PC market grew only 6 percent in 2013-14: MAIT

New Delhi, June 25 (IANS) The Indian personal computer (PC) market grew only by 6 percent in 2013-14 and tablets growth dropped to 76 percent during the period from 424 percent in 2012-2013, says a review done by the Manufacturers' Association of Information Technology (MAIT).

The MAIT is the apex organisation representing India's IT hardware, training and R&D services sectors. The annual MAIT Industry Performance Review - ITOPS, conducted by market research firm IMRB International, is a survey of the IT hardware sector's efforts to manage the business environment, gauge the market potential and consumer trends.

The report highlighted that the smartphone sector clocked a growth of 244 percent due to introdution of low cost smartphones and data tariff reduction. Notebook sector outshined market predictions by clocking 55 percent growth.

"We expect 100 percent growth of smartphone during this time period (2014-15) with 4G networks getting rolled out and increased uptake of 3G data services. Also, the government promising to take corrective steps to boost manufacturing, we expect the IT hardware sector to benefit from it in the coming years," Anwar Shirpurwala, executive director of MAIT.

Amar Babu, president, MAIT, said the sector has immense growth potential and "we are hopeful that the upcoming budget addresses the issue of correction in duties anomalies which is needed for the overall growth of the IT hardware market in India."

Shirpurwala said the industry expects more than double digit growth of tablet PCs, notebooks, inkjet printers for the year 2014-2015.