Race to be leading chipmaker in developing markets

The heat is on chipmakers Intel and AMD to see who can make the biggest break into emerging markets across the global.

First off the block is Intel, with the recent announcement of its "Discover the PC' initiative to promote the use of technology in rapidly growing regions of the world including Mexico, Brazil, India and Eastern Europe.

With worldwide PC sales expected to grow 10.5% this year to 229 million units, each unit sold will need a processor chip and Intel isn't sitting back waiting for business to come to it.

Releasing 5000 free basic PCs to Mexican schools and working with the Mexican Ministry of Education to train 400,000 teachers, Intel is laying the foundations for a new generation of computer junkies.

In Brazil, Intel has created a US$50 million venture capital fun to promote technology growth in the South American nation.

Intel Capital's investments will help stimulate technological innovation and growth of Brazil's rapidly developing entrepreneurial community," said Intel Corp's CEO Paul Otellini.

AMD is not to be left behind, opening an office in Malaysia to provide easier access to emerging markets in the Southern Hemisphere.

"The Malaysian market is absolutely important to AMD's overall success," said Bryan Low, vice president, sales and marketing, South Asia, AMD. "IDC has seen a 47% year-on-year unit growth of AMD or a 2 percentage point jump in market share in 2005 for PCs consumed in Malaysia, and with the success of local IT projects, it is important for us to have a local office in order to work directly with our customers to help meet their needs."