The New Nation - Internet Edition

HP recently reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to Bangladesh through specialized business programs and initiatives in order to leverage on the latest consumer and business trends.

"HP is set to continue delivering what the Bangladesh market wants," said Prasenjit Sarkar, General Manager, Personal Systems Group, Hewlett-Packard Asia Emerging Countries

"It is a rapidly emerging and growing marketplace, and with our end-to-end expertise in consumer and business devices and solutions across all segments, HP is well-poised to remain as the technology brand of choice here," he said.

The key drivers of growth for the personal computing business include the continued user preference towards mobility, greater adoption of international brands, and increasing consumer demand for PCs and notebooks.

HP identified mobility as a key strategic growth area in part because it has the industry's broadest range of offerings for mobile computing - products and partnerships.

On the local front, HP has demonstrated its commitment to the Bangladesh market through a series of significant initiatives during 2007 by:

- Strengthening the local channel network through the appointment of a new Corporate Reseller and a new Authorized Service Delivery Partner;

- Launching the new entry-level business desktop, the HP dx2290 / Tk 34999, which is designed specifically in Asia for Asian emerging markets, as well as a new business notebook, the HP520 / Tk 56288. Both were offered at breakthrough price-points designed for entry-level SMB customers;

- Launching new entry-level consumer desktops such as the HP Pavilion g3118l / Tk 34900, and consumer notebooks such as the Compaq Presario c702 / Tk 48700 at compelling price points;

- Expanding the countrywide channel network to serve customers better. HP currently has 66 Commercial HP Business Partners and 100 Consumer HP Business Partners in Bangladesh;

- Appointing a HP Pavilion Desktop Warranty Support Provider with service centres in Dhaka and Chittagong;

- Establishing stronger HP and Compaq brand identities at several retail outlets in Dhaka and Chittagong;

- Conducting special purchase programs for the education segment at selected universities in Dhaka and Jahangirnagar;

- Conducting special promotions during Eid-ul-Adha, Eid-ul-Fitr, Bengali New Year and other high points in the Bangladesh cultural calendar.

"Clearly HP will be maintaining its focus on the Bangladesh market through more on-the-ground initiatives, specialized customer promotions and partner programs. We are well-poised to drive the growth of the PC and notebook market here," concluded Prasenjit.

HP focuses on simplifying technology experiences for all of its customers - from individual consumers to the largest businesses. With a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure, HP is among the world's largest IT companies, with revenue totaling $107.7 billion for the four fiscal quarters ended Jan. 31, 2008. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at www.hp.com.