June 30, 2006

IFAT CHINA strengthens its role as China's hot spot for environmental solutions

• About 10,000 trade visitors from 66 countries
• 284 exhibitors from 25 countries
• Strong Asian exhibitor participation with a share of 44 percent

This year's IFAT CHINA confirmed its significance as a meeting place and business platform for environmental solutions and technologies in Asia. Following a successful premiere in Shanghai in 2004, the 2nd International Trade Fair for Environmental Protection, from June 27th to 30th, 2006, attracted about 10,000 trade visitors from 66 countries. For four days the environmental fair was a showcase of solutions for water supply, sewage treatment, waste disposal, recycling, air pollution control, environmental technology and environmentally compatible forms of energy.

Demand for space was again very strong in 2006. IFAT CHINA was fully booked. 284 exhibitors from 25 countries presented their products and services in the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. That means an increase of thirteen percent compared to the previous trade fair. IFAT CHINA has strengthened its position in Asia as a practice-orientated business platform in terms of communication, cooperation and education to find satisfying solutions for environmental challenges.

IFAT CHINA featured five new joint participations from Great Britain, Japan, Korea, Switzerland and the USA. German and Italian companies were again represented in national pavilions as already at the first edition of the event. Also a large number of countries attended for the first time the fair as exhibitors. These were: Australia, Canada, Denmark, Hong Kong, India, Korea, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Switzerland and Taiwan.

Across Asia IFAT CHINA attracted strong interest. 44 percent of the exhibiting companies came from Asia (China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan). “The considerable growth in international participation and the strong response from China and throughout Asia demonstrate that IFAT CHINA is well on its way to establishing itself in East Asia as the leading trade-fair for environmental solutions,” said Eugen Egetenmeir, Deputy Managing Director of Munich Trade Fairs International Group, which organized this trade-fair jointly with the China Association of Resources Comprehensive Utilization (CARCU).

The trade-fair gained strong support from governmental authorities. Astrid Klug, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, stated in her opening address: “China´s dynamism is a challenge for Europe and offers a growth market for environmental technologies. Germany is a pioneer in environmental technologies. Transfer of knowledge is in our mutual interest.”

Chinese representatives underlined the importance of IFAT CHINA as an arena for environmental solutions. He Bingguang, Deputy Director of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) added: “Substantial development is the common task and target for the world economic. This trade-fair showcases a wide range of state-of-the-art products, solutions and services; The technical-scientific conference program is a comprehensive platform and good opportunity for international communication, dialogue, and cooperation.”

The Bavarian State Minister of Environment, Public Health and Consumer Protection, Dr. Werner Schnappauf, referred to the tight relations between Bavaria and the Chinese provinces of Guangdong and Shandong: “A twenty year-old partnership already exists with Shandong. We only recently launched a joint capacity-building project for the water and waste water sector. Bavaria is linked with Guangdong by a partnership that we sealed here at IFAT CHINA with an environmental cooperation agreement.”

“IFAT CHINA 2006 creates a unique platform for environmental protection enterprises worldwide. It’s a good opportunity for the community to exchange ideas and generate new contacts. The new technology and products in IFAT CHINA 2006 will accelerate the development of environmental protection industry in China”, said Xu Shufan, Deputy Director General of Department of Science Technology, State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA).

The technical and scientific conference programme at IFAT CHINA, featuring over 100 lectures on current themes in the sector, was also a great success. Chinese and international experts discussed innovations, developments and trends in the environmental industry.

For further information: www.ifat-china.com

About IFAT CHINA
IFAT CHINA is the international exhibition in the Asian market for practice-oriented solutions in the key sectors for environmental protection including water supply, sewage, waste disposal, recycling, air pollution control, environmental technology and environmentally compatible energy sources. The trade fair is completed by a supporting program of conferences, B2B matchmaking and dialogue sessions. IFAT CHINA 2006 attracted 284 exhibitors from 25 countries und about 10,000 visitors from 66 countries.


Organizers
• Messe München GmbH
• Shanghai New International Expo Centre Co., Ltd. (SNIEC)

Organizing Partner
• Munich Trade Fairs (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.

Co-Organizer
• China Association of Resources Comprehensive Utilization (CARCU)
Cooperating Organizer
• China Council for the Promotion of International Trade – Machinery Sub-Council (CCPIT-MSC)

Supporters
• National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), PR China
• Ministry of Science and Technology, PR China
• Ministry of Land and Resources, PR China
• Ministry of Agriculture, PR China
• Ministry of Water Resources, PR China
• State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA), PR China
• Professional Association Contact Office of State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, PR China
• China Water Supply Association (CWSA), PR China
• Shanghai Association of Resources Comprehensive Utilization, P.R. China
• JiangSu Province Association of Environmental Protection Industry, PR China
• Zhejiang Province Association of Environmental Protection Industry, PR China
• Guangdong Province Association of Environmental Protection Industry, PR China
• Shandong Province Association of Environmental Protection Industry, PR China
• Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, Germany
• Bavarian State Ministry of the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Protection, Germany

International Partners
• Rimini Fiera S.p.A.
• DVGW - German Technical and Scientific Association for Gas and Water
• DWA - German Association for Water, Waste Water and Waste
• EWA - European Water Association
• ISWA - International Solid Waste Association
• VKS - Association of Municipal Waste Management and City Cleaning
• Water Chemical Society - Division of the German Chemical Society, Germany

About Messe München International (MMI)
With around 40 trade fairs covering investment goods, consumer goods and new technologies, Messe München International (MMI) is one of the world’s leading trade fair companies. Over 30,000 exhibitors from more than 100 countries and over two million visitors are involved each year at the events in Munich. In addition, MMI organizes trade fairs in Asia, Russia, the Middle East and South America. With four subsidiaries abroad and 62 foreign representatives, which service and support 86 countries, MMI has a worldwide network.

You can find further information at www.ifat-china.com

Press contact:
Petra Gagel, Press Officer IFAT CHINA
Marketing & Communication, Investment Goods
Telephone: +49 89 / 9 49-20244, Fax: +49 89 / 9 49-20249
E-mail: petra.gagel@messe-muenchen.de

13/e/MarComGB1/pet