Electronic Design Survey Shows 73 Percent of mainland China and Taiwan Engineers Design Asics Using 0.18-Micron Technology - up 21 Percentage Points From 2004

HONG KONG -- Nov. 3, 2005 -- Global Sources Ltd. (Nasdaq: GSOL) and Gartner Inc. (NYSE: IT) annual joint study, Design Trends & Electronic Design Automation (EDA) Tools: Mainland China & Taiwan, shows that 73 percent of mainland China and Taiwan engineers are using 0.18 micron or finer process technology in application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) design -- up 21 percentage points from 2004.

For standard IC projects, 52 percent of mainland China and Taiwan engineers are using 0.18 micron or finer line widths -- up 10 percentage points from 2004.

Design Trends & EDA Tools: Mainland China & Taiwan surveyed 378 mainland China engineers and 226 Taiwan engineers, and compares design trends and use of EDA tools in both areas. The survey was jointly conducted by Global Sources' biweekly design publication, Electronic Engineering Times-Asia (EE Times-Asia), and leading market research firm Gartner.

EE Times-Asia publisher Mark Saunderson said: "Most surveyed designers are using 0.18 micron technology for both ASIC and standard IC design. Using 0.18 microns and finer processes enables engineers to develop more compact, integrated components which can then be used for more efficient electronic devices."

Electronic design finished in four iterations

The survey shows that 66 percent of Taiwan respondents and 69 percent of China respondents use four iterations or less in ASIC development -- up 16 and 11 percentage points respectively from 2004.

Principal analyst of Gartner Dataquest's design and engineering group, Nancy Wu, said: "The use of fewer iterations shows that EDA tools are becoming more sophisticated and that engineers are becoming more skilled at using EDA software."

"Asia is one of the fastest growing markets for EDA software. In 2004, the Asian EDA market grew by more than 20 percent -- faster than North America, Europe and Japan."

Consumer products dominate electronic design

Thirty-five percent of designers cited consumer electronics as their key focus. Other key application segments included:

• Communication products -- 19 percent
• Computers and computer peripherals -- 15 percent
• Industrial controls -- 16 percent

Saunderson added: "Automotive design is gaining importance -- it was a key focus for 8 percent of 2005's respondents, up from 3 percent in 2004."

The survey also analyzes trends in system design, PCB design and FPGA/PLD design. It examines EDA tools used by engineers, factors considered in tool purchase decisions and engineers' design goals for future projects.

Design Trends & EDA Tools: Mainland China & Taiwan is the latest in EE Times-Asia's annual surveys of Asia and China's electronics sector. The surveys complement the specialized technical information provided by EE Times-Asia and Electronics Supply & Manufacturing-China. They are a key part of Global Sources' integrated information offering that covers the electronics industry from design to export.

For complete results and analysis, please visit http://www.eetasia.com .

About Global Sources

Global Sources is a leading business-to-business (B2B) media company and a primary facilitator of two-way trade with Greater China. It provides sourcing information to volume buyers and integrated marketing services to suppliers.

The company helps its community of more than 463,000 active buyers to source more profitably from complex, overseas supply markets. With the goal of providing as many effective ways as possible to advertise, market and sell, Global Sources enables suppliers to sell to hard-to-reach buyers in 230 countries.

The company offers the most extensive range of media and export marketing services in the industries it serves. Suppliers using its four primary channels -- online marketplaces, magazines, trade shows and direct online sales -- are supported by its advertising creative, education programs and online content management applications.

Global Sources delivers information on 1.4 million products and more than 130,000 suppliers annually through 10 leading online marketplaces and monthly magazines, more than 90 sourcing research reports, and 14 China Sourcing Fairs and other trade shows. Global Sources Direct is the company's new initiative that will help suppliers sell through eBay. Buyers send 5 million inquiries annually to suppliers through Global Sources Online ( http://www.globalsources.com ) alone.

In mainland China, Global Sources has a 24-year track record and more than 1,300 team members in 44 locations. Its services are backed by 35 years experience as a trade magazine publisher, 14 years as an organizer of trade shows, and 10 years as an online marketplace operator.

Electronic Engineering Times-Asia is published by eMedia Asia Ltd., a joint venture between Global Sources and CMP, a leading integrated media company providing essential information and marketing services to the entire technology spectrum. The joint venture is a leading provider of new technology content, in print and online for the 150,000-plus technology specialists that drive the electronics industry in China and Asia. eMedia Asia Ltd. serves this community's ongoing need for the right information, at the right time through its integrated, local-language web networks, premier technical events and industry-leading publications -- Electronics Supply & Manufacturing-China, Electronic Engineering Times-Asia and Electronic Design- China.

About Gartner

Gartner, Inc. (NYSE: IT) is the leading provider of research and analysis on the global information technology industry. Gartner serves more than 9,000 clients, including CIOs and other senior IT executives in corporations and government agencies, as well as technology companies and the investment community. The Company focuses on delivering objective, in-depth analysis and actionable advice to enable clients to make more informed business and technology decisions. The Company's businesses consist of Gartner Research and Events for IT professionals; Gartner Executive Programs, membership programs and peer networking services; and Gartner Consulting, customized engagements with a specific emphasis on outsourcing and IT management. Founded in 1979, Gartner is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, and has over 3,900 associates, including more than 1,200 research analysts and consultants in more than 75 countries worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.gartner.com .