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Registration up for German high-tech exhibition in 2005

CeBIT, the world's biggest high-tech and computer trade show, is expected to attract more attendees next year as corporate executives are more willing to spend amid global economic revival, the organizer said in Taipei yesterday.

The growth in exhibitors underscores the fact that the annual show remains a major gateway for electronics makers to the world market, and particularly to Europe.

Similar trade fairs, including Comdex Fall in the US, have gone out of business due to insufficient numbers of exhibitors and visitors.

Around 6,224 electronics makers around the world, up almost 2 percent from 6,109 -- with the biggest increase from China -- are expected to participate in the seven-day exhibition in Hannover, Germany, starting March 10, Deutsche Messe AG said.

Managing director Jorg Schomburg attributed the increase to the recovering global economy.

"Normally if the economy is doing well, more companies participate in trade shows, while in the downturns they save any penny," Schomburg said.

"Now we're seeing a very good sign of growth," he said.

The global information technology sector is expected to recover to reach 6 percent average annual growth next year to reach 229.1 billion euros (US$281.8) in sales, up from a 0.7 percent increase during the last trough in 2000, said Schomburg, citing the latest European Information Technology Observatory projection.

Among the 6,000-plus CeBIT participants, Taiwanese companies account for the largest number, the organizer said.

Next year 726 local companies, up from 700 this year, are set to showcase their products in Hannover, including Acer Inc and BenQ Corp (明基電通), which are making significant progress in Europe's computer market.

Chinese electronics makers including Haier Group (海爾) come next, with registration rising from this year's 182 to 241, about a 32 percent in-crease, according to the trade show organizer.

"We don't think Chinese electronics makers will pose a threat to Taiwanese companies in the current stage, as product quality varies from company to company. But their potential cannot be ignored," said Paddy Chia (賈東屏), general manager of Deutsche Messe AG's local unit.

Among hundreds of Taiwan-ese attendees, BenQ registered the biggest booth space of 736m2, Deutsche Messe AG said.

The three-year-old consumer electronics vendor plans to showcase a wide range of own-brand products, including liquid-crystal-display (LCD) monitors, flat-screen televisions and mobile phones.

"The Eastern European countries joining the EU have proved that the potential for growth in the EU is huge," said Conway Lee, general manager of BenQ's European headquarters in the Netherlands.
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