Intel Chairman Craig Barrett is is uncertain when demand for
semiconductors will pick up, and he believes stimulus packages drawn up
by governments around the world will take quite some time to show any
effect and prop up consumer demand.
During his Beijing visit, Barrett told reporters he expects the
stimulus packages will make an impact in six to 18 months. "So you pick
your time that you want the recovery to occur
in that six to 18-month period, and your guess is as good as
anyone's," said Barrett.
According to The Semiconductor Industry Association, demand for
microprocessors has dropped by about 30 percent compared to 2008.
Demand is expected to remain well under 2008 levels for the next
several quarters, but it is slowly picking up.
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