It is the first time that two of the electronic industry's most influential exhibitions have joined together to showcase the latest developments in the industry.

"The two combined shows are complementary and will help churn out more business opportunities,"said Thomas Schlitt, exhibition director of international projects for the German Munich International Trade Fair Company.

Organized by Munich International, China International Exhibition Centre and Zentralverb and Elektrotechnik Communications GmbH, the event will be the first time the Chinese market has been offered the entire chain of electronics output - from electronic components to manufacturing technology and services.

Also a series of forums focusing on areas such as electronic mobile applications and technologies innovations on semiconductor will be launched during the event.

"The booming Chinese electronic industry makes our exhibition a must-have event," said Ting Yee-ming, vice-president of SEMI (Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International Association) and general manager of SEMI China.

"China is the future of the industry, that's why we are focusing more on China," he said.

Riding against a downturn in semiconductor business worldwide, China is poised to become a market leader.

"For example, China's IC (integrated circuits) market supply is far from enough," Ting said.

Industry experts projected that in 2002, the Southeast Asia region (excluding Japan) would occupy first place worldwide for the electronic components market with the market volume amounting to US$85.9 billion.

China is the major driving force behind the development. In 2003, its market for electronic products is likely to move up to third worldwide. By 2010, the Chinese market for semiconductors is expected to take second place worldwide in terms of size. In the years leading to 2005, the country's information industry is forecast to grow by an average of 20 per cent each year.

In order to achieve its goal, China aims to invest more than US$10 billion in the development of the electronic components industry between 2001 and 2005.

(China Daily February 13, 2003)