GE EXPECTS 20 PCT REVENUE GROWTH IN ASEAN, CHINA AND INDIA THIS YEAR

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 29 (Bernama) -- General Electric (GE) expects its
business in Asean, China and India to grow at least 20 percent in respect of
revenue this year, despite the current global economic challenges, said its
chairman and chief executive officer Jeff Immelt.

Immelt said GE's business in Asean had contributed US$3.9 billion to the
company's revenue last year while for China it was US$3.8 billion and India
US$2.1 billion.

"The growth in China and India has accelerated," he told a media briefing,
here Monday.

GE, an American company, is a diversified entity with its principal
activities embracing aircraft engines and power generation to financial
services, healthcare and television programming.

On its healthcare business, Immelt said:"We are already the big investor in
healthcare. So, what we are trying to do with it, is drive the business
transformation model.

"The long term demographics in healthcare is quite positive. In the emerging
market, it is based on a growing population.In the United States and Japan, it
is the aging population.

"So, either way, there is going to be more demand for healthcare products."

He stated that healthcare is a long term growth market and needs new
solutions.

GE indicated recently that it would spend US$3 billion over the next six
years on healthcare innovation,to deliver better care to more people at a lower
cost.

In addition, the company will commit US$2 billion in financing and US$1
billion in related GE technology and content to drive healthcare information
technology and health in rural and underserved areas.
-- BERNAMA