Panasonic achieved consolidated sales of 110 per cent in 2010 compared to the previous year, and the Japanese manufacturer is targeting double digit growth in 2011, it was announced.

The company also laid out its strategy for the year, and unveiled its product portfolio for 2011 at Panasonic’s convention for Middle East and Africa.

Panasonic witnessed strong growth in all product categories in 2010, and this year the company aims to increase sale of 3D TVs and Viera LED TVs by 300 per cent across the region.

Panasonic also aims to become the ‘No. 1 Green Innovation Company’ in the electronics industry in the Middle East as part of Panasonic's group-wide global commitment to drive eco-innovation in the world by 2018, the 100th anniversary of its foundation.

“The Middle East continues to be a key market for Panasonic, and we will continue to invest in the region, bringing in new technology and products. 2011 will also see Panasonic concentrate on Africa, with the company looking to establish regional offices in Kenya and Angola by the end of the year,” said Seiji Koyanagi, managing director of Panasonic Marketing Middle East.

This year, the new intelligent Viera line up, called Viera Black, will feature infinite black pro and interactive internet connection which call Viera connect. These new models will be equipped with features like 600Hz Sub-field Drive, Infinite Black Pro (over 5,000,000:1 native contrast). Infinite Black Pro technology enables high contrast that significantly improves the images in brightly lit locations. Enhancement to the panel and cells help reproduce images with smooth natural gradation and deep rich black. In movies, the true deep blacks faithfully conveys the intent of the filmmaker adding power and realism to the viewing experience and this is one of most important factor to realise more realistic in 3D image.

Viera Connect is a new and enhanced cloud-based Internet service from Panasonic. The new Viera Connect allows users to enjoy sports, interactive games, and a variety of other contents in addition to the standard movies and television programs on Panasonic Viera large-screen TVs through the simple operation of a remote control.

Panasonic also introduced new range of Lumix cameras. The new range features dedicated cameras for business users and consumers who pursue an active and outdoor lifestyle. There is also a dedicated range for the beauty conscious consumer. The Lumix camera with beauty retouch mode gives user’s ability to touchup a virtual faces for instance; users can change the hue of the skin or whiten their teeth and even choose the colour of the foundation, lips, cheeks and eye shadow.

Outdoor and sports enthusiast will appreciate the altimeter, barometer and GPS functionality. This is the only camera that will have a million pre registered global landmarks. The camera will also automatically archive pictures based on location, date and time.

The Japanese manufacturer will also introduce to the region, advanced system and business solutions targeting offices, home and commercial enterprises. A new range of eco-friendly ACs and CFC lamps are also being introduced in keeping with the company’s eco declaration to introduce green products in the region.

The company also launched various eco initiatives as part of the company’s eco declaration to include a biodiversity project titled ‘Lake Victoria Environmental Education Program’ around Lake Victoria, in association with WWF (LVCEEP).

Panasonic also provided full scholarships to four under-graduate students of Environmental Sciences from the UAE’s prestigious Abu Dhabi University.-TradeArabia News Service