CIHS Shanghai going international

The Chinese market is unquestionably one of the most interesting and important markets of the future. Whereas the markets of western Europe are rapidly becoming characterised by market saturation and stagnation or decline, a start has only just been made on developing the gigantic market of China.
More than 300 exhibitors displayed their wares at this year’s CIHS in Shanghai.
From 10 to 12 October Shanghai was the venue for the CIHS hardware show, one of the industry’s most significant fairs in China with more than 300 exhibitors and a gross exhibition space of approx. 20 000 m².
Central to the ranges displayed by the exhibitors were the categories of locks and fittings, hand tools, power tools and small hardware. However, suppliers from other typical DIY categories were also to be found here and there.
It is scarcely worth mentioning the participation of foreign companies. The names of internationally familiar firms that have a presence in China, like Bosch or Black & Decker, were not to be found.
This lack of participation by foreign companies at the CIHS may partly be connected with the diversity of the fair offering in China and its concentration on narrow product categories. However, this could possibly change dramatically, and as soon as 2003. The exhibition in Shanghai would become more attractive to European and American companies in particular, and represent a springboard onto the Chinese market as a result of the cooperative agreement signed and sealed between the CIHS organisers and Köln Messe immediately before the fair began. The ambitious goal of both partners in Shanghai will also be expressed through the event’s new name from 2003: Practical World Asia.
It is hoped that the number of foreign visitors will also increase greatly from next year, even though some visitors from Europe and America were to be found at this year’s event. Altogether the organisers’ attendance figures show that around 25 000 visitors came to the fair, though these were not all trade visitors.
Practical World Asia 2003 will be held at the new exhibition site in Pudong, Shanghai, from 27 to 29 September.