Digital imaging centres that utilize products and technologies from Legend and Kodak will be set up in 50 of Legend's retail shops by the year-end. Customers will be able to print digital photos, take digital snapshots and make multimedia discs at these locations.

Another 300 of Legend's stores will also enter Kodak's membership printing network before the year-end and become Kodak's digital photo printing outlets.

"Legend is changing from a computer vendor to a digital product and service provider," said Liu Jun, vice-president of Legend.

He said digital cameras will surpass traditional cameras and be used by more Chinese families.

The rapid price shrinkage of digital cameras will encourage more individual users, Liu said.

Legend recently introduced its first digital camera with a surprisingly low price of under 1,000 yuan (US$120). But most digital cameras in the market are priced over 2,000 yuan (US$240).

Chen Yaorong, director of Kodak's China business, said the two companies will develop more co-operations in digital imaging.

More of Legend's 3,000 retail stores will enter Kodak's printing network and more Kodak digital imaging centres will be set up at Legend stores. Kodak is also considering using more hardware and software products from Legend, Chen said.

Kodak previously forecast that 400,000 digital cameras will be purchased in China this year. The number was recently revised to 500,000, but it may face further revision as market demand is very strong, Chen said.

(China Daily September 20, 2002)