By 2008, the Asia Pacific region will witness an annual growth rate of 10 per cent in mobile phone sales with figures expected to reach 400 million units.

Last year the region accounted for 366 million phone sales with India and China together contributing 60% to the total sales.

"The twin engines of this growth are India and the PRC (People''s Republic of China), which together commanded more than 60 per cent of shipments in the region" said IDC analyst Aloysius Choong.

The same research estimates that mobile phone sales in India should grow by 19% this year.