by Xinhua writers Yang Jian, Ren Haijun
LAS VEGAS, the United States, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- As the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is in its full swing here in Las Vegas, a senior industry insider predicted on Tuesday that the consumer electronics industry will continue its expansion in 2012 as a constant driving force to world economic recovery.
"The consumer electronics industry including its related services is very important growing sector tied to the economy, and of course it will continue to grow," Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of the U.S. Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), told Xinhua in an exclusive interview on the sideline of the ongoing CES in Las Vegas.
The world consumer electronics industry which is now on the recovery would help revive the world economy as its growth could also help other industries to expand, Shapiro said.
For example, he said, smart phones may help drive other applications which would assist others in conducting business. " So a fisherman in China could find out the best price for his fish by using a smart phone."
According to Shapiro, the global sales for the consumer electronics industry was expected to reach 936 billion U.S. dollars in 2011, up from last year's 873 billion dollars.
"We assume the industry had done very well in 2011 compared with almost any other industry," he added.
Chinese market accounted for 15 percent of the industry's global sales in 2011, while North America and West Europe took up 15 percent and 23 percent respectively.
The 2012 CES which kicked off on Tuesday with 1.851 million net square feet of exhibit space is the second largest show in CEA's history. The largest CES was in 2008, with a record-breaking 1.857 million net square feet of exhibit space.
More than 3,100 exhibitors are unveiling some 20,000 new innovative products at the 2012 CES. Among them are smart TV, OLED TV, Ultrabook, smart phone, eye-tracking technology and 3M Touch Systems.
"CES is the global stage for innovation," Shapiro said on Monday in a statement. "Every major technology company across the globe is participating in force at this year's CES."
He predicted that 2012 would be "the best year" for CES as there would be tremendous products reflecting fresh trends. "We have want for green products, we have want for everything like Apple and other infrastructure."
As for the outlook of the world electronics industry, the CEA estimated that the global sale would expand to 965 billion dollars in 2012.
"I think people are willing to spend money on those products as they are very inexpensive, not only in total price but also in the price of per hour over years."
In his view, there would be abundant new innovations in future CES as more technologies are combined to churn out fresh applications. Home health care which could help give diagnosis without doctors, he said, would be "a big trend."
"There will be new products, I promise you, in the next 20 years at Consumer Electronics Show."
The CEA is a U.S. trade association promoting growth in the consumer technology industry. It represents more than 2,000 corporate members in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and integration of consumer electronics products.
The 2012 CES will last till Friday, January 13.
