Computer-sector sales forecast to drop 50 percent in Argentina
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Buenos Aires, Mar 08, 2002 (EFE via COMTEX) -- Sales in the computer industry, one of the fastest-growing at the global level, will fall 50 percent in Argentina in 2002, primarily because of the devaluation of the peso, a consulting firm forecast on Friday.
Argentina's computing sector, which posted $3.46 billion in sales in 2000 and $2.47 million in 2001, will earn barely $1.31 billion in 2002 - a 52-percent decrease - according to the company Trends Consulting/IDC.
The report, which appeared in the Buenos Aires press on Friday, says software sales can be expected to drop 53 percent, hardware should plunge 57 percent and related services, such as installation and consulting, may tumble 46 percent.
In 2001, software sales dropped 9 percent, hardware, 34 percent and services, 4 percent.
"We sell in dollars. We can't sell a Windows program for less here than in another country," Axel Steinman, director of Microsoft's Argentina subsidiary, explained.
When the Argentine peso was devalued in January, the price of computer products in pesos doubled. Curbs on transferring money abroad also made it difficult to import products, leading to shortages.
The industry may also suffer the consequences of customers deciding to opt for cheaper products. |
