Microsoft kicked off the year by adding six new countries in the App Hub for Windows Phone apps and games distribution, bringing the total number of countries to 41. These new countries are Argentina, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Peru, and the Philippines. This however, does not mean that the Marketplace is open for business yet in those countries.

What Microsoft is doing is opening more distribution channels for existing developers and getting ready for Marketplace rollout in more countries as Windows Phone devices are being prepared to make their way around the world.

Developers from the aforementioned countries though, still have to wait before they can submit their apps as Microsoft still has yet to finalize Marketplace registration and compliance with local conditions.

As with other application stores, developers can choose to publish their apps and games across all 41 countries or just to a select few if they wish. The company notes that those who choose to publish to the six new countries will have to comply with additional requirements. Failure to comply means the apps will not be available to consumers in those countries.

With Nokia’s Lumia series supposedly being launched in Indonesia before the end of this quarter, local Windows Phone developers should be gearing up and getting ready for Marketplace registration as soon as the doors are opened.

The much anticipated Lumia 800 has been receiving generally positive and encouraging reviews from early adopters and is expected to make a big entrance in Indonesia at launch date as the flagship Windows Phone device.