Apple boosts market share

Apple boosts market share

SINGAPORE (AFP): Apple Computer Inc. said yesterday its Asian market share should double by 2000 due to a business strategy change and a boost to consumer confidence from its bailout by nemesis Microsoft Corp.

Apple's managing director for Asia-Pacific Steven Vamos said the troubled company's sole manufacturing center in Singapore would diversify into other business areas as part of the strategy shift.

Other changes would see Apple beefing up its Asian presence in the publishing and education sectors, areas where it is already strong, and farming out more work to local contractors and suppliers in the region to fuel growth.

"The biggest impact the new Apple-Microsoft relationship will have in Asia is addressing concerns about consumer confidence," Vamos told a news conference here.