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Optima releases modest growth forecast

IT Industry - Development

Computer vendor, Optima ICM Limited (ASX: OPI), is forecasting modest growth for the 2005 financial year.

For the 2005 financial year Optima is expecting revenue will be in excess of $120 million and EBIT of $1.8 million. This represents approximately 5% increase in revenue and 2% increase in EBIT over last financial year.

Optima attributes a strong performance in the second half of the financial
year to excellent contributions from education, government and channel
markets.

The Company successfully won a position in the selected panel of three vendors to supply and install computers to NSW government schools under the 'Technology for Learning' program.

3,600 PCs were delivered and installed in more than 200 schools in the last few months. Additional orders are expected under this program at the beginning of the new financial year.

The CE division is also performing well, according to Optima, as the demand of high quality home entertainment products are growing. The HD plasma TV was launched in April and  Optima is planning to launch its LCD TV & Data Projector series in the near future.

Optima believes that the 2006 financial year will see further growth.