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Samsung expects 30pc rise in sales in Oman this year

MUSCAT — The world's first air-conditioners that their manufacturer Samsung Electronics claims fight SARS, bird-flu and second infections have been launched in Oman with the company predicting that the new split-type models, plus its foray into project business, will boost sales in the Gulf by more than 30 per cent this year.

Senior officials of the South Korean firm, addressing a news conference here on Tuesday, said the Samsung patented 'Micro Plasma Ion', embedded in the new V-series, "generate active hydrogen atoms which combine with oxygen ions to strongly purify the air by decomposing viruses, bacteria and allergens."

Along with the newly launched M-Series and F-Series, the three split models are "expected to drive the growth of Samsung's Home Appliances business in the Middle East," Sang Yoon Kim, Director of Home Appliance Division at Samsung Gulf Electronics, said.

He said Samsung's share of the air-conditioners market in the Gulf, currently placed around 15 per cent, was expected to significantly rise with the launch of the new models and its entry into the region's project business market. "Our turnover in Oman more than doubled last year... We anticipate sales in Oman and all over the Gulf to record at least a 30 per cent growth this year compared to 2006," he added.

All the newly launched air-conditioners, he said, incorporated Samsung's cutting-edge technology, 'Good Sleep', that automatically adjusts the room temperature and maintains the optimum skin condition during the three stages of dormancy - 'falling sleep', 'sound asleep' and 'wake up'.

The Micro Plasma Ion technology, Kim explained, had been developed after extensive research spanning more than two years to "combat common diseases and prevent their spread."

He said for the Middle East and Africa region, the Samsung air conditioners were further equipped with the UTR (ultra tropical rotary) compressor which, he added, was a "complete trouble-solving broker in unbearably sultry areas."

Ajay Ganti, general manager of Al Seeb Technical Establishment, local distributors of Samsung Electronics, said the target was to make Samsung the "most preferred brand in each household" in Oman.