Organisers of Computex Taipei 2003 informed us today that they plan to postpone one of the world’s most exciting IT events this year. Because of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) a lot of companies and their foreign clients refused to come to the exhibition and there were no other way rather than to postpone the event.

The organisers of Computex Taipei 2003, the China External Trade Development Council (CETRA) and the Taipei Computer Association (TCA) jointly decided to postpone Asia’s largest IT event after a detailed review of all factors, including fears that increased travel restrictions would negatively influence buyers turn out. CETRA and Taiwan health authorities have implemented a full program of strict measures to prevent SARS, even though Taiwan is not in the list of areas with negative travel advisories, according to the report from the organisers of Computex Taipei 2003.

Reportedly Taiwanese largest companies and their customers had started to refuse attending the exhibition due to threat of SARS as well as strict quarantine measures imposed by the Taiwan government on visitors from Hong Kong, China, Canada and Singapore.

The exact new dates for Computex Taipei 2003 are expected to be announced by the end of May.