HP regains number one position in the mobile market in the ME

Paving the way for the biggest IT exhibition in the Middle East, HP confirmed today its leadership in the mobile space pulling in at 22% market share with the second runner-up 4% below HP market share. Combined market share in the Middle East for desktops and mobile is 16.6%, almost double that of the nearest competitor which has 8.8%. In desktop alone, HP continues its lead across the region with 13.7% market share.

HP also led the mobile space in the UAE capturing 25.5% of the market and achieved 31.1% in the desktop space. Leadership was also the name of the game in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia this quarter: HP achieved 31% of the combined desktop and mobile market and an astounding 42% of the desktop space, attributed primarily to the success of the HP assembly plant launched in the Kingdom two years ago.

Confirming HP's number one ranking in the mobile space in the UAE, Anil Gandhi, the newly appointed General Manager, Personal Systems Group, HP Middle East said, "The HP team have done an excellent job of regaining market leadership in Q2, as promised earlier this year. Backed by a strong sales team and channel network as well as our newly launched notebooks and iPAQ portfolios, we are confident that we can extend and grow this leadership position.

"Our growth in the mobile space is 157%, year-on-year from Q2 04 to Q2 05, and we are well positioned to stay ahead of the mobile revolution, providing user-friendly solutions to visitors and partners during GITEX. Our figures in the desktop space are testimony to the success of our HP PC assembly plant, launched over two years ago. 'Home-grown' HP desktops, with the 'Made in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia' stamp, have contributed tremendously to our overall success," Gandhi added.

Commenting on HP's successful solutions partner organisation strategy and an increased focus on the North African market Anil Gandhi added that a dedicated channel network and the right partners are key to achieving targets across the region. "In Egypt, we also managed to steal the limelight achieving over 15% market share. In the desktop space, HP achieved a 13.9% market share, also in prime position," Gandhi added.

On an EMEA level, HP also led the market pulling in at 16.7% marketshare for the combined mobile and desktop space, delivering over 20% year-on-year growth.