Apple opens branch in Philippines

Apple opens branch in Philippines

MANILA (AFP): Apple Computer Inc. said yesterday it is to open a wholly-owned subsidiary in the Philippines to take advantage of the market opportunities here.

"As the Philippines is one of Apple South Asia's fastest growing markets, there is tremendous potential for Apple here," Samit Roy, managing director of Apple Computer South Asia Pte. Ltd. said in a statement.

He told an audience at the unit's launch that the decision to set up the subsidiary, the sixth in the Asia-Pacific region, showed the troubled US firm's "faith" in the Philippine economy, where economic growth has been slowing down due to a region-wide financial crisis.

Local enthusiasts of the firm's acclaimed but increasingly dated Macintosh operating system attended the launching ceremony here. The subsidiary will start operations next month.

Roy said Apple Philippines Inc. would concentrate on its strengths on graphics, multi-media, education, and desktop publishing.

The unit would continue to work with Distributed Processing Systems Inc. which will remain as its exclusive distributor here, he said.

Roy declined to disclose his company's total Philippine investment, saying only that "they (critics) should never think that Apple is about to go down." He said they still have to hire a country director.

Apple's office will employ mostly people recruited locally and will eventually serve as the educational support center for major regional markets, company officials said.

During the launch the company auctioned off a limited edition Apple computer which fetched 240,000 pesos (6,808 dollars) from an unidentified bidder.