What are the risks and opportunities due to the deterioration of the economy and financial market turbulence?
In the present situation we can see both upside and downside. On the downside, we have seen a decline in sales of automobiles, which is affecting our business and on the upside, our healthcare segment is doing very well. Healthcare revenues from developed markets have been solid in the fourth quarter, especially considering the challenging macro economic environment, while our healthcare sector also showed strong growth in emerging markets. We are encouraged by the fact that China recently pledged to make major investments of over $100bn (Dh367bn) in healthcare services up until 2011. Also, the Obama government in the US is investing in IT infrastructure in a big way and that will impact us. In the consumer lifestyle sector, people have been reluctant to buy but I see sales stabilising or picking up in developed markets after having seen a fall. We have seen an increase in sales of coffee makers and electric shavers and home appliances. It is extremely difficult to judge the future. Go
