Germany's annual IT business fair CeBIT said Sunday that the digitalisation of the economy is primary focus at this year's event, and the strong presence from China as partner country is attracting great attention.
CeBIT, hosted by Deutsche Messe AG, is the world's top trade fair for information and communication technology. This year's event will be held during March 16-20 in Germany's central north city Hanover.
More than 3,400 companies from some 70 countries and regions are expected to gather at the trade fair to showcase thousands of innovations from the digital world. The top idea of CeBIT 2015 is wrapped up in the word "d!conomy" (digital economy).
"Digitalisation affects all sectors of society and economy. It's not only about softwares or hardwares, but mindsets," said Oliver Frese, board member of Deutsche Messe AG, on Sunday during a press conference before the official kick-off of the fair later in the day.
All sectors of companies will have to deal with the topic of digital economy so as to keep competitive in the future, said Frese.
"It's not about individual processes order products when it comes to the topic of digital economy," Dieter Kempf, President of German IT industry association BITKOM, told reporters at the press conference.
It's about the big picture affecting all sectors, ranging from car markers, mechanical engineering companies to agriculture and service industry, Kempf added.
China is the official partner country of CeBIT 2015. Its showcase, themed "Innovation, Convergence, Cooperation," comprises over 760 exhibitors, featuring a wide range of high-tech firms, including big names like Alibaba, Huawei, Xiaomi and ZTE.
Besides the big names, a wide range of small and medium sized enterprises will also present their latest products and solutions on smart cities, cloud computing, big data and other areas of digital economy.
"We have noticed a shift towards the east when it comes to digitalisation," said Frese.
"Every second company, which was founded in China, comes from the digital environment. And emphasis is placed on IT industry in research and development," he noted.
This strategic development in China, Frese added, is also noticeable at CeBIT 2015 with its huge showing, which "makes it the strongest partner country presentation we've ever seen at CeBIT".
Speaking about China's position in the digital world, Kempf said "Chinese companies are equally important as those from the United States and European countries."
He said he noticed China's huge enthusiasm for IT sector and high-tech products made by Chinese companies, looking forward to see China's innovations presented at this year's fair.
Kempf also stressed the importance of international cooperation in relation to digitalisation.
"Companies from different countries should and must cooperate with each other to cope with challenges in this field," he said.
