Commenting on the survey, EE Times-Asia Publisher Mark A. Saunderson, said, "IC design activity is very much on the increase in Mainland China and Taiwan. Both regions are looking to secure a significant portion of the regional electronics design market. Although Taiwan still takes the lead in the usage of EDA tools, the survey results show that Mainland China is making headway in terms of its capabilities."

The research was undertaken to identify, compare and contrast current and emerging trends in Mainland China and Taiwan's design activities. It was based on an online survey sent to more than 40,000 design engineers. The respondents associated EDA software usage with their product designs across eleven industry sectors, including consumer electronics, computers and computer peripherals, datacom/networking, telecommunications and design services.

"When comparing this year's response with that of 2001, we see indications that use of leading-edge EDA tools is intensifying," continued Mr. Saunderson. "The number of required iterations is decreasing despite an increase in design complexity. Similarly, the number of Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) and Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) gate counts is on the increase."

The joint research shows that in Mainland China, the electronic design segment continues to be dominated by datacom/networking followed by consumer electronics and telecommunications applications. In Taiwan, electronic design remains centered around the computer and computer peripheral segment, with 28 percent of respondents citing it as the main area of application. However, design activity in both the datacom/networking and telecommunications segments has grown over the past 12 months.

Mainstream design process technology in both areas has progressed toward finer line widths since 2001, advancing toward 0.25 micron from 0.35 micron. In Taiwan, 25 percent of respondents said that they are now engaged in 0.18 micron process design compared with 20 percent a year ago. Mainland China too, is gradually moving toward more advanced process design. About 2.5 percent of designers utilizing 0.25 micron process technology and above in 2001 have shifted directly to the 0.18 micron domain.

Gartner Dataquest Chief Analyst -- EDA, Mr. Gary Smith said "'Design Trends and EDA Tools: China & Taiwan' is our first concurrent study of these two important EDA markets, and our third successful study in collaboration and partnership with EE Times-Asia. The survey findings reveal that design expertise and requirements in Mainland China continue to move closer to those in Taiwan. Year-on-year comparisons of growing design complexity and EDA application tend to suggest that Mainland China could overtake both Korea and Taiwan as the largest market for EDA tools in the future."

Mr. Smith will officially present the research results in a white paper at the 10th Electronic Design Automation & Test Expo (EDA&T) organized by Global Sources, in Hsinchu, Taiwan on October 3. Those who are interested in attending the presentation can register with Ms. Alice Hsieh by e-mail at alicehsieh@globalsources.com or by phone at (886-2) 2712-6877, ext. 371.

The White paper on "Design Trends & EDA Tools: China & Taiwan" is available at http://www.eetasia.com

About Global Sources

Global Sources creates and facilitates global trade between buyers and suppliers, by providing the right information, at the right time, in the right format. Our integrated sourcing and marketing solutions enable importers to buy, and exporters to sell, more effectively and profitably.

We aggregate and format industry-specific supplier and product information, then deliver this content to our buyer community worldwide through our leading network of 23 vertical marketplaces, 14 geographic portals, magazines, CD-ROMs, private catalogs and exhibitions. Our flagship marketplace, Global Sources Online ( http://www.globalsources.com ), hosts more marketing and sourcing activity than any other global merchandise trade marketplace.

We serve a growing, independently certified community of more than 337,000 active buyers in over 230 countries and territories. These buyers generate more than 3 million inquiries annually for over 148,000 suppliers through Global Sources Online alone. We offer extensive supplier enablement capabilities in Greater China and other leading supply markets through 60 content management offices and 700 sales representatives, who make approximately 40,000 supplier visits monthly.

Global Sources' solutions are based on 31 years as a trade magazine publisher serving the global trade community, 11 years as a trade management software developer, and 6 years as an online marketplace operator.

eMedia Asia Ltd. is a joint venture between Global Sources and CMP Media LLC., a dominant high-technology media company in America. The venture is a leading provider of new technology content, in print and online for the 150,000-plus technology specialists that drive China and Asia's electronics industry. eMedia Asia Ltd. serves this community's ongoing need for the right information, at the right time through its integrated, local-language web network, premier technical event series and leading publications Electronic Buyers' News-China and Electronic Engineering Times-Asia.

About Gartner, Inc.

Gartner Dataquest is the recognized leader in providing the high- technology and financial communities with market intelligence for the semiconductor, computer systems and peripherals, communications, document management, software, and services sectors of the global information technology industry.

Gartner, Inc. is a research and advisory firm that helps more than 10,500 clients understand technology and drive business growth. Gartner's businesses consist of Gartner Research, Gartner Consulting, Gartner Measurement and Gartner Events. Founded in 1979, Gartner is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, and has 4,000 associates, including 1,200 research analysts and consultants, in more than 90 locations worldwide. Fiscal 2001 revenue totaled $963 million. For more information, visit http://www.gartner.com .

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27-A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21-E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements as a result of the risks associated with the Company's business, changes in general economic conditions, and changes in the assumptions used in making such forward-looking statements.