Business News of Sunday, 22 July 2012

Source: The Chronicle

Sharp, Melcom seal distribution partnership

Sharp, a global leading electronics giant has sealed a distribution partnership with Melcom Group, Ghana’s largest retailer of consumer and electronic goods, to sell Sharp products in all its 26 branches across the country.

With the partnership, Sharp pledged that the company would flood the Ghanaian market with world-leading range of electronics.

The Chairman of Sharp, Middle East and Africa, Mr. Hiroshi Sasaoka made the pledge at a press conference jointly held by Sharp and its local partner, Melcom Group.

According to Sharp, Ghana’s market is a very lucrative for them. We would provide frequent after sales support to its varying customers through its authorize distributor, Melcom Group of Companies.

Mr. Sasaoka added: “As the leader in LCD TV industry, Sharp plans to introduce products to suit all household requirements, ranging from 20 inch to 70 inch LCD TVs”.

He continued that Sharp is the only 10th generation LCD paneling manufacturer and with this the Japanese electronics maker has the advantage of technology, quality and price which translates into the most comprehensive range of LCDs for Ghana.

Attracted by Ghana’s sustainable and stable business environment, the Japanese electronics giant chose Ghana as its gateway to get to the 16-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) sub-region with its consumer electronic products.

According to him, growing household income, prosperity through good health and education and political reforms were cited as the predominant conditions which pave the way forward for customers to improve their lives through modern technologies and products.

Mr. Sasaoka added: “We believe this is an opportune time for us to indulge in business in the market, as the customers are demanding the modern lifestyle changes which our products can provide”.

Sharp which turns 100 years this year noted that innovative LCD technology that forms part of flat panel TVs are at the forefront of modern flat screen TVs as customers in Ghana and other countries need to upgrade to LCD TVs and other latest electronic products.

Sharp’s wide range of home appliances including refrigerators and microwave opens which are globally known would be made available to Ghanaians, Mr. Sasaoka said.

Touching on the partnership, the Managing Director of Melcom Group, Mr. Ramesh Sadwani stated: “We at Melcom are very excited about this marriage between us and Sharp”.

With the addition of Sharp’s wide range of products, we now have a complete offering of technologies to our customers, he added.

Melcom, a leading business conglomerate in Ghana, also caters for other brands and industries, including its own malls, plastics factory, and travel agency.

In consolidation of its brand marketing efforts, Melcom Group has signed up with legendary Ghanaian footballer, Asamoah Gyan, as its brand ambassador to represent its vast business portfolio.

Performing the launch of Sharp operations in Ghana after the press conference, the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr. Joseph S. Annan commended the Melcom Group for their dynamism and investments in the country.

He added that “Melcom is a key partner in the economic development of Ghana through job creation and payment of taxes to the government.

The Chairman of the Melcom Group, Mr. Bhagwan Khubchandani in a short statement said the decision of Melcom and Sharp to join hands would enable them provide more varieties of electronics to Ghanaians.

The Indian High Commissioner to Ghana, H.E. Mr. Rajinder Bhagat thanked the Chairman of the Melcom Group for keeping the flag of India high on Ghana soil.

The Director of Melcom Care, Mrs Sonya Sadhwani also used occasion to donate water purifiers to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.