Electronics-computer expo opens in HCM City
Source: 19-JUL-2008 Intellasia | Saigon Times Daily page 3
Jul 19, 2008 - 7:00:00 AM The Vietnam Computer Electronics World Expo on Wednesday kicked off in HCM City, attracting tens of thousands of technology lovers upon opening to the show joined by over 200 domestic and foreign exhibitors.

The event is jointly organised by the International Data Group in Vietnam (IDG Vietnam), the HCM City Computer Association and Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI). It is taking place at the HCM City International Exhibition and Convention Centre until July 19.

Being considered as the country's largest expo of the ICT industry, the event aims to offer opportunities for companies to showcase their latest products, increase sales, boost brand names as well as promote the local industry development.

Nguyen Minh Hong, deputy minister of Information and Communications, said at the opening ceremony yesterday that the event was a good chance for giant IT companies to popularise their products and brand names in the country.

Patrick McGovern, chair cum founder of the US-based International Data Group, stated at opening ceremony that Vietnam was actually a potential market with, annual growth rate of 15%.

"We realised that the digital gap between Vietnam and the world is narrowing. Today, many latest products are being presented in the market," McGovern said.

Several years ago, Vietnamese customers only knew the latest products through various mass media means. However, today, they can purchase these products on the domestic market directly, according to McGovern.

This year, the event greets well-known companies to display products like Apple, Asus, Gigabite, HP, LG, MSI, Samsung, Sony, Canon, Toshiba, and Acer among others.

Visitors will see a series of EeePC mini laptop produced by Asus which can save 85% of power. Intel introduces its newest generation processors, namely Intel AtomTM, and Intel Centrino, and performs Wimax technology. Meanwhile, Apple also debuts Macbook Air laptop which is the thinnest laptop in the world, and Canon showcases over 100 digital camera models at the expo.

During the four-day event, the organisers hope to attract around 300,000 visitors.