Cutting edge of manufacturing on show
The Asian Industrial Technology Congress '99 (AITC) will present more than 200 new technologies to suppliers, industrialists, entrepreneurs and research and development practitioners from the Pacific Rim.
From plastics, polymers and fibres to health care and bio-technologies; construction materials to municipal waste control; electronics to design and rapid prototyping . . . a huge spectrum of cutting-edge technological and manufacturing innovations will be on show.
AITC '99, which has attracted participants from 15 countries, will be held from April 26-29 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. On the first day there will be speakers' registration, a briefing for the chairmen and speakers, and a welcome reception.
The event is divided into three sections - an exhibition, three symposiums and a matching service.
Congress Steering Board chairman Alexander Tzang, who is also vice-president of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), which is organising the event, said AITC '99 fulfilled three vital roles.
Firstly, it provided a venue for industrialists in Hong Kong to be exposed to new technological innovations.
It would stimulate interest in conducting global research through co-operative opportunities.
And third, it would promote a platform for substantial international technology transfer.
The symposiums will feature speakers and presentations from around the world in three related categories - Manufacturing and Design Technology, New Materials for Manufacturing and Environmental Technology.
Running parallel to the symposiums is an exhibition of the latest industrial technologies, services and products.
Exhibitors are from Hong Kong, the mainland, Asia, Europe and the United States.
Mr Tzang said thousands of industry professionals were expected at the exhibition.
'But the most crucial element of AITC '99, I believe, is the Matching Service,' he said.
'This allows participants to pursue business interests with the best industrial prospects.
The goals of AITC '99 were crucial to the future of both Hong Kong and the region's evolving business focus, Mr Tzang said.
Traditionally Hong Kong and its neighbours commanded a substantial share of the global market in a wide range of industrial outputs. This success was due mainly to lower labour costs, he said.
However, this was not a sustainable competitive edge in the long-term and the region's industries must search for other higher value- added activities to maintain their competitiveness.
'The use or deployment of new and high technology is one effective way to maintain competitiveness,' he said.
Mr Tzang admitted PolyU's involvement in AITC '99 as principal organiser surprised some people, who questioned why an academic institution was involved in the venture.
'But it's a logical progression,' he said. 'We are not like a traditional research university.
'Our aim is to produce both the manpower and the technology that are needed in order to support the development of business and industry.'
