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Domestic IT Companies Less Keen to Show Off
Foreign information technology (IT) companies have shown more zest in an Internet show later this month than their Chinese counterparts.
The different reactions are being blamed on a lack of publicity and too much emphasis on inviting foreign firms along, sources say.
Sponsored by British GDS International and China Economic & Trade Consultants Corporation, the Internet business and technology exhibition -- Enterprise China 2000 -- will be held at the China World Trade Centre in Beijing from November 29 to December 1.
Cynthia Song, general manager of the GDS Events Management Department, said more than 80 prominent IT firms are registered to take part, including many US NASDAQ listed companies.
But she admitted that relatively few Chinese IT companies have agreed to exhibit.
"It is mainly because we have been focusing on inviting foreign companies from abroad," she explained.
Poor publicity is also thought to be a factor contributing to the lukewarm reaction from domestic IT companies.
But other reasons should also be mentioned.So far this year, several big exhibitions on computer and Internet technology have been held in Beijing, and on-site transactions are varied.
"In spite of many media reports about the Internet, the distance between most Chinese enterprises and e-commerce remains huge," said Li Muchun, deputy general manager of Tsinghua Dascom Network Security Company.
He said his company preferred to advertise their products through direct marketing rather than take part in exhibitions.
Even many companies who have established a website only use the Internet to advertise their products -- actual deals and communication between consumers and enterprises on the Web are still rare in China.
Song said it was easy to get foreign firms interested in the exhibition. When she first marketed it abroad, many IT firms including Oracle and Sun Microsystems showed great enthusiasm in taking part.
"The best way to get clients on your side and establish a good and honest working relationship is to provide them with the best possible service from the very beginning," said Judy Tan, a representative from one participating company.
Besides new e-commerce technology which will be exhibited at the event, there will also be a series of seminars where experts will deliver speeches on topics including e-commerce applications, communications and Internet marketing.
The exhibition is still open to any other firms who want to take part. For more information see www.enterprisechina2000.com.
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