News Release

COMPUTEX TAIPEI '96 to Underscore the Convergence Megatrend
 Stellar Hall" Sharpens Asia's Tip on Computerdom's Golden Triangle
Silicon Island Scales Highest Peaks

Contact: Ms. Cindy Wu
CETRA Exhibition Dept.
5 Hsinyi Road, Sec. 5
Taipei, Taiwan, R. O. C.
Tel: 886-2-725-1111
Fax: 886-2-725-1959

COMPUTEX TAIPEI '96 to Underscore the Convergence Megatrend

Taipei, Jan.10, 1996 -- With Taiwan's I.T. industry on the fast track to convergence, a vast array of new products at the next COMPUTEX TAIPEI, June 6-10, 1996, will reflect the megatrend's latest.

Mr.Thomas J.K.Tsou, Executive Director of CETRA, the show's co-organizer, said the multi-faceted developments underscore the industry's convergence. On the product side, he said the speed and scope of penetration into communication and consumer electronics is accelerating, triggering explosive networking and multi-media innovation.

Mr. Tsou added that in 1995, CD-Rom drive proved the growth champion, chalking up a breathtaking 19-fold increase, which saw growth skyrocket to 2.82 million units valued at US$305 million. Taiwan's Institute for information Industry (III) forecasts that Taiwan's CD-Rom production will hit the 25 million unit mark in less than three years. Already, some vendors are tapping the traditional consumer electronics market with one of the leaders, Acer, releasing VCD models.

The networking and communication sectors are both flourishing. Taiwan's LAN card production captured 38 percent of the global market in 1995 by expanding 41 percent to US$298 million, and according to III's forecast, it is expected to increase another ten-fold in 1996, reaching a value of US$74 million.

"With these revolutionary trends, the "wireless computing" theme was picked up as the key visual to promote the '96 show," said Mr. Tsou, "wireless computing is not only changing computing, it's pioneering a new dimension of interactive equipment. COMPUTEX TAIPEI '96 is leading that drive, by highlighting even more computer telephony and wireless computing products."

From the market point of view, convergence is also taking shape, said Mr. Tsou. In 1995, 85 percent of world monitor orders were filled by Taiwan--a 15 percent increase from the pervious year. Meanwhile production of desktop PCs is increasingly becoming concentrated, with 92 percent of shipments shared by only five major local vendors; Acer, First, Mitac, Tatung, and Digital.

"COMPUTEX TAIPEI '96 will prove a vital benchmark for both show and our IT industry," said Mr. Tsou. "With more key components locally sourced and competitively priced, the 1996 show is gearing up to yield a record high cost-performance ratio for visiting buyers."

"Stellar Hall" Sharpens Asia's Tip on Computerdom's Golden Triangle

Taipei, Jan. 10,1996 -- When "Stellar Hall" opens at the 16th COMPUTEX TAIPEI next June 6-10, its five story venue housing galaxy of industry stars, including Acer and Intel, will symbolize the show's astronomical success.

"We're actually building on last year's show when we opened two floors at the Taipei International Convention Center (TICC) for extra space," said Mr. Thomas J.K. Tsou, Executive Director of CETRA, the show's co-organizer. "After that success, we decided to devote the entire TICC building to the Stellar Hall concept."

The move to a twin-hall venue promises to further enhance COMPUTEX TAIPEI's ranking by buyers as one of the world's top three trade shows alongside CeBit and Comdex/Fall, said Mr. Tsou. He pointed out that perspective buyers always mark COMPUTEX TAIPEI as an essential stop on their business calendar, and that this I.T. trinity is shaping up to become computerdom's " Golden Triangle."

A glance at the organizers' blueprint reveals Stellar Hall encompassing a galaxy of independent blocks of leading vendor group anxious to open private shows of their latest technology for a select audience.

The organizers are currently busy processing applications for the Stellar Hall, and first result show that Acer will have the lobby, while Intel will take the fourth floor. Exhibitors of the former "Rising Stars Hall"; Chicony, Chuntex, Clevo, Compal, Elitegroup, GVC, Mitac and Tatung - all major Taiwan I.T. export are retaining their previous locations.

Silicon Island Scales Highest Peaks

Taipei, Jan. 10, 1996 -- The showcase of Taiwan's IT industry, COMPUTEX TAIPEI, to be held June 6-10, 1996, is gearing up to capture more honors, as this silicon island becomes the world's number three IT producer in 1995 -- which will be followed up by a further 27 percent growth in 1996.

Mr.Thomas J.K. Tsou, Executive Director of CETRA, the show's co-organizer, said that in 1995 Taiwan's IT hardware production value (domestic and offshore combined) grew by 35 percent to US$19.7 billion, and in three years is anticipating and an average growth rate of 24.6 percent that will let it reach US$38 billion in 1998.

COMPUTEX TAIPEI displayed more than 4,000 innovative products last year, said Mr. Tsou, "Considering the sustained higher growth of the industry, a record number of new items is assured at the show."

He also estimated that the number of overseas visitors in 1996 will reach a new height, as buyers are increasing interested in tapping the silicon island's core competence. This is reflected by the island's outstanding 35 percent growth in 1995, which outdistanced the rest of the world's top ten IT countries (the U.S. 8%, Japan 4%, Singapore 18%, Britain 8%, Germany 5%, France 4%, Italy 4%, Brazil 4%, and Korea 5%).

"Buyers will understand and benefit from Taiwan innovation, versatility, and quick concept-to-market capabilities which are highlighting of the show. These qualities form the ground work of the industry," said Mr. Tsou. "Taiwan's core competence enables it to lead the world in the production of mousse devices (occupying 72 percent of the global market), mother boards (65%), keyboards (65%), scanners (64%), LAN cards (38%), video cards (35%), switching power supplies (35%), graphic cards (32%) and notebook PCs (27%).

As Taiwan increasingly consolidates its position computerdom, COMPUTEX TAIPEI will take further importance as the forum for the global IT vendor.

 Intro and Apply¡þ News Release¡þ Press Club
General Information¡þExhibitors¡þ Program¡þBuyer's Registration¡þ Travel Services¡þWhat's Cool in Taipei¡þ Product Information¡þPress¡þ HOME