By Kim Tong-hyung
Samsung Electronics vowed a bright start for next year in the market for up-and-coming products like three dimensional (3D) and connected televisions and mobile Internet devices like smartphones and tablet computers.
The Korean technology giant will also work to improve its abilities in measuring and managing risks across world markets as financial uncertainties loom in key regions, company officials said Friday.
In its global strategy meeting between Samsung’s headquarters and its international business divisions, the company expressed high hopes to exploit the growth in the markets for 3D televisions and smartphones, which will be critical for sustaining its leadership in its main markets of consumer electronics and mobile phones.
Samsung will also look to strengthen its positions in emerging markets such as Eastern Europe and Africa, and expand to new business areas such as the solar cell industry.
``Despite the struggling economy in advanced markets, we have been able to yield positive results over the past year based on our strengths in products such as 3D televisions and smartphones. The slowing growth of the global economy and the changing paradigm in the electronics industry requires us to develop new capabilities and achieve better innovation. Strengthening our leadership in main markets by delivering differentiated value through our products, investing in next-generation businesses and improving risk management will be key,’’ Samsung Vice Chairman Choi Gee-sung was quoted as saying. Lee Jae-yong, Samsung’s newly appointed president and chief operating officer, also participated in the meeting at the company’s headquarters in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, company officials said.
The company expected the global demand for sophisticated products such as 3D and connected ``smart’’ televisions, smartphones and touch-screen computers, dubbed as tablets, to grow significantly in 2011. And with the convergence between hardware, software and services becoming crucial in the electronics competition, as evidenced by Apple’s successful experiment with i-somethings, Samsung says it will continue to increase its efforts to strengthen its software capability.
Alternative-energy related markets, such as solar cells, and healthcare, including medical devices, pharmaceuticals and bio technology, are some of the new businesses Samsung is looking to harness.
Samsung will also improve their risk management abilities at its 200 regional business branches in global markets and plan ahead to deal with the changes in markets and financial situations.
Samsung, one of the planet’s biggest technology companies, boasts a dual strength in parts and finished products, being the world’s leading maker of flat-screen televisions, liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and computer memory chips, and the runner-up vendor of mobile phones behind Nokia.