Panasonic aims 30 pc jump in sales next fiscal

New Delhi, Dec 24: Panasonic Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, the 100 per cent subsidiary of Japan-based Panasonic, aims to garner sales of Rs 143 crore in fiscal 2007-2008 from Rs 110 crore during the current fiscal, representing a growth of 30 per cent.

''Last year, the company registered 23 per cent sales growth, and we expect it to grow further by 30 per cent in the next financial year to Rs 143 crore,'' Panasonic Asia Country Head Anil Rijhwani has said.

Mr Rijhwani said the company would also increase its number of primary as well as secondary partners by the end of fourth quarter of the current fiscal.

''We are planning to increase primary partners from the present seven to ten, and the number of secondary partners up to 350 from 240 currently by March-end next year,'' he said.

The company last week launched its new biometric security products -- Iris Recognition Camera and Interactive Panaboard -- priced at Rs 2.5 lakh and Rs 2 lakh respectively.

The products are available through the authorised dealer and distribution network.

Mr Rijhwani added that the company was ''constantly in touch with various ministries'' and hopes to nab a contract for security products from the government before March next year.

Earlier this month, the company said it would develop specialised software for its communications hardware, including IP telephones, in the country. The software will be initially sold in the country and later will be bundled with solutions marketed the world over.

Presently, nearly all the software that goes into its hardware is developed in Japan.

UNI