It's official: Apple launching iPad 2 in 25 more countries this Friday

Apple has issued a statement confirming that it will be launching its iPad 2 in more countries this Friday. The device goes on sale at Apple’s online and retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers this coming Friday, March 25 at 5pm local time. Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore and additional countries will get all models of iPad 2 in April, Apple said.

The 25 markets mentioned in the release include Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK.

Suggested retail prices are the same as in the US: $499/$599/$699 for the 16/32/64GB WiFi iPad 2 and a $130 extra for their 3G GSM counterparts.

Due to local taxes and customs fees, these suggested prices are likely to be higher.

The press release quotes Apple’s boss Steve Jobs who couldn’t help himself and once again asserted that competitors haven’t even caught up with the first iPad yet:

While competitors are still struggling to catch up with our first iPad, we’ve changed the game again with iPad 2. We’re experiencing amazing demand for iPad 2 in the US, and customers around the world have told us they can’t wait to get their hands on it. We appreciate everyone’s patience and we are working hard to build enough iPads for everyone.