By 2005, business-to-business E-commerce trade within this sector will reach $214.0 billion, a huge jump from $47.7 billion in 2001 and $79.8 billion this year. As a percentage of total industry trade, Internet commerce accounted for 3.4% in 2001, a figure that is expected to rise to 5.2% this year and 10.1% in 2005.
Steve Butler, a senior analyst with eMarketer, says the computer and electronics industry is ahead of other business sectors because these companies have always placed an especially high priority on strengthening their value chains.