Ian,
I was logged off for the day....maybe this will make up for it:-)
Semiconductors, Packing Test, Software Set for Steady Second-Half Growth
July 7, 2000 (TAIPEI) -- Prosperous times are set to continue for Taiwan's semiconductor and packing test industries, due to the sharp growth in local PC deliveries and the bulk launch of new network, communication and information appliance products.
An equally encouraging future looks likely for software, as corporate computerization continues apace, and the lure of the Internet encourages greater use of PCs.
Prospects for PCs, mobile phones and peripheral products, on the other hand, look somewhat less bright, due to the current shortage of key components.
According to the Institute for Information Industry, the output of Taiwan's information hardware is expected to reach US$47.9 billion this year, up a sharp 20 percent year-on-year.
Global computer sales are predicted to grow by 15 percent in 2001, and higher-than-expected PC demand in the second half of this year should enable Taiwan's PC deliveries in the July-December period to exceed the January-June performance, said the Industry Development Council. However, it added, manufacturers' profit margins are unlikely to rise in sympathy, due to the current shortage of key components and downward pressure on prices as manufacturers try to undercut their rivals.
(Commercial Times, Taiwan) |
