Taiwan-based computer maker Acer officially confirmed that it will invest US$150m in Chongqing to build its biggest global IT manufacturing centre and set up its second base on the mainland. The plant will manufacture tablet PCs, with annual production estimated at 40m units. About 90 per cent of its output will be sold in other markets.

Acer selected Chongqing because of its stable supply of manpower, good utilities and strong government support. It also cited sound transport connections to Europe and southeast China.

CEO Gianfranco Lanci said that Acer is aiming to become the second-largest PC company in the PRC, after Lenovo. It is currently in sixth position according to consultants IDC, with a second quarter 2010 market share of 3.6 per cent.