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Sections News Editorial/Opinion Cover Choice Arts & Life Business Politics Sports   Subscription Form Click here         Daily Independent Online.         * Wednesday, June 16, 2004. HP earns N35b in Nigeria Shina Badaru IT.Telecom Editor Another evidence of a thriving information technology (IT) market in Nigeria was offered on Tuesday when Hewlett Packard (HP), a United States-based computer maker, declared that it earned over $250 million (N35 billion) in the first five years of setting up shop in Africa’s second largest economy. The sum represents gross income; it also recorded a 15.5 per cent growth during the period. HP has a global market of $75 billion. Its Country Manager (Nigeria), Maduka Emelife, said in Lagos that to consolidate the local market share, the company is working with the Nigeria Customs and other agencies to begin raids of HP products at various ports of entry so as to stamp out “gray market” importation of its products. The raids will mark the final phase of ongoing enlightenment campaigns to enable consumers identify counterfeit HP products imported through unauthorised channels. According to Emelife, rival global brands have so far failed to match its local earnings because of “half-hearted commitment” to the Nigerian market. HP plans to open a $1 million service centre stocked with parts valued at $2 million to enhance support to local channels. Two others, in Abuja and Port Harcourt, are to be created before the end of year “to deepen skills and competence in complex solutions.” Besides, it plans next month to donate a 50-seat laboratory to the Institute of Electrical, Electronics Engineering of the University of Ibadan, complete with hardware and software solutions. HP General Manager (Africa) Olivier Suinat said, “We don’t subscribe to Afro pessimism,” something that has scared away investors and deprived the continent of foreign direct investment (FDI). Rival IBM has been divesting from many locations and sending “representatives” to fly in and do business in Nigeria, he added. However, HP faces local challenges of skilled workforce and infrastructure, among others, that its European counterparts have long forgotten.       Copyright� 2002. All Rights Reserved Independent Newspapers Limited Block5, Plot 7D, Wempco Road, Ogba, P.M.B. 21777, Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria. www.dailyindependentng.com e-mail: [email protected]

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