Financial Tribune - Panasonic, a global Japanese technology firm, has announced the appointment of its new Managing Director Hiroki Soejima, for the Middle East region.

The new director took charge on April 2, saying the firm�s new push is to grow sales in Iran and Pakistan.

Iran contributes to almost 16% of Panasonic�s total Middle East revenue, the firm said when questioned by Financial Tribune on its current revenue from the country.

�Our plans for 2017-18 are to execute growth plans and further strengthen our market share across the region,� Soejima was quoted as saying in a press release.

Panasonic remains the biggest supplier of office telephone systems in Iran.

�Panasonic plans to introduce new models of existing product categories to the Iranian market,� the firm added.

It also plans to increase its presence in stores across the country with its Tehran Kamranieh showroom leading in the introduction of new products.

The firm offers a wide range of products to Iranian customers such as kitchen appliances, home appliances, beauty & grooming electronics and telecom products through its local distributors.

Japanese business have slowly increased their presence in Iran since sanctions, as South Korean firms like LG and Samsung have aggressively increased their market share in Iran over the past decade.

In terms of home electronic devices, Samsung and LG are now leaders in foreign brand devices in the country.