Chip sales forecast: $226 bln in 2005, $246 bln in 2006, $273 bln in 2007, $309 bln in 2008

Strong sales of mobile phones, PCs, digital televisions and digital cameras prompted the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) to revise its annual chip sales forecast upward by 6% for 2005, to a record $226 bln. Previously, the trade association predicted sales in 2005 would total about $213 bln. The SIA expects chip sales to reach $246 bln in 2006, $273 bln in 2007 and $309 bln in 2008.