediaBUZZ