AMD appoints SA country manager

By Leon Engelbrecht, ITWeb senior writer

Johannesburg, 05 Jun 2007

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), the Intel rival in chip technology, will open a South African office on 1 July, ending a lengthy absence in the country.

The company has also appointed Mauritius-born Imi Mosaheb as country manager.

AMD chairman and chief executive Hector Ruiz says the new office is a result of "significant growth within the local market", and recognises the company's increased sales and market share. "Now that we have done it, we wish we had done it sooner," Ruiz said at a function in Sandton yesterday.

"SA is becoming increasingly prominent within the global IT market and is vital to AMD's overall success," Ruiz added. "As such, we will continue working closely with computer manufacturers, distributors, resellers, government and end-users to ensure we are delivering solutions that best address local needs and concerns."

Besides meeting customers in SA, Ruiz will on this, his first trip to the country, also meet president Thabo Mbeki and deputy president Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka. He will assess the progress the company has made locally with its partners in executing Ruiz's 50x15 vision.

Launched by AMD at the World Economic Forum's 2004 annual meeting, the vision hopes to enable an environment in which 50% of the world's population can access affordable Internet connectivity and computing capability by 2015. Intel has a similar programme.

Both companies see their venture as more than corporate social responsibility. Both say it is about encouraging sustainable economic progress and investment within high-growth markets in ways that benefit a wide range of people and businesses.

Mosaheb brings 16 years of experience in the technology industry to his post. Throughout the past five years at AMD, Mosaheb led the global business development for AMD with HP commercial clients.

Mosaheb will be based in Johannesburg and report to Gautam Srivastava, AMD VP of sales and marketing and managing director, Middle East, Africa and Pakistan.

"In his new role, Imi will be responsible for driving AMD's business development, including major South African government technology initiatives, and building and cultivating relationships with key customers," Srivastava said.