Panasonic to Sell Smartphones in 5 Developing Countries

Osaka, Aug. 15 (Jiji Press)--Japan's Panasonic Corp. <6752> will start selling low-priced smartphones for consumers this autumn in five developing countries, including Kenya and Myanmar, informed sources said Monday. The other three countries are Ghana, Nigeria and Bangladesh. Prices are seen at around 10,000 yen. The major electronics maker once designed and produced smartphones for sale in the Japanese and European markets, but it has withdrawn from the operations. Currently, smartphones are only handled by an Indian unit, which sells low-priced models for consumers that are designed and manufactured through outsourcing. Panasonic conducted test sales in South Africa last year. After the planned launches in the five countries, it will also consider selling low-priced smartphones in the Middle East. END