LG Opens Air-Conditioning Academy in UAE

DUBAI, 8 August 2003 — LG Electronics Inc recently inaugurated its first Air-Conditioning Academy in Dubai, UAE. The academy is one of its kind and will train over 1,000 technicians, dealers, contractors and public works officials from the Middle East ad Africa.

Hassan Shaker, CEO and the chairman of H.G. Ibrahim Shaker Company, the sole distributors of LG Air-Conditioners in Saudi Arabia, attended the opening ceremony and lauded the launch of the training center.

Shaker, while emphasizing that air-conditioning being a necessity of life in this region, was of the view that the LG Academy will serve its customers well. He said, “It is positive step which will have far reaching results.”

The formal opening of the LG Air-Conditioning Academy was conducted by UAE Labor Minister Mattar Humaid Al-Tayer. K.S. Hwang, vice president of A/C & Compressor Overseas Sales, Shaker and various other LG distributors from the Middle East and African countries also attended the ceremony.

LG President for Mideast & Africa Region, M.B. Shin, said: “LG is committed regionally to ensure clients get the best of after the sales service. And a trained force is essential.” Shin said: “The investment in this region is a clear indication of our intention to grow in this market, to be a key sector player and raise the benchmark for customer service.” Courses lasting three to five days will be undertaken at the academy, which will also act as the information resource center for LG Air-Conditioner business.

“The focus of the academy’s education lies in generating experts in commercial air-conditioning products. “The course is designed for the entire spectrum of professionals involved in selling, specifying, installing, commissioning, and maintenance of air conditioners,” he added. LG now has 14.3% of the global room air-conditioning market share. In Saudi Arabia, LG brand air conditioners are solely distributed by H.G. Ibrahim Shaker Company. Shaker said that the LG air conditioners have over 40 percent market share in Saudi Arabia, while adding that the recent introduction of LG central air-conditioning system in the Kingdom has been successful.