Taiwan's delivery volume of notebook computers is expected to hit a high of 14.66 million units this year to challenge a 60% share of the global market, up from 53% in 1999, according to predictions made by the Industrial Development Bureau (IDB) under the Ministery of Economic Affairs.

IDB statistiscs indicated that Taiwan delivered 6.33 million notebook computers in the first half of the year, represening a sharp annual growth of 54% . And 6,5% of that was turned out by factories operated by Taiwan-based makers in China, almost double the figure recorded one year earlier.

In 1999, the production value of Taiwan's information technology hardware amounted to US$21 billion, with notebook computers accounting for 47% of the total value. Only 2% of that was sold in Taiwan's domestic market, the lion's share of 98% was exported. This made notebook computers become the most important export item among Taiwan-made information technology hardware products.

IDB officials said that up to 48% of desktop computers supplied by Taiwan makers are now manufactured in their Mainland China plants, 18% turned out in Taiwan, and the remaining 34% produced in other parts of the world.

They said that notebook computers will follow a similar trend. Research and developemnt will be conducted in Taiwan, parts and components will also by supplied by Taiwan, and the assembly jobs will be done in China and other foreign places.