Feb. 16, 2001

Taiwan's information appliance (IA) production output is expected to reach 6.74 million units, valued at US$ 1.33 billion, in 2001, according to data released by the government-backed Institute for Information Industry ( III)

The institute estimated that Taiwan's IA production would reach a peak of 25 million units in 2003, as major Taiwan-based electronic producers shift gradually to making thin client PCs, Net TVs, screen phones, smart handheld devices (SHDs), and other related IA products, as the PC market continues to decline.

According to III's data, output of IA devices accounted for only 3% of the total production value of Taiwan's electronics industry in 2000.

However, the Industrial Development Bureau under the Ministry of Economic Affairs has been encouraging local electronics producers to conclude to conclude IA strategic alliances to tap into the promising markets in the IA industry as demand grows for mobile telecom equipment.

A total of 230 Taiwan IA-related product makers have built up strategic alliances with the guidance and assistance of the IDB. Their production lines cover almost all IA categories.