A Samsung Electronics top official said Friday that the company would consider increasing share dividends this year in an apparent move to attract investors amid fierce competition and global economic woes.

“Samsung Electronics actively executed strategies to enhance value for investors despite the stagnant stock prices in 2014,” co-CEO Kwon Oh-hyun said in a letter sent to investors of the tech giant Thursday. He added that “Samsung would consider increasing share dividends to give returns to investors this year and present mid- and long-term business guidelines.”

Samsung increased dividends per share by 45 percent in 2012, 79 percent in 2013 and 40 percent in 2014.

He also introduced a series of business plans for this year, including one to beef up capabilities in the business-to-business sector and the so-called “selective focus strategy,” which he meant to focus on strengthening a few selected businesses with a competitive edge.

In line with the firm’s initiatives, Samsung, one of the world’s largest chipmakers, is anticipated to put more focus on taking the lead in the chip business.

Samsung will likely have its 14-nanometer-based Exynos mobile application processors mounted on more than 70 percent of its upcoming Galaxy S6 smartphones, while reducing its reliance on its longtime partner, U.S. chip manufacturer Qualcomm.

It is also said that Samsung has recently inked a deal with the California-based Apple to supply the mobile application processor for the next-generation iPhones, which are likely to be released later this year.

Lamenting the disappointing performance of the firm’s smartphone business unit last year, Kwon vowed to utilize what he called “growing pains” that Samsung underwent last year as a stepping stone for further growth down the road.

“The company will maintain its growth momentum in developed markets while achieving high growth in emerging markets,” the co-CEO said.

By Kim Young-won (wone0102@heraldcorp.com)