UK system builder Allied Computers Industry (ACI) will begin outsourcing notebook production to India with a view to ceasing UK laptop production by September 2005.

ACI will begin building its Ethos range of notebooks in the company's plant in Gandhinagar, Gujarat by the end of July 2004, chairman Hirji Patel told reporters today.

The INR200m (£2.4m) facility will initially fulfil sales in the India and the UK. As more production moves to India, the plant will pump out kit for the Middle East, Sri Lanka, South Africa and East Africa.

"This facility will help bring prices of notebook down even further and spark a massive boom in notebook market in all the companies of ACI's operations," said Patel. ®

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