Fear of severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) has resulted in a rash of trade show cancellations in Taiwan, but many exporters are grateful for the change in plans.
Top of the list last week was the postponement of Computex, one of the region's biggest technology trade events, just 33 days before it was to kick off at the Taipei World Trade Centre.
Organisers were ready to brag about record exhibitor numbers this year, but had to face disappointment when exhibitors called for the show to be postponed.
Computex is the world's third-largest information technology show, behind CeBIT and Comdex.
The Taipei Computer Association (TCA) and the China External Trade Development Council (Cetra) tried hard to go ahead with the show.
The TCA said it was going ahead with the event, while the venue's Web site carried messages saying 'Taipei trade shows proceed on schedule' and urging visitors not to be deterred by Sars.
But exhibitors, fearing few buyers would turn up, started to bow out in droves; more than 90 per cent were reported to have cancelled their booths, compelling the organisers to drop the show.
