In the $3.4bn IT market, OKI Printing Solutions appoints AL-EQTESSAD M.D. as its new partner

Riyadh-KSA, 5thJuly 2009 - OKI Printing Solutions, the leader in the global colour printing market, has named Al EQTESSAD Machines Division its distributor in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. According to the agreement, AL-EQTESSAD Machines Division is to provide sales and service support for OKI brand of printers, copiers, scanners and fax machines in Saudi Arabia. Serving the market for over 35 years, AL-EQTESSAD M.D. has more than 120 professionals throughout its three branches in Saudi Arabia and it has built an excellent reputation as a reliable and efficient sales and service organization.

According to Business Monitor International Saudi Arabia has the biggest IT market in the Gulf region, with a value of US$3.4bn in 2008 expected to rise to US$5.6bn by 2013. Despite an economic slowdown, Saudi Arabia's IT market has a number of positive factors to help it avoid stagnation, including fairly resilient consumer demand, and ongoing infrastructure projects in major verticals such as oil and gas, power, education and telecoms.

It has been reported that the market of multifunctional devices and printers segment has seen a growth of 29% in Q1 2009, quarter on quarter. "Saudi Arabia is one of the vital markets in the region that provides great opportunities for business growth." said John Ross, general manager, Middle East, India, North East Africa, OKI Printing Solutions. "The current IT environment in the Kingdom encourages us to expand our business plans and look into increasing our market share especially with the present ongoing infrastructure projects and the government support to  the IT developments such as the e-government."

Ross added, "AL-EQTESSAD MD has established a reputation as a professional and dynamic provider of printing solutions with a consistent and impressive track record of business growth. With its market knowledge and understanding of customers needs, AL-EQTESSAD MD represents the ideal partner for OKI. We are looking forward to our collaboration and with their existing network of offices, and local market reach, in the corporate, educational and government sector, we hope to grow OKI's market share and answer the needs of a wider clientele base."

AL-EQTESSAD MD has offices in Dammam, Riyadh and Jeddah; these three locations have full fledged sales and service teams which cater to the customer requirements across the whole country.

"We are very excited to have OKI products in our portfolio. OKI is a strong brand and we foresee good demand for the product range in Saudi Arabia. We will leverage our existing relationships in the industry to develop mutually benefiting propositions for the two companies" said Mr. Philippe Husni, Business Advisor, AL-EQTESSAD MD. "So far we were lacking a strong product in the low to medium volume color printing segment. This will now be filled up with OKI products. Color is the fastest growing segment in our industry and it is vital for us to have strong product assortment", he added.

AL-EQTESSAD M. D. already represents some of the most prestigious brands in the office automation segment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. They will extend their professional approach in handling sales and service support for OKI printers starting 1st July, 2009.

For further information about OKI visit www.okime.ae    

OKI Printing Solutions is the brand name of Oki Data Corporation

Annual turnover for Oki Data Corporation is 187.1 billion yen (approx. $1.6bn, FY06)

OKI Printing Solutions' sales are divided between 50% EMEA, 24% Americas, 17% Asia and Oceania and 9% Others

OKI Printing Solutions is represented in 120 countries worldwide

Oki Electric, established in 1881, is a Japanese electronics manufacturer with an annual turnover of 718.8 billion yen (approx. $6.1bn, FY06)

Oki Electric employs approx. 21,380 people throughout the world with 6,975 employees outside Japan

More details on Oki Electric can be found at www.oki.com

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About AL-EQTESSAD
AL-EQTESSAD Holding Co. is a comprehensive office solutions provider from office furniture to printing solution that translates cutting edge printing technologies into viable business solutions. Founded in 1976, the company started the machines division in 1980 and since then it has acquired some of the most prestigious brands like Océ, Panasonic, Epson, HP, Contex and OKI, under its portfolio. With a team of more than 120 professionals spread across its three branches the sales and service professionals operate as consultants ensuring optimal printing environment for its customers. Headquartered out of Riyadh, AL-EQTESSAD MD also has branch offices in Dammam and Jeddah.

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© Press Release 2009