GILE Guangzhou 2023
Electricity in the air
If there's one country in the news right now, it's China. Whether in diplomatic, geostrategic or political terms, the Middle Kingdom, which some imagined to be weakened by the terrible pandemic, is now back in the news. The country is making a major comeback on the international stage in every field.
More than ever, the Asian giant is eager to regain its position, as demonstrated by a well-known trade show in its sector, which is coming back stronger than ever. Indeed, since it's the one we're talking about, the GILE, acronym of Guangzhou International Lighting Exhibition is back on the international scene with record-breaking statistics.
Finally, after three years of hermetic closure and the merciless confinement of a large part of the population, the country reopened its borders at a speed that surprised everyone. But then, why should we be surprised? The world's leading exporter and the world's factory could not continue to live forever in isolation, at the risk of seeing its economy collapse. In fact, it was about time, as it was beginning to show serious signs of running out of steam. Knowing the pragmatism of the country's leaders, they decided to break down all barriers, allowing the reestablishment of the flow of goods and merchandise. However, the situation has not yet been fully restored. The internal market is still experiencing many difficulties. Domestic consumers, badly affected by the Covid episode, are finding it hard to get back into the spending habit. It will take some time for them to regain confidence, especially as the real estate market continues to be hit by severe turbulence due to the financial difficulties of the largest local groups. This situation is all the more worrying given that housing is a priority for the population, and that the crisis is causing a wait-and-see attitude, accentuated by price inflation in major cities.
A lifeline called export
Types de traductions Traduction de texte Texte source Toutefois, en attendant que l’optimisme revienne sur les marchés intérieurs, nos amis Chinois ont su garder deux fers au feu. 1 684 / 5 000 Résultats de traduction Résultat de traduction However, while waiting for optimism to return to the domestic markets, our Chinese friends have been able to keep two irons in the fire. While President Xi Jing Ping's grand plan to bring prosperity to every citizen through domestic consumption will still have to wait a while, the same is not true for export markets or the Empire of Middle reigns supreme, and proves it. The phenomenon is all the more accentuated, as China is now open to foreigners, who did not delay to go there again. It is a veritable rush in which Western companies have engaged. The heads of state who have interests there have filled their presidential planes with all the elite of the business world, in order to re-establish the contacts and especially the physical contacts which had been so lacking. This shows the attractiveness of China and its industry, which has remained intact, and even more competitive than ever since companies have added to the advantage of still competitive prices, the quality asset, and this is true In all areas. Gone is the image of a China capable only of invading the world with low-quality, low-cost products. The country has become a mecca for advanced technologies capable of competing with the best in the world. All this means that if the Middle Kingdom remains a formidable sourcing platform, it now offers a quality offer in all areas. So this one has two strings to its bow, which makes it both an essential supplier and a potentially formidable competitor for the Western economy.
Le Gile, a two-faced salon
It is therefore this double face that makes China a country that is still just as powerful economically, despite the difficulties of its internal market in regaining its pre-crisis dynamism. The example is perfectly verified in the field that interests us. These are the sectors of lighting in all its forms. From public lighting, through that of interior housing, decoration, design, and sources, the national industry of this vast market is present in all areas. From the small ultra-specialized production unit in sourcing to world-class manufacturers, the sample is more than vast.
In any case, this is what the organizers of the show are proposing. GILE which will be held from June 9 to 12 in the city of Guangzhou (Canton for us French), with an offer that will therefore sweep very wide, as has always been the case. This great mass of lighting will therefore hit very hard, since the number of exhibitors announced is already breaking all records, to such an extent that the two large exhibition buildings are already full, since the living room has a third. It is therefore a safe bet that the same will be true for visitors insofar as foreigners are now welcome. Admittedly, the GILE was held in the past, with a very nice success, but reserved only for nationals. This year, with the great return of buyers and industry professionals from all over the world, the organizers are more than confident about the final results in terms of attendance.
Problems and Solutions
It's no secret that the world of lighting has become a complex universe where strict regulations are intertwined in terms of respect for the environment, energy saving, safety, design with the corollary increasingly sophisticated technology. This is also why the organizers talk about solutions and stage thematic presentations, meetings, conferences and seminars. They follow in this Messe francfort which beyond presiding over the destiny of the show, serves as a reference. Indeed, it is the spirit of Light & Building which reigns on the Cantonese platform where the enhancement of the global offer is part of the same reflection. This is how the 2023 edition will see the implementation of 6 named themes “New era of smart technology,” “Lighting creates better future lifestyles” “Digital space” “Smart green city” “Lighting empowers sport” “Zero carbone future”. Behind all these titles hide nothing less than the challenges of lighting as a whole. All of this and more will be discussed via a discussion group called “Dual circulation”.
So here is an appointment that has lost none of its superb despite the dark years. The market and the stakes are considerable, and it is above all necessary to see there also the know-how of Messe Frankfurt which remains at the forefront in the field of lighting fairs, and it also shows that organizational know-how is never lost whatever the circumstances.
