Headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Samsung Electronics Middle East & Africa has been operational for over two decades and operating through 13 offices.

Through a network of over 140 distributors, Samsung MEA looks after the distribution of its digital devices across the Middle East and Africa. The company has also invested in a service subsidiary, located in the Jebel Ali Free Trade Zone in Dubai. The service facility has been functional for over a decade, and is among the largest within the GCC countries.

Samsung MEA has witnessed phenomenal growth in the past few years and has recorded a sales revenue value of $2.6 billion in 2006, a 6% growth over 2005.

Based on its vision of ‘digital convergence’, Samsung Gulf Electronics is divided into four main business units, Hand Held Appliances, Audio/Visual, IT and Home Appliances.

Samsung also houses the Customer Interaction Centre (CIC) and the 800-SAMSUNG service, part of the company’s customer relationship management (CRM) initiatives, which are designed to help understand customers’ requirements and subsequently fulfill their expectations.

By dialing the call centre at 800-SAMSUNG, customers can avail assistance on different subjects, including obtaining product information, logging their feedback and seeking after-sales support. Furthermore, customers can offer suggestions on what additional features they would like to see in Samsung products, to ensure that upcoming products can be customized to include their wish-list.

Samsung has further set the standard in the Middle East’s consumer electronics industry with launches of several first-of-a-kind digital products.

Samsung developed the U-track feature, the first anti-theft system to be found on a mobile phone. Samsung was also the first to launch Blu-Ray disk players, the next generation HD storage format, and continued its commitment to redefining the HDTV industry with the launch of the new M8 series – the thinnest, clearest, most elegant LCD TV as of yet.

Other technological advances include the launch of an air-conditioner series that fights SARS, bird-flu and second infections.  

In 2006, Business Week hailed Samsung as the 20th Best Global Brand as well as the 12th most innovative company worldwide. Other recognitions include a number one ranking in ‘Asia’s Best Companies’ by Finance Asia, and the fifth ‘Most Admired Electronics Company in America’ by Fortune.

In the MENA region, Samsung scooped the ‘Manufacturer of the Year 2006’ and ‘LCD TV Manufacturer of the year 2006’ awards by PC Magazine ME.

In June 2005, Samsung became the Sponsor of Chelsea FC, one of Europe’s most popular football clubs. Samsung also sponsored the Dubai Desert Classic, part of the official world golfing season, attracting world class golfers, such as Tiger Woods and Ernie Els.

Samsung’s sponsorship of the 2006 Asian Games marked Samsung’s two-decade commitment as official sponsor. Samsung also had the honor of selecting the Asian Games’ Most Valuable Player (MVP) by awarding the most deserving with the Samsung MVP Award. Samsung also hosted a digital gallery at the Samsung Lounge.

Samsung has also extended its official sponsorship of the Olympic Games through to 2016.