Xenitis to open 500 retails

Xenitis is all set to penetrate the domes­tic market
further with plans to set up branded retail shops called 'Zone Xenitis' all
over India. “We will setting up 500 retail shops all over India, the first
batch of which is expected to open by April 10, 2006. The shops would be managed
by us while the supply of products would be done through Iris,” said
Taghagatha Datta, MD, Xenitis Infotech. “We are also planning to start a rural
channel by appointing around 10,000 LIC agents all over India for marketing our
products on a commission basis. We would train them and supply them with market
collaterals. In turn they would give us leads on interested customers and
Xenitis would follow the leads to generate business,” he added.

The Xenitis Group is also venturing into new areas like
manufacturing of two-wheelers, launching a TV channel, etc. Xenitis Infotech
manufactures the Aamar PC brand of PCs. Datta informed that the group is
targeting a turnover of Rs 5,000 crore in the next five years, out of which the
IT division is expected to contribute more than Rs 1,000 crore.

Xenitis Infotech also manufactures components in
collaboration with China-based Unitek Computer Company at its own facility in
West Bengal. The company currently exports IT components to countries like
Bangladesh and Nepal. Going forward, it plans to tap markets like Dubai and CIS
for exports.

Arup Sarkar, National Manager Channels and Distribution and
Overseas Business, Xenitis said, “Currently, the contribution of exports to
the company's overall revenue is very little. Going forward, we see around 40
percent of the company's 2006-07 revenue coming in from exports.”

Xenitis Group of Companies is targeting a revenue of Rs
1,000 crore in the next financial year. The company expects to close FY 2005-06
with revenue of more than Rs 500 crore. It also has plans to come out with an
IPO of Rs 250 crore in July — August 2006 to finance expansion activities of
its IT arm.

Detailing the investment plans of the company, Datta said,
“We would use the money to concentrate on different technologies and develop
products, undertake R&D and set up additional manufacturing facilities.
Xenitis is tying up with a Chinese TFT manufacturer KTC to set up a TFT and CRT
monitor manufacturing facility. We plan to invest Rs 50 crore in this
venture.”

Pragati Simlote New Delhi, March 24