Fair builds tech ties across borders

National flags are hanging over the foreign exhibition area at the ongoing China High-Tech Fair, which will close on Thursday. Chen Hong / China Daily

Huge potential

When asked why they have chosen to establish operations in Shenzhen, the major reasons foreign high-tech companies cite are the city's huge potential and manufacturing experience as well as the low cost of doing business there.

"The New Zealand market is too small, and the costs of production are too high. But China is a huge market with large potential," said William Pryde, marketing manager with PowerbyProxi, a company specializing in wireless charging solutions from New Zealand.

The company has developed a charging pad and a special module that allows the batteries in smart devices and other electronics to be recharged wirelessly.

Pryde says that they are looking for business partners in Shenzhen that have experience in manufacturing similar devices.

Shenzhen's sister city since 1997, Nuremberg from Germany has attended the fair since the very beginning.

Doris Schneider, an officer for international economic affairs at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry for Nuremberg and Central Franconia, said that about 30 companies came with the city delegation to Shenzhen, which is three times the number that attended last year.

She said that every year, the delegation will bring at least 10 to 15 companies to the fair.

"There are more companies interested in the Chinese market, especially in Shenzhen," Schneider said.

Most of the companies are manufacturers of industrial equipment for medicine and other high-tech sectors.

"Three companies found Chinese partners here during last year's event. It was very encouraging," she said.

"The (fair) is a good way to introduce us to new partners because companies from all over China will come here for business."

Meanwhile, Shenzhen companies are also active in promoting their brands, technologies and infrastructure to attract foreign buyers and investors during the fair.

The Shenzhen Investment Holdings Co introduced six of its major high-tech innovation centers, including a software development facility, a biotechnology park, an innovation park for biomedicines and a technological center serving Chinese and overseas companies.

According to the company's deputy general manager Wang Huaben, the six projects, which will be put into operation starting at the end of this year, will have floor space totaling 2.4 million sq m.

They include not only R&D facilities, offices and factories but also supporting facilities such as apartments, dormitories and hotels to better serve the high-tech companies there.

Contact the writers through linjingcd@chinadaily.com.cn and chenhong@chinadaily.com.cn