Laptops, LCDs sold like hotcakes at computer fair-2008
Sunday, 30 November 2008
Mehdi Musharraf Bhuiyan
Compact and portable new generation digital technologies; especially the laptops and the LCDs have ruled the roost at the recently held computer fair, 'BCS ICT World 2008' that ended in the city on November 22.
It was the largest multidimensional international event in the history of ICT of Bangladesh. At the 5-day show, around 76 local and multinational companies, showcased the latest in their wide spectrum of computer and IT related digital accessories.
The IT gala had drawn around 20,000 visitors from all segments of the society. Especially, the younger generation buyers, gathered in large numbers in the show, which was themed "Towards Digital Bangladesh".
"This ICT show was not meant for business purposes solely. Our main aim was to familiarise the young generation with the latest development in the ICT world," Mustafa Jabbar, President of Bangladesh Computer Samity (BCS), the organiser of the event told FE.
The endeavour was a total success. There was good response from the buyers for compact and portable computer technologies and accessories like laptop computers, LCD monitors and pen drives.
Different brands of small screen laptop computers, in particular, drew huge response from the buyers. The better-known brand names like Acer, Asus, Dell and HP had the largest chunk.
The price of the laptops ranged from Tk. 25,000 to Tk. 175,000. But those ranging from Tk. 40,000 to 50,000 had the greatest demand.
"Since entering the Bangladeshi market two years ago, we have been able to bring down the price level of the laptop computers in the local market significantly by offering these portable computers at well below Tk. 50,000," said Asif Iqbal, who sells the global brand Acer. Acer's 8.9-inch model, Netbook Aspire 1, sold for Tk. 39,800 has received jovial attention.
The sell of laptop computers in the local market went up over the last one or two years, with an estimated growth of around 60 per cent. Its increasing demand was witnessed at the latest fair, said Mostafa Jobbar. "Apart from being light and compact, this small portable computer is the best option for young people especially the students," he added.
Also in great demand was the state-of-the-art computer display unit aka LCDs. This smart digital innovation, which replaced its large non-flat CRT predecessors with light, compact display devices were sold at prices ranging from Tk. 12,000 to Tk. 22,000. One could choose from a wide variety of brands, Samsung, Phillips or Dell.
Very much like laptops, these LCD screens are also in big demand lately in the local market with many of the institutions and offices now replacing the old desktops with the brand new LCDs, said Anas of Smart Technologies (BD) Ltd., an authorised distributor of Samsung- one of the leaders in the global and local LCD market.
Apart from different brands of PCs and laptops, large sales of other digital accessories and equipments and the digital cameras, in particular were reported. The price of digital cameras ranged from Tk. 9,000 to Tk. 30,000. But some particular models of the world renowned brand Canon, especially its Poweshot 580 and 590 sold for Tk. 13,000 and Ixus 80 for Tk. 19,000 were in great demand.
A good number of these wide varieties of computers and computer related equipment and digital accessories were available at prices significantly lower than the prevailing market rates. The special prices boosted their sales. Many of the companies made attractive offers with large discounts for their goods.
Despite the global economic turmoil, Bangladesh's IT market, driven domestic demand, is growing. Now, the government should respond by removing import duties on all sorts of computer and Internet equipment to make them more affordable to the common people, especially the young ones, Mostafa Jabbar suggested.
Compact and portable new generation digital technologies; especially the laptops and the LCDs have ruled the roost at the recently held computer fair, 'BCS ICT World 2008' that ended in the city on November 22.
It was the largest multidimensional international event in the history of ICT of Bangladesh. At the 5-day show, around 76 local and multinational companies, showcased the latest in their wide spectrum of computer and IT related digital accessories.
The IT gala had drawn around 20,000 visitors from all segments of the society. Especially, the younger generation buyers, gathered in large numbers in the show, which was themed "Towards Digital Bangladesh".
"This ICT show was not meant for business purposes solely. Our main aim was to familiarise the young generation with the latest development in the ICT world," Mustafa Jabbar, President of Bangladesh Computer Samity (BCS), the organiser of the event told FE.
The endeavour was a total success. There was good response from the buyers for compact and portable computer technologies and accessories like laptop computers, LCD monitors and pen drives.
Different brands of small screen laptop computers, in particular, drew huge response from the buyers. The better-known brand names like Acer, Asus, Dell and HP had the largest chunk.
The price of the laptops ranged from Tk. 25,000 to Tk. 175,000. But those ranging from Tk. 40,000 to 50,000 had the greatest demand.
"Since entering the Bangladeshi market two years ago, we have been able to bring down the price level of the laptop computers in the local market significantly by offering these portable computers at well below Tk. 50,000," said Asif Iqbal, who sells the global brand Acer. Acer's 8.9-inch model, Netbook Aspire 1, sold for Tk. 39,800 has received jovial attention.
The sell of laptop computers in the local market went up over the last one or two years, with an estimated growth of around 60 per cent. Its increasing demand was witnessed at the latest fair, said Mostafa Jobbar. "Apart from being light and compact, this small portable computer is the best option for young people especially the students," he added.
Also in great demand was the state-of-the-art computer display unit aka LCDs. This smart digital innovation, which replaced its large non-flat CRT predecessors with light, compact display devices were sold at prices ranging from Tk. 12,000 to Tk. 22,000. One could choose from a wide variety of brands, Samsung, Phillips or Dell.
Very much like laptops, these LCD screens are also in big demand lately in the local market with many of the institutions and offices now replacing the old desktops with the brand new LCDs, said Anas of Smart Technologies (BD) Ltd., an authorised distributor of Samsung- one of the leaders in the global and local LCD market.
Apart from different brands of PCs and laptops, large sales of other digital accessories and equipments and the digital cameras, in particular were reported. The price of digital cameras ranged from Tk. 9,000 to Tk. 30,000. But some particular models of the world renowned brand Canon, especially its Poweshot 580 and 590 sold for Tk. 13,000 and Ixus 80 for Tk. 19,000 were in great demand.
A good number of these wide varieties of computers and computer related equipment and digital accessories were available at prices significantly lower than the prevailing market rates. The special prices boosted their sales. Many of the companies made attractive offers with large discounts for their goods.
Despite the global economic turmoil, Bangladesh's IT market, driven domestic demand, is growing. Now, the government should respond by removing import duties on all sorts of computer and Internet equipment to make them more affordable to the common people, especially the young ones, Mostafa Jabbar suggested.