Brightest Shop Window for High-tech Marvels

AStrategic Cooperation Advisory Committee was established at the close of the six-day Expo in a bid to strengthen cooperation in the exposition industry and to establish a service platform for high-tech commercialization, industrialization and internationalization.

This new global think-tank includes members from US-based COMDEX; Ericsson; Hong Kong Trade Development Council; US Qualcomm Group; Italy International Information Communication Technology Expo; the Economic and Business Development Bureau of the State of Utah; and Zurich Insurance Service Group.

COMDEX representative Barbara Powers said:"We have come to realize that international exhibitions and conferences have become a major industry of the service sector, and an important means to conduct economic and technological cooperation and exchange on an international level."

Robots Grab Spotlight

The Expo's Pavilion of Robots and Automation Technology recorded the largest number of visitors to the China International Exhibition Center venue. Robots on display were programmed to clean skyscraper windows, receive and direct guests, perform micro operations in the field of bio-medicine; display artificial intelligence; assemble and operate products on manufacturing lines; and behave like intelligent animals.

The most acclaimed robot was exhibited by Haier, China's leading producer of home appliances. Called "intelligent service automaton" the device is able to converse with customers, guide shoppers and other groups, and undertake publicity work. Another star at the pavilion was an artificial footballer whose promoter predicted that robotic players would compete and score against human players 30 years from now.

$7.35b Contractual Pay Day

The Expo saw the conclusion of agreements on 397 projects valued at a total US$7.35 billion. Of these, 337 concerned investment activities worth a total of $7.12 billion in contractual value a sum largely destined for new- and high-tech projects. The balance involved trade undertakings.

A number of transnational companies on the Fortune 500 list are involved in many of these projects. Among them are US-based Du Pont; Electricite de France; and the Republic of Korea's Hyundai. More than 600,000 people directly participated in Expo activities, which embraced exhibitions, seminars and trade fairs.

BDA Maintains Winning Habit

This year's Expo again saw Beijing's Economic -Technological Development Area (BDA) win the most valuable contracts, just as it did at the 2001 and 2000 events. This time around the contracts were worth a total of US$3.21 billion, mostly the result of deals with foreign investors, an increase of about $300 million against last year.

The total value of 22 projects exceeded $10 million, while Beijing Semi-Conductor Company Ltd., concluded an agreement worth $1.25 billion. Pillar industries at the BDA, such as electronic information, bio-tech and new pharmaceuticals, are benefiting from the fact that Top 500 companies are opening facilities in Beijing. Local home-appliance maker Haier, meanwhile, has agreed to establish a logistics center in the zone to manage its business in the capital.

Incentives for Returning Students

The Expo hosted trade talks and potential future business for up to 160 Chinese students currently studying in the US, Britain, France, Canada, Japan, Sweden, Ireland, Denmark and Singapore, and who may return to their homeland to start a business. Some, in fact, have already returned, bringing with them more than 200 projects in such areas as genetics, biomedicine, electronic commerce, wireless telecommunication, environmental protection and customer management.

After two days of talks with domestic high-tech start-ups, listed companies and venture-capital firms, some of the students signed a total of 16 agreements for investment and trade worth a total of more than US$73 million.

Potential Hurdles to High-tech Progress

While it is possible for China's high-tech sector to catch up with, or even emulate, the world's more technologically advanced nations, it is far from easy for the world's most populous country to hold its own in terms of R&D and production mechanisms, claims Guo Lihong, a researcher with the Development Research Center of the State Council.

At an Expo seminar, he identified three obstacles to China's development of high-tech products and development: the old rigid systems that prevail in high-tech industry; lack of laws and regulations to ensure fair play between competing companies; and, on occasions, national policies that contradict local counterparts. China also lacks an established venture-capital system, the only alternative for enterprises needing funding being a weak capital market. Guo said that because of such failings, China has no technology-industry center, while there are 41 such centers around the world, including in Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Timely New Ericsson R&D Institute

With perfect timing, telecommunications giant Ericsson announced the opening of its China Research and Development Institute on the eve of the Expo, thus firmly demonstrating its interest in, and commitment to, this, the world's largest market. Ericsson's CEO, Kurt Hellstron, said entry to the Chinese market is critical to the future development of his company.

Large market potential, a sound investment environment, resourceful talent, and complete research and development facilities would, he explained, help Ericsson provide its global network with better products and services. The new institute aims to undertake more R&D work on Ericsson's global projects by integrating the forces of its six such centers in China. Meanwhile, the newcomer will promote collaboration with local research institutes and universities.

Early Bids Invited at Briefing

During the Expo, a Beijing 2008 Olympic Games & Related Construction Projects Briefing publicized the overall plan for Olympic venues and related urban construction. More than 300 people, including 200 foreign delegates, attended the briefing and subsequent talks, the better to gain deeper understanding of the plans.

The event included an invitation for public bidding for construction projects, even though official public bidding is slated for this month. The five projects for which bids were invited were the Beijing Chaoqiao Gas United Circulation Power Plant; Sludge Digestion Center of North Beijing; Urban Infrastructure; Comprehensive Waste Disposal Plant for Chaoyang District; and projects in Fentai District.

Nanning's Impressive Investment Potential Executives of more than 800 Beijing companies attended the Nanniing Sci-Tech & Economic Investment Talks C held during the Expo C to consider investing in this Guanxi Autonomous Region city. The talks, in three sessions, covered inter-city cooperation between Nanning and Beijing; Nanning's tourism resources; and its investment environment.

Nanning Municipal Government officials saw the Beijing Expo as a great opportunity to hold their own scientific and technological trade and investment conference. Thus they presented 216 investment possibilities, including infrastructural construction; new- and high-tech projects; industrial renovation; modern agriculture; bioengineering; real estate; the tourism industry; sports; and industrial parks. Nanning mayor Lin Guoqiang emphasized to his audience his city's geographical advantages, and outlined its impressive economic growth.