Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. reported that its sales for the first half of 2009 climbed more than 12% from a year ago due to a strong increase in overseas demand. Samsung's sales reached KRW 39.6 trillion ($32 billion) during the January-June period, up 12.3% from KRW 35.2 trillion for the same period last year. The company attributed the increase in sales to a 16.3% hike in exports of its digital consumer and home appliance goods. Samsung's exports of digital media products such as computers, mobile phones and MP3 music players soared 46.1% to KRW 12.8 trillion during the period, while its air conditioners, washing machines and other home appliance goods also enjoyed a 46.9% hike in offshore shipments.