To: keithcray who wrote (8994 ) 7/30/2001 8:31:09 AM From: 2MAR$ Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 208838 Market mover --->Intel chief predicts high-tech recovery in less than half a year TAIPEI, Jul 30, 2001 (The Canadian Press via COMTEX) -- The computer industry could recover from the global slowdown in three to six months, faster than the telecom sector which has suffered more from overexpansion, the chief of Intel Corp. said. Mobile phones and other areas of the communications industry could remain slow for another six months to a year, said Craig Barrett, chief executive of the U.S. chipmaker. But Barrett, on a brief visit to Taiwan, predicted the "syncronous slowdown" currently seen in the United States, Europe and Japan won't slip into a "syncronous recession." The long-term future in the high-tech industry looks bright because the Internet will remain the driving force in stimulating growth in computing, communications and entertainment, he said. Intel maintains strong business both in Taiwan and communist China, rivals separated in a civil war in 1949. Barrett refused to comment on whether Taiwan would lose out to China as a procurement centre for foreign computer and chipmakers because the island maintains a ban on direct air and shipping links with China. As Taiwanese computer makers move their manufacturing bases to China, Barrett said the island has a chance to move upscale and focus more on design and product development. But he said that "the free movement of information, goods and services is important" for Taiwan to remain a key computer supplier to the world. The online source for news sports entertainment finance and business news in Ca ada Copyright (C) 2001 The Canadian Press (CP), All rights reserved