Samsung Electronics Ltd expects the global handset market to surge by 9 percent in 2008 on the back of strong performance in the fourth quarter of 2007. Further it also expects to sell about 200 million units at 25 percent hike this year against 161 million units sold in 2007.

Youngcho Chi, Senior Vice President of Samsung Electronics’ Mobile Communications division said that the company expects the overall mobile market size in 2008 to be about 1.2 billion units, a 9 pc increase from 2007.

Additionally the company forecasts the mobile handset market to grow by 4-5 percent in the second quarter against previous quarter in which it sold about 46.3 million phones.