Calcutta, Sept. 1: Sony India is eyeing a 40 per cent growth in its panel television business in Bengal during the festive season between August and November.

"We are expecting a 40 per cent increase in sales in the festive season, particularly in the Bravia range of LED televisions, and have earmarked Rs 18 crore as advertising spends during this period for Bengal," said Kenichiro Hibi, managing director of Sony India, on Thursday.

The company is also expecting a 30 per cent growth nationally in the same period.

"Sony is very strong as a brand in Bengal and that makes it a very important market for us," said Satish Padmanabhan, sales head, Sony India.

Sony has a market share of about 34 per cent in Bengal in the panel business, which contributes 10 per cent to its national sales. The market size of the business in the state is about 9 lakh units per annum.

"In India, we command a share of 25 per cent in the panel business," said Padmanabhan.

The national market size is about 1 crore units per annum. He added that the panel television arm contributes about 50 per cent to Sony India's total business.

Recently, the company exited budget phones and has shifted its focus to the premium segment. It has plans to introduce new models in the Rs 20,000-50,000 category this year.

The Japanese electronics major is also looking to manufacture in India. "The manufacturing environment is improving and we are in talks with various companies to make use of the opportunity," said Hibi.

At present, Sony India has an assembling unit for its LED televisions in Chennai and has signed up with Taiwanese contract manufacturer major Foxconn.