30 RP firms join S'pore event

At least 30 Philippine companies are expected to join about 1,000 participants from the communications and information technology (IT) industries who will converge in Singapore next month to discuss latest trends and technologies in the region and the world.

CommunicAsia2000, which would be held from June 6-9, is the largest trade exhibition in Asia Pacific, covering 68,000 square meters and a total preparation cost of S$50 million (P1.2 billion).

CommunicAsia is a high profile event which features the who's who of telecom and IT industry. Many exhibitors have increased their stand sizes by huge percentages, said Shaun Goh, executive director of Singapore Exhibition Services, event organizer.

"CommunicAsia is the event where the industry's bigwigs release the latest technologies, gadgets and gizmos. Just last year, we saw the launch of wireless application protocol and bluetooth technology. This year, we are expecting many exhibitors to showcase their bluetooth applications," he said.

Bluetooth is a technology developed by leading telecom suppliers to provide short range radio links between mobile personal computers, mobile phones and other portable devices.

An important component of the year's show, Goh said is the "summit" which bears the theme "Building Asia's Info-Communications Future," with keynote speeches by Asian ministers of communications.

In conjunction with the summit is an exclusive closed-door dialogue session between industry chief executive officers and the Asian ministers.

CommunicAsia's first exhibition was held in 1979 and was just a 1,500-square meter show. It has since enjoyed a 40-fold increase to become Asia's largest telecom and IT event and is expected to attract more than 30,000 trade visitors this year.