(L-R) John B Nofsinger, CEO of Material Handling Industry of America shakes Ding Junfa's hand while James Fu, general manager of Hannover Fairs China Ltd looks on.

By Rodger Lamb and Patrick Chin

CeMAT Asia 2006 officially opened on Tuesday with a welcoming speech by China Federation of Logistics & Purchasing executive vice chairman Ding Junfa.

Ding said there was "great potential" in China's logistics market, thanks to the fast growing Chinese economy. China's logistics industry increased 25.2 per cent to CNY48.1 trillion (USD6.075 trillion) in 2005. Growth continued in the first half of 2006, with the industry reaching CNY26.8 trillion (USD3.385 trillion).

The year 2006 was the first in the Chinese government's 11th five-year plan. It was also the first year the logistics industry had opened up completely, he said.

Forkliftaction.com's Rodger Lamb noted many overseas visitors, including senior executives, from the US, Europe and other Asian countries. "From our perspective, and I'm sure foreign exhibitors, CeMAT Asia is an excellent opportunity to exhibit products and services to a global audience," he said.

Patrick Chin shows a Forkliftaction.com stand visitor how to play darts.

"The Forkliftaction.com stand received many visiting executives from overseas. This is the 7th time CeMAT Asia is being staged. It is maturing and the exhibitor stands we saw were of high quality. We have not had the chance to visit many stands because of the activity at our stand. Next week, in Forkliftaction.com News #282, we will have more to report."

In 2000, there were 93 exhibitors at the inaugural CeMAT Asia. In 2001 there were 129, 136 in 2002, 166 in 2003, 207 in 2004, 274 in 2005 and 352 this year.