IDC Q3 2005 places HP in prime position in region

According to IDC figures for Q3 2005, HP leads the regional desktop and mobile computer space, with 15.4 per cent market share for desktops and notebooks, more than four per cent ahead of the nearest competitor.

HP also ranks top of the PC market in all countries across the Middle East, with market leading combined figures for desktop and notebooks in the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the Gulf States.

Overall figures placed HP number one in the desktop space, with an unsurpassed 58.1 per cent growth, three times the market growth rate, and a total market share of 12.7 per cent, nearly five per cent more than the next competitor. HP also achieved 63.8 per cent growth in the notebook space that claimed first place in the UAE, Egypt and Rest of the Middle East.

In a related achievement, HP's growth has also been ranked among the highest in the region in the workstation category, with record growth of 115 per cent. Anil Gandhi, General Manager, Personal Systems Group, HP Middle East attributes HP's consistent success to several reasons. "HP has been experiencing phenomenal growth across all countries in the region, and it is reflective of our responsiveness to changes in the marketplace, and our strengths in interacting with customers and partners.

"HP's ongoing Middle East projects in the Education Sector in Oman, Kuwait, Jordan, the UAE and KSA are deemed successful not simply because of HP winning the contracts, but because they are backed by our support and commitment at all stages of implementation - before, during and after sales - leading to horizontal growth with existing customers," he explained.

Commenting on the impressive performance of HP desktops in the region, notably the phenomenal growth in Saudi over last year, Gandhi added: "HP is generating tremendous results in the Kingdom. I stand by my comments at GITEX that our 'Made in Saudi Arabia' products rolling out of our local Assembly Plant are a major factor in our success. We will continue to aggressively pursue new opportunities to grow our market share across all Form Factors and stay ahead of our competitors. The commitment and innovation that HP is bringing to the Middle East is unmatched, and we look forward to increasing market leadership in 2006 as we bring new products and new dynamism to our increasing base of loyal customers and channel partners."

Meanwhile, HP recently purchased Compaq Services Saudi Arabia (CSSA) and renamed it HP Services Saudi Arabia, as further evidence to develop its business in the Kingdom. "We are investing heavily in the Middle East with a view to get closer to our customers and partners and to be more agile and flexible in our offerings to them," he added. Gandhi highlighted that the HP assembly plant in Saudi recently celebrated the second anniversary of its 'Made in Saudi Arabia' brand of desktops.