Cebit fair shrinks for second year as economies slump

Cebit, the world's largest technology fair, lost both visitors and exhibitors for a second year, reflecting sluggish spending on products like personal computers and mobile phones.

About 300,000 people visited Cebit during the first half of the show, which runs March 12 through March 19 in Hanover, Germany. The show's organizers expect about 600,000 visitors, compared with 674,000 visitors llast year. The number of exhibitors has fallen 10 percent.

Visitors ranging from company executives to taxi drivers said they noticed the drop in attendance. European businesses may spend less on technology for a third year in 2003, according to a study by research group Gartner Inc last week.