Viboon Wong, president of the ATCM, said the association was planning to ask the government to encourage government agencies to use local brand PCs. Since around 60 per cent of desktop computers used in the government sector are international brands, the government should use more locally produced computers.

This will promote the local PC industry while increasing competitiveness for local manufacturers, he said.

The IT market in 2006 grew around 12.6 per cent and was worth  Bt141.4 billion. Meanwhile, the IT market this year will have a growth rate of around 15 per cent. One key factor which drives the IT industry is the investment of the government and this will be a business opportunity for local manufacturers.

"If the government wants to promote local industry, it should turn to local products," he said.

The association has also conducted a survey about the demands of customers and found that around 8 per cent want to buy new PC because of their lower cost. It also expected the PC market will continue to grow with a projected 1.4 million to 1.5 million PC units shipped this year.

Jirapan Boonnoon

The Nation