New GM eyes Nokia Thailand's growth

He estimates that the market this year will show flat growth in sales value but slight growth in volume, in line with the economic situation.

Kapoor officially assumed the post at Nokia Thailand on March 1. In his previous position, he spent one year as Nokia's head of general retail and channel management for Southeast Asia, Australia-New Zealand and emerging Asian markets.

Nokia Thailand has experienced challenges on many fronts, including competition from Asian and local-brand handset-makers, as well as the slowing economy.

The company is in a strong position to get through the downturn by leveraging on its understanding of consumers' needs, Kapoor said.

He said it was not a question of consumers not wanting to spend, but wanting to spend on only the most worthwhile products.

According to a Kasikorn Research Centre report this past week, the Thai handset market is expected to keep pace with last year, despite the economic downturn. Between 8.9 million and 9 million new handsets are expected to be sold this year, against about 9 million last year.

However, market value is expected to decline to between Bt30 billion and Bt31.5 billion, from Bt35 billion last year, it said.