Samsung Elec keeps '09 mobile market share target

SEOUL, June 15 (Reuters) - Samsung Electronics (005930.KS: Quote, Profile, Research), the world's second-biggest maker of mobile phones, launched a new touch-screen model on Monday while expressing confidence it would expand its global market share despite the downturn.

"We are very confident that we will continuously increase our market share not only in advanced countries...but also in the emerging market," said Hong Won-pyo, executive vice president in charge of product strategy at Samsung's mobile communication division.

Referring to Samsung's intention to raise its global market share to 20 percent this year from its end-2008 figure of 18 percent, Hong said: "Personally, I'm still confident that we will reach our earlier objective."

He said of about 150 new mobile phone models Samsung is unveiling this year, 30 to 35 percent would feature touch screens and the portion would increase even further next year. (Reporting by Marie-France Han and Rhee So-eui; Editing by Jonathan Hopfner)