Taiwan's NB PC, Handsets and Display Panel Sectors to Keep Strong Growth in 2008

Taipei, Feb. 27, 2008 (CENS)--Despite the sub-prime-mortgage turmoil of the U.S. weakening consumer spending for IT (information and technology) products worldwide, Taiwan's sectors of notebook PCs, handsets and display panels are expected to maintain their robust production growth this year, according to the Taiwan-based Topology Research Institute (TRI).

In fact, TRI and other market survey institutes have adjusted down growth projections for Taiwan's IT-related products in 2008, including IC (integrated circuit), DRAM (dynamic random access memory), LCD (liquid crystal display) TV, solar energy and communications. However, TRI believes that Taiwan's IT sectors will turn around later this year.

TRI noted that the notebook PC, handset and display panel sectors on the island can maintain robust expansion in operations this year due mainly to effects of ultra-low promotion prices, growing penetration rates of high-end smartphones and capacity expansion.

TRI's analysts added that as many large-sized PC brands, such as Dell, have agreed to allow their contract suppliers to source most parts for making notebook PCs by themselves-except display panels, processors and hard disk drives-Taiwan's notebook PC sector is expected to enjoy an annual production growth of 15.3% this year from last year, higher than the world's average of 14.9%.

In addition, the sub-prime-mortgage crisis won't affect Taiwan's IT sectors too much thanks to their efforts on diversification. Therefore, Taiwan's LCD TV sector is expected to post a whopping increase of 102.8% in orders this year, four times the world's average, and the others, including IC, handsets, display panel, notebook PC, solar energy and touch panel sectors, could also enjoy a growth of at least 10% in operations.

TRI's Growth Projections for Taiwan's IT Sectors in 2008
Sector	Original Growth Projection	Adjusted Growth	Projected Output in 2008
IC	8.27%	7.10%	US$231.9 B.
DRAM	5.00%	4.30%	US$32.3 B.
Handset	16.70%	16.70%	US$165.2 B.
LCD TV	37.60%	25.00%	US$85 B.
Display Panel	29.80%	19.80%	US$91 B.
Notebook PC	14.90%	29.80%	US$113.8 B.
Communication Device	8.00%	7.60%	US$418 B.
Solar Energy	36.00%	35.40%	US$19.5 B.
White LED	19.00%	19.00%	US$8.6 B.
Touch Panel	9.00%	9.00%	US$3 B.

Source: Topology Research Institute