Foreign exhibitors show tech prowess, seek partnerships

The China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF) has continued to serve as an arena for international companies and institutions to demonstrate their technological ability, with participants attending the yearly tech fair in Shenzhen either online or offline despite the relentless COVID-19 pandemic.

From Monday to today, exhibitors from 13 nations are present at the 23rd China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF) offline displays in Hall 9 of the Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center in Bao’an District.

Exhibitors from 26 countries who are unable to attend the offline event have their high-tech products showcased online.

For the first time, CHTF was held at the exhibition center in Bao’an as well as at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center in Futian District.

“We have five Polish companies with us on site this year and five or six companies online. We are very happy to be here because our presence has grown bigger. Last year, we only had one company on site due to the pandemic,” said Karol Pęczak, head of the economic section of the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Guangzhou.

Pęczak said that Polish companies are keen on presenting their technology and products to the Chinese market, in hopes that they can establish even better ground for mutual exchange and more fruitful business ties.

The Polish delegation has been CHTF’s “old friend” for its participation for the fifth straight year since 2017, according to Pęczak.

With its friendly appearance and interactive abilities, the Polish pavilion’s EMYS robot has been a showstopper at the venue. The English-speaking educational robot is equipped with LCD eyes, a camera, touch sensors, a main screen, speakers and smart toy detectors.

“The robot is designed for children aged 3-7. It enables kids to learn English through interactive tasks, games, crafts and activities, and have a joyful immersion in English,” said Jan Kedzięrski, co-founder of EMYS Inc.

For the first time, Brazil has set up a Brazilian pavilion at this year’s CHTF, with roughly 20 high-tech enterprises participating both online and offline. The companies are from various sectors, including telecommunications, mining, renewable energy, agricultural technology and software service.

The Brazilian delegation also has four state governments joining the fair: Rio Grande do Sul, Tocantins, Cerará and Mato Grosso, which exhibit their innovation and business environments to Chinese investors and firms.

“We are attending the show for the second time, and we believe it is an essential platform for us to expand collaboration with Chinese companies and investors since we share significant business potential,” said Ariana Guedes de Oliveira, Mato Grosso’s international affairs adviser.