Koelnmesse shifts market focus to China
By Zou Huilin (China Daily)
Updated: 2004-09-22 08:58

Wolfgang Kranz, executive vice president of Koelnmesse said, "The Chinese market is becoming increasingly important as many of our major exhibitors, which are world-renowned companies, had already suggested we come here to organize shows before 2002."

He added that at present, Koelnmesse holds 15 international exhibitions outside Germany, and seven of them are in China's major cities such as Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai.

The seven fairs are dedicated to fields such as woodwork and furniture, children's clothing, photographic equipment, hardware, sewing machines and food and candy.

David Feng, the general manager of Koelnmesse (China) Co Ltd, said, "Shanghai has been holding three of the seven fairs in China, thanks to its significant position in China's economy."

Kranz pointed out that before Koelnmesse came to China the company had asked several internationally renowned consulting companies to take surveys of the Chinese market.

The results suggested the consumption ability of Chinese consumers, especially those in Shanghai, has been growing extremely rapidly in the past five years.

"So we chose Shanghai as the host city for the fair, '2004 Sweets China'."

Feng added that in the coming year, the photographic equipment show will also be moved to Shanghai, making Shanghai the host of the majority of trade shows in China.

Feng also revealed that the company is planning to introduce another international fair to Shanghai in 2005, but refused to disclose its details.

Wolfgang Kranz believes "2004 Sweet China," which opened yesterday in Shanghai, will offer professionals a lot of the latest information about the world's food and sweets industries.

There are 175 exhibitors attending the fair and 55 of them are from China, the rest are world leading manufacturers.

Kranz explained that thanks to China's great market potential in the food and sweets sectors, these international manufacturers are eager to display their latest products.

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