BERLIN, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) -- The 59th "Consumer Electronics Unlimited" (IFA) fair, which attracted a large international audience with new information technology gadgets and technical innovations in mobile computing, 5G and more, wrapped up at the Berlin ExpoCenter city on Wednesday.
This year, 1,939 exhibitors presented the most exciting innovations from the consumer sector and many innovative business to business (B2B) concepts on an exhibit area of almost 150,000 square meters.
Shortly before the end of this year's fair, IFA Director Jens Heithecker was unwilling to speculate on visitor numbers. Last year, IFA attracted around 244,000 visitors.
"Even the last day counts for the exhibitors and for us," noted Heithecker, adding that the number of international visitors and media representatives had risen significantly this year.
Foldable smartphones and tablets with 5G technology, a smart watch that recharged through body heat or a drone that took care of dusting surfaces were some of the main attractions of the fair.
"The world's largest trade fair for digital products not only means that people from all over the world come to us, but also that they have brought the best products with them," emphasized Heithecker.
The prototype of a transparent television from Japanese manufacturer Panasonic was one of the highlights which, when switched off, was more like a window than a TV.
"The basic idea is to integrate the television set more beautifully into the living environment," said Christian Gupta from Panasonic's PR department.
This year, the IFA fair once again also looked beyond consumer goods to the broader theme of mobility during the "Shift Automotive" conference, which was held for the second time.
Experts and representatives of major car manufacturers, such as BMW, Daimler and Ford, discussed the mobility of the future as well as topics such as autonomous driving and sharing.
Heithecker emphasized, however, that the IFA trade fair did not have ambitions to establish itself as a major platform for car manufacturers.
"We do not want to be the next automobile fair, definitely not," said Heithecker. Instead, the Berlin trade fair wanted to stick to its concept of a discussion event on the subject of digitally supported mobility.
From Sept. 19 to 21, CE China, a global IFA event would be held in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong province, with exhibitors presenting on autonomous vehicles, concept cars, electric as well as intelligent vehicles.
Zhiying Chen, executive vice mayor of Guangzhou Municipality, headed a delegation which attended the IFA fair in Berlin in order to solidify relations with the Brandenburg region and Europe at large ahead of the CE China fair.
"I think the partnership is very good, with great potential," said Chen. The partnership between the German and Chinese fairs helped each side to "learn more about each other's products, companies and markets".
Yuyue Gao, vice secretary-general for the People's Government of Guangzhou Municipality, noted a shift in trade interest towards Europe and said that major enterprises would be undertaking "strategic realignment according to the international situation and competition."
"I am sure they will concentrate more on the European market, and therefore, more Chinese companies will exhibit at trade shows like IFA and CE China," concluded Gao.
