German technology exhibition on in Bangkok despite global crisis

Nov 4, 2008, 4:46 GMT

   Bangkok - The ninth triennial German Technology Symposium & Exhibition will be held in Bangkok next week despite the gloom created by the US financial meltdown and signs of recession in the US and Europe, organizers said Tuesday.

   'Economic crisis or not, people want new technology,' said Stefan Buerkle, executive director of the German Thai Chamber of Commerce (GTCC), the chief organizer of the event.

   The ninth triennial German Technology Symposium & Exhibition will be held as planned at Central World in Bangkok from November 8 to 11 with some 140 exhibitors and an expected 15,000 visitors from Thailand and neighbouring countries, said Buerkle.

   The exhibition's opening will be attended by Surin Pitsuwan, the secretary general of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN).

   This year's symposiums and exhibitions will focus on German lifestyle, travel and sustainable energy technologies.

   Despite the financial meltdown in the US and Europe, the event has received no cancellations among exhibitors, perhaps reflecting the better prospects for Asian economies during the coming global economic slowdown, said organizers.

   'While all countries will be affected by the economic crisis, Thailand will be less affected,' predicted Buerkle.