EL SEGUNDO, CA – After years of double-digit annual growth, China's 2008 semiconductor sales are expected to rise only 6.7% year-over-year to reach $81.7 billion, iSuppli Corp. predicts.

China’s domestic market situation improved in 2008, despite regulatory restrictions and an incomplete supply chain, says the research firm. Popular applications supporting new domestic standards will appear in 2009 as their industrial ecosystems mature. Although there is substantial economic uncertainty, continued revenue growth is anticipated in 2009, according to iSuppli.

Moreover, venture capitalists generally lack interest in China's IC industry. A majority of semiconductor firms are short of capital and face cash flow problems.

“iSuppli expects more than 100 Chinese IC companies to disappear within the next two years,” warned Vincent Gu, China research analyst at iSuppli. “Many companies presently are seeking buyers, and a total of four companies already have been acquired by foreign semiconductor firms during the past 12 months.”

iSuppli predicts China's fabless IC industry will grow faster than the foundries, but notes it is fragmented, with about 50 successful companies and dozens more struggling to survive.” Most companies have announced layoffs, cut production lines or have shut down entirely,” Gu said.