Computex To Generate An Estimated $14.5B In IT Business

Computex Taipei, the world's second-largest IT trade show, opened late Monday Taipei time with the expectation that the IT industry will do about $14.5 billion in business as a result of the event, which runs through Saturday.

Walter Yeh, executive vice president of the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), the government-backed sponsor of Computex, said that despite competition from other countries, IT sourcing is still an important business in Taiwan.

Walter Yeh, executive vice president of the Taiwan External Trade Development Council, opens Computex Taipei 2007.

"Decisions will be made here in Taiwan," Yeh said. "We are not just good inventors, but we are good innovators."

As proof, Yeh noted that Taiwan is still the No. 1 or No. 2 source for the world's supplies of LCD panels, monitors, notebook PCs, semiconductor packaging and other products.

"In [other shows like CeBit and CES], you can see new products," he said. "But this show is a professional business-to-business exhibition. We're not open to consumers. This is our focus."

Yeh said that business is growing. He estimated that the expected 30,000 overseas and 103,000 Taiwan-based IT professionals attending the show will sign contracts leading to about $14.5 billion in IT business, up from the $12.5 billion generated last year.

A total of 1,333 exhibitors, including Taiwan and non-Taiwan companies, are taking nearly 3,000 booths at Computex, according to Yeh. However, Computex will open a new exhibition center in another part of Taipei, giving the show a total potential of 5,000 booths, he added.

That extra space next year will be taken by current exhibitors that weren't able to find space this year and by 300 Taiwan-based and 100 non-Taiwan-based companies that wanted extra space but couldn't get it, said Li Chang, deputy secretary general of the Taipei Computer Association.

Despite the availability of the Internet and other sources of information about where to source products, Computex and shows like it are still relevant to the IT business community, Chang said.

"Other sources are helpful," he said. "But an exhibition allows face-to-face discussions. Exhibitions have over 100 years of experience, but they are still very important."