The Semiconductor Industry Assn. (SIA) has forecast, based on data prepared by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics Committee, that the worldwide chip industry will grow 4.6% in 1997 and ship $138 billion worth of product. The increase compares with an abnormal drop in 1996 when shipments fell by more than 10% worldwide, which, says the SIA, was a result of depreciation of the yen and European currencies against the dollar.
The U.S. market--accounting for 33% of the worldwide market--is expected to rise 6.8% to $45.6 billion, after a 9.2% decrease in 1996, and then continue on with above 20% growth per year through the decade. Again accounting for economic assumptions of currencies for specific regions, the WSTS data forecasts the European market rising 6.9% and shipping $29.2 billion; Asia Pacific rising 9.7% and shipping $30.2 billion; and Japan decreasing by 3.4% to $33 billion. The forecast represents net product shipments of all chip companies in a region, including foreign subsidiaries, as well as intradivisional and interdivisional sales, except internal production.
