LG plans to tap Dubai's advantages

Seoul: South Korea's LG Electronics will soon launch a feasibility study on setting up a high-end television (plasma and LCD) assembly line in Dubai to supplement its output from Cairo.

"Dubai is witnessing a construction boom. Moreover, more than 50,000 hotel rooms are ready and the number is rising everyday. This offers a good expansion opportunity for us in the field of digital display television," said John H. Lee, deputy general manager of Digital Display TV Sales and Marketing Group, Middle East and Africa.

"In Dubai, we will concentrate mainly on commercial business. We will also target the high-income group with our advanced digital display TVs," he said.

Lee Dubai offers significant cost advantages in its free zones, which is also a big reason to look closely at the emirate for setting up a unit. "We have been thinking of several venues for our new assembly line, but Dubai is the strongest contender."

Lee, however, refused to give details of capacity or investment. "It is too early to say. We are a market leader in Dubai in the field of digital display TVs with a 30 per cent share. This year we have revised our target to 35 per cent."