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PC sales in Arab world grew by 25 per cent

According to it, PC shipment to the region increased from 270,000 to 337,000 units last year.

Data released by the DWTC showed that Saudi Arabia topped the region with 104,000 units, followed by Egypt with 100,000 and the United Arab Emirates with 41,000. Other important markets are Kuwait (28,000 units), Lebanon (25,000), Bahrain and Oman (10,000 each) and Yemen (5,000).

The figures were given out by the DWTC ahead of this year's Giftex, the premier information technology exhibition in the region, slated to be held in Dubai from October 29 to November 2. Over 420 exhibitors from 32 countries, including India, are expected to participate.

The DWTC said several leading PC manufacturers and resellers are planning to introduce a new range of innovative PCs at competitive prices this year. Other sources say top companies have cut prices by 15 to 25 per cent and launched models at attractive prices to boost summer sales.

Market figures indicate that 20 per cent of PCs sold went to the SOHO or 'small office home office' market. "The Internet too creates a large number of new business and helps in reducing the barriers of entry into this market. All these parameters predict an increase in the size of the SOHO market," a DWTC spokesman said. He expects market leaders to further reduce prices, which will help to generate more volumes.

"As prices of components (RAM, hard disks, processors) continue to decline, PC prices are expected to follow the same trend," Joseph Hanania, Compaq's marketing manager, said.

- Compiled from the Indian media

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