CORONAVIRUS/Taiwan's Computex to go hybrid in May amid COVID-19

Taipei, Jan. 22 (CNA) Taiwan's Computex 2022, one of the world's largest computer and technology trade shows, will kick off in both forms -- physically and virtually -- in May at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact global economic activity, according to the organizer Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA).

The government-sponsored TAITRA said the physical Computex will open on May 24 and run through May 27 at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, while the online show -- the COMPUTEX DigitalGO -- will also begin on May 24, but will not end until June 6.

Computex 2022 will focus on the six major themes: "Accelerating Intelligence," "Connected X-Experience," "Digital Resilience," Innovative Computing," "Sustainability," and "Innovations and Startups," the TAITRA said.

Amid COVID-19, the TAITRA said, this year's Computex will become more flexible by launching its online show, which will feature four characteristics -- "Tech Insights," "Hybrid Displays," "Matchmaking and Networking" and "Hyper-Personalized Recommendations" -- to allow more flexibility for the 2022 event.

The organizer said it is making contacts with many prominent tech brands worldwide, hoping these benchmark firms will participate in the 2022 exhibition to create a global tech ecosystem.

The potential exhibitors targeted by the TAITRA include: Taiwan-based PC vendors Acer Inc., Asustek Computer Inc. and Micro-Star International Co., Taiwanese power management solution provider Delta Electronics Inc. and Taiwan's PC peripheral supplier Gigabyte Technology Co.

Many overseas tech giants have also been targeted by the TAITRA, including American dynamic random access memory maker Micron Technology Inc., U.S.-based graphics processing unit brand Nvidia Corp., American server and storage supplier Super Micro Computer Inc. (Supermicro) and the Netherlands' mixed signal and standard product solutions provider NXP Semiconductors NV.

The TAITRA said the upcoming Computex will continue to feature the special InnoVEX pavilion, which will provide a space for start-ups from around the world to exhibit their products or services. Last year, InnoVEX got strong support from firms which came from countries such as France, the Netherlands and South Korea.

As Taiwan is a semiconductor powerhouse, which is expected to generate more than NT$4.5 trillion (US$162 billion) in production value in 2022, the TAITRA said, the upcoming Computex will feature the information communications industry, which covers the semiconductor segment, to demonstrate applications and a comprehensive ecosystem.