Sony promises to resolve parallel import issue

Sony has promised its partners to resolve the parallel imports issue, but has
not given a time frame yet. The announcement was made to Sony authorized
partners (SAP) at the recently held channel meet in Singapore. Rashi
Peripherals, Sony’s Indian distributor, had organized the trip to give
partners a chance to have a direct interface with the company officials.

Currently 20 percent of Sony’s FDD, DVD drives and CDRW drives come into
the country through parallel imports.

According to Ketan Gala of Spectrum, products are legally imported in India
through Sony’s Singapore office. "But some

importers buy products from
Sony’s Gulf office and then sell them in the country." Since the cost of
imports from Gulf is lower than that of Singapore, these importers can sell the
products at a discounted rates.

Sony officials have promised to ensure that all consignments to India are
routed only through its Singapore office. Although they have not given a
deadline for this initiative, partners are optimistic it will happen by the end
of this year.

VINITA BHATIA