Taiwan's HTC sees double-digit revenue growth in 2009

TAOYUAN, Taiwan, Jan 16 (Reuters) - Taiwan smartphone maker HTC (2498.TW) said it expected double-digit 2009 revenue growth as smartphones gain popularity globally even amid a global downturn.

"The visibility in 2009 is extremely low, so things could be a bit worse in the short term. But we still expect to maintain double-digit growth (this year)," HTC president Peter Chou told reporters at a year-end party for employees.

HTC, which competes with Nokia (NOK1V.HE), Research in Motion (RIM.TO) and Apple (AAPL.O) in the smartphone business, is due to give its guidance on 2009 on Feb. 6. (Reporting by Kelvin Soh; Editing by Jon Loades-Carter)