Hisense doubles down on localisation, supply chains, and smart living in the Middle East

As the Middle East accelerates its push toward becoming a digital economy, global consumer electronics brands are being forced to rethink their role beyond simply selling devices. For Hisense, that shift is already underway.

From building connected living ecosystems to strengthening regional manufacturing and R&D, the company is positioning itself not just as a technology provider, but as a long-term partner in the region’s transformation.

In this conversation, Jason Ou, President of Hisense Middle East, Africa and India, outlines how localisation, supply chain investments, and a sharper focus on consumer relevance are shaping the company’s next phase of growth in the region—and why the Middle East is emerging as more than just a consumption market.

The region is increasingly positioning itself as a hub for digital economies. How can consumer electronics brands contribute to this broader transformation beyond simply selling devices?

Consumer electronics brands today play a much bigger role than just providing devices. Our real impact comes from shaping how people live in an increasingly digital world. At Hisense, we focus on anticipating consumer shifts and building our innovation around the needs of modern, connected lifestyles. It’s not only about technology, but about how that technology integrates seamlessly into everyday life.

We see this clearly through connected living. A TV today is no longer just a screen, it becomes part of a wider ecosystem, connecting with appliances, enabling intuitive control, and helping consumers manage comfort, energy, and daily routines more efficiently. At the same time, localization is key. Through regional R&D, partnerships, and a stronger presence on the ground, we ensure our innovation is relevant to local lifestyles and market realities. Ultimately, our role is to translate innovation into meaningful, practical value, supporting the region’s digital transformation in a way that is tangible for both consumers and communities.

Technology companies often struggle between being engineering-led and market-led. How does Hisense maintain that balance internally?

For us, it is not a question of choosing between engineering-led or market-led. The strongest companies are built on both, working hand in hand. At Hisense, we combine strong engineering capabilities with a deep understanding of consumer needs and local markets. Our innovation is driven by technology, but always shaped by how people actually live, interact, and use our products. We focus on one simple principle: every innovation must translate into a better user experience. That is where engineering excellence meets real market relevance, allowing us to stay both forward-looking and grounded in consumer value.

You have led Hisense’s expansion in the Middle East through a period of rapid technological change. What leadership principles have helped you balance global innovation with local market realities in this region?

The starting point has always been staying true to Hisense’s vision and values. That gives us a clear direction, especially during periods of rapid change. The second element is people and partnerships. Building the right team on the ground, and working with the right partners, has been essential to understanding the region and executing effectively across markets.

Third is localization with discipline. While we benefit from strong global innovation, success in this region comes from adapting that innovation to local lifestyles, climate, and consumer expectations in a consistent and structured way. And finally, long-term commitment. We have approached the Middle East as a strategic growth market, continuing to invest in technology, operations, and relationships. That long-term view allows us to balance global ambition with local relevance and build sustainable growth over time.

As most global supply chains and manufacturing ecosystems for consumer electronics remain concentrated outside the Middle East, what role do you see the region playing in the future production and innovation landscape of this industry?

I believe the region will play a much bigger role over time, especially as a center for localization, strategic manufacturing, regional distribution, and application-led innovation. We are already seeing that evolve. Hisense has been strengthening its regional manufacturing footprint, including operations in Algeria and Egypt, alongside localized R&D in Dubai. Our recent export milestone from Algeria into Egypt and Tunisia shows that the region is not only a consumption market, but increasingly part of a broader industrial and supply-chain ecosystem.

Going forward, I see the Middle East and wider MENA region becoming more important in three areas: as a faster response hub for regional supply and customization; as a testing ground for technologies suited to local environmental and lifestyle conditions; and as a bridge between global innovation and emerging-market demand. The opportunity is not just to manufacture more, but to shape products and solutions that are more relevant to this part of the world.

If we fast forward ten years, what will the concept of “home entertainment” look like compared to today?

We are currently witnessing a significant wave of innovation, particularly driven by AI capabilities. I believe this will continue to evolve, becoming smarter, more intuitive, and more seamlessly integrated into everyday life. Home entertainment will not only improve in terms of quality, with better visuals, sound, and performance, but it will also become more personalized and adaptive to each user.

At the same time, we will see more robotic and automated technologies becoming part of the home, supporting everyday tasks and enhancing convenience, creating a more connected and intelligent living environment. Ultimately, the experience will shift from simply watching content to enjoying a smarter, more immersive, and fully integrated home experience.

Finally, if you had to describe the next chapter of Hisense in the Middle East in one word, what would it be and why?

Reliable. We aim to become the most reliable brand in the region, in line with our longterm vision. This means continuously strengthening our position across technology development and market penetration, while keeping consumer needs at the center of everything we do. At the same time, we will further invest in localized solutions to ensure our innovation remains relevant, practical, and impactful for the region.