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Acer intends to ship 2.5 to three million desktops this year, representing a 67-100 per cent increase over the 1.5 million units it shipped in 2003, said the sources.

Foxconn Electronics (the registered trade name of Hon Hai Precision Industry) will support Acer by providing manufacturing and back-end assembly services, according to the sources.

The sales target is part of the company's ambitious plan to become the world's third largest PC vendor within two to three years.

To achieve this goal, Acer will focus its marketing efforts in three markets - China, India and Thailand - according to company president JT Wang.

Acer's overall PC sales in China rose 16 per cent on year in the first quarter and are expected to advance by 30-40 per cent, 50-60 per cent and 70-80 per cent on year in the next three quarters, Wang said.

Revenues in China are expected to reach NT$10-NT$11 billion this year from NT$7.2 billion in 2003, Wang said.

The PC market in India has the potential to achieve similar growth, Wang said, while adding that the Thailand PC market, which posted a 50 per cent growth in 2003, will continue to expand rapidly in the coming years.

Acer is currently the largest PC brand in Thailand and the third largest in India, according to Wang.