– Asia’s representative total electronics exhibition showcases the next-generation electronics industry in one place
– Approximately 1,000 domestic and foreign companies, 2,000 foreign buyers and 60,000 visitors participate
– The driving force behind Korea’s electronics industry, which ranks fourth in the world

The Korea Electronics Show (KES), Asia’s representative exhibition, takes place from October 12 to 15 at KINTEX in Ilsan of Goyang City, Gyeonggi Province. KES features not only cell phones, semiconductors and displays that have achieved the world’s highest market shares, but also next-generation industry developments such as 3D IT, green IT, robot IT and e-health.

KES is hosted by the Gyeonggi Provincial Government and sponsored jointly by the Korea Electronics Association (KEA), the Korea Semiconductor Industry Association (KSIA) and the Korea Display Industry Association (KDIA). Approximately 1,000 domestic and foreign companies, 2,000 foreign buyers and 60,000 visitors from 12 countries are expected to participate (2009 results: 865 companies, 54,000 visitors and USD 1.55 billion in consultations).

At the opening ceremony and under the slogan of “IT’s My Life,” roughly 500 luminaries are scheduled to be present including Knowledge Economy Vice Minister Ahn Hyoun-Ho, Gyeonggi Vice Governor Yoo Youn-Chae, KEA Chairman Yoon Jong-Yong, KSIA Chairman Gwon O-Hyoun, KDIA Chairman Gwon Young-Soo and Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency President Jo Hwan-Ik.

KES2010 features semiconductors and displays together and exhibits related components as well as completed products. These are expected to capture the interest of foreign buyers and also help CEOs develop insights regarding future technical trends and investment opporuntities.

KES, marking its 51st year in the electronics industry, has seen the advent of cassette players, color TVs, semiconductors and cell phones, and has been the driving force behind the expansion of Korea’s electronics industry – which now ranks fourth in the world – since its launch in 1969 at Deoksugung Palace.

In particular, 2008 was the starting point of a change in the show’s approach. KES incorporated the new concept of a ‘value chain’ that encompasses the whole process from research, development, design, and production to distribution. Accordingly, KES featured designs, research, contents and distribution as well as products, and also showcased not only IT, 3D, U-health, digital broadcasting equipment, and next-generation computing and home appliances but also ICT, multimedia and car electronics. As a result, it was a hit with participants.

This year a hall will be set up with the concept of a ‘Show in a Show,’ in which kitchenware, small home appliances, healthcare products and beauty care products suitable for modern lifestyles will be exhibited. This will be done under the theme ‘Loving Consumer Electronics’ and is expected to capture the interest of young couples and visitors interested in home appliances.

KES2010 will provide guidance regarding the future of the electronics and IT industries. During the exhibition, the government and many research institutes are scheduled to jointly hold Smart Korea 2010, through which they will discuss plans to develop IT and smart TV. In addition, Korean and foreign app developers plan to hold a meeting and to demonstrate various applications, highlighting a process in which the main agents of market are shifting from sellers/distributors to consumers. This is expected to provide more opportunities to more businesses.

KES2010 has the merit of facilitating visits by foreign buyers because it is held in conjunction with other electronics exhibitions in other Asian countries, such as CEATEC in Japan on October 5th, TAIRONICS in Taiwan on October 11th, and Electronics Fair in Hong Kong on October 13th. Accordingly, more buyers are expected to visit.

KES2010 will be held together with International Semiconductor Exhibition (i-SEDEX) and International Meeting on Information Display (IMID) so that participating companies can cut costs and more foreign buyers can participate. Moreover, various events such as foreign buyers’ skull sessions, state-of-the-art technology seminars and new product presentations will be held to satisfy all participating companies and visitors and to create added value.

Leading representatives of the electronics industry are scheduled to visit from China, India and Russia, and approximately 1,000 companies including Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics and Redrover from 30 countries including Korea, USA, Japan, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore will participate.

“In terms of electronics and IT, Gyeonggi Province accounts for 41% of the national average; in a word, Gyeonggi is the hub of the national electronics industry,” said a Gyeonggi governmental official. He continued, “KES2010 is expected to be a global window for the promotion of our world-leading products.”

–  Inquiries: Economic Policy Division 8008-2443 

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