A highlight of the Gitex Cairo information technology trade show, which will take place at the Cairo International Conference Center from April 4 to 7, will be the launch Pentium 4 in Egyptian market by Intel Middle East.
According to Intel, the P4 chip reduces average Internet download times by a factor of ten, which means the speed for streaming audio and video downloads can be up to ten times faster when compared to systems featuring its predecessor, the Pentium III.
In 2000, some 300,000 PCs were sold in the Egyptian market. Roughly 70 percent of the units sold were locally assembled using imported components. Intel is therefore specifically targeting the small and medium-sized enterprises that assemble computers, recognizing the major role this sector plays in the widening Internet penetration in Egypt.
Pentium 4 sales are expected to account for 50 percent of Intel's total worldwide revenue by the end of this year, said Gilbert Lacroix, the general manager of Intel Middle East. He rejected charges that the Pentium 4 was expensive, noting that it is being sold for considerably less in the United Arab Emirates, and consequently Egypt’s tax system is the primary culprit.
"We know that current import duties are reducing the general population's access to this technology in Egypt and we are hopeful that the Egyptian government may consider implementing new policies that may help remove some of the barriers IT suppliers have in reaching Egyptian markets," Lacroix said.
Some Middle East countries that are keen to increase computer literacy among the masses have removed import duties on IT commodities, Lacroix said.
According to Lacroix, Jordan removed the import duty on information technology products about a year ago leading to substantial growth in its PC markets. Lacroix noted that a similar scenario is now unfolding in Lebanon which implemented an identical policy two months ago. — (Albawaba-MEBG)
© 2001 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
