A Chance for the Domestic IT Industry to Carve a Niche in the World Market

National & Regional IT Industry to Receive a Boost through Korean & Busan Pavilions Event will Promote Korean IT Capability to a Global Audience

ITU Telecom Asia 2004, the exhibition known as the nformation Technology(IT) Olympicsbegins September 7. Accordingly, the exhibition's organizing committee is involved in last minute preparations such as establishing a situation room within the Committee's head quarters and arranging space for the displays in order to ensure the successful hosting of the exhibition. The Committee is mindful of the intent of the exhibition that it is not only a commercial event, but also one of national importance.

The exhibition will showcase the latest IT technology as presented by some 224 IT firms from 27 countries such as Intel, IBM, Sisco Systems, Qualcomm and Sun Microsystems. At the same time the event will attract ministers of information and communications from Britain, Thailand, and Hong Kong and participating company CEOs such as Dr. Irwin Mark Jacobs of Qualcomm. Domestic corporations will demonstrate their capability to visitors from home and abroad through the Korean and Busan pavilions.

Above all, the central government plus Busan Metropolitan City anticipate this year's ITU Telecom Asia could significantly impact the development of the local IT industry.

by Yeo Hong-il, Editor / hiyeo@ittimes.co.kr

The largest telecommunications event in Asia, ITU Telecom Asia will take place in Busan at the Busan Exhibition & Convention Center (BEXCO) from September 7 through to September 11.The International Telecommunications Union, the sponsoring body of ITU Telecom Asia held every two years, intends the exhibition as a place to portray the present status of telecommunications in Asia. The 2004 event is expected to highlight Korea's phase position as an IT power, and to discuss methods to promote common infra development within Asia.

The exhibition will attract world IT leaders such as Lucent Technologies, Sun Microsystems, HP, NTT DoCoMo who will display their latest technologies and product. In addition, Chinese IT firms such as ZTE will introduce state-of-the-art Chinese telecommunication technology, while individual countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, India, Israel, and Japan will exhibit via national pavilions.

While 223 firms had registered as of August 26, the organizing committee is in negotiations with several countries to attract the maximum number of 300 firms by encouraging them to exhibit via national pavilions. (Hong Kong held an IT event just prior that had attracted roughly 300 firms).

At home, top companies such as Samsung Electronics and Bell Wave are scheduled to engage in export negotiations with Asia regional buyers regarding Korean products. The exhibit profile of Korean firms is likely to include next-generation wireless telecommunication technology as well as telecommunication equipment including the latest portable phones such as high end camera phones.

In particular, mobile units that can access information anytime and anywhere are likely to be headliners at ITU Telecom Asia 2004, as are home networks. Under the theme of "Asia leading the Future," this year's event will include conferences and seminars of the highest caliber. Some 300 experts during four sessions, in fact, will set the direction of the world information and telecommunication development and the standards that should be applied.

The opening ceremony plus a welcoming reception to be held September 6.will take place at the convention hall where 1,500 invited guests such as foreign heads of state, IT-related ministers as well as vice-ministers of China, Japan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Iran, Australia, Malaysia, and Russia and the CEOs of Qualcomm and Lucent Technologies will give the keynote addresses. On September 11, the exhibition will be open to the general public to enable them to witness first hand the latest information and telecommunication technology from around the world. In particular, Asian IT ministers are scheduled to hold conferences on regional information and telecommunications policy.

ITU Telecom Asia 2004 is forecast to have wide ranging effects on the Busan economy and the domestic IT industry. Firstly, through the attending firms and 20,000 visitors it is expected to attract, the event is expected to generate 185 billion won in added value.

Furthermore, the exhibition can promote the Korean IT Korean industry and the solutions it offers to a global audience. In addition, the exhibition offers substantial opportunities to be able to publicize products and companies, hold export negotiations, develop cooperative relations with Korean IT corporations, penetrate third country markets, and attract capital. At the same time, the Busan Metropolitan Government is betting that ITU Telecom Asia will promote the status of Busan as an international city.