The city of Gwangju announced on the 15th that it achieved 371 export consultations worth $57 million at CES 2025, the world’s largest information technology (IT) and consumer electronics exhibition, with the participation of 15 local companies.

Eight companies, including InBiz, E-Soltec, IndiJ, and OnionAI, signed one export contract and 14 business agreements, including investment pacts, thereby establishing a foothold for overseas expansion.

From January 7 to 10, the city participated in CES 2025 in Las Vegas with 15 local companies, simultaneously operating two exhibition spaces: the 'Gwangju Joint Pavilion' and the 'Gwangju Pavilion within the Integrated Korea Pavilion,' showcasing the region's innovative technologies to the global market.

CES 2025, themed around 'Artificial Intelligence (AI),' saw the participation of over 4,500 institutions and companies from more than 160 countries. The event featured intense competition in future industrial technologies, exploring and discovering the impact of AI across various industries.

During the exhibition, the Gwangju Pavilion was visited by 6,270 people. Local companies held 371 export consultations worth $57 million with buyers from various countries.

The city, which is focusing on the intensive development of the AI industry, has been praised for using its accumulated new products and technologies to raise global awareness and for sharing these innovations with global big tech companies, serving as a stepping stone for further growth. Notably, six local companies, including GhostPass, which won the Grand Innovation Award, received innovation awards, recognizing Gwangju's innovative technologies on the global stage. Based on this, it is expected that the companies will continue to achieve success in expanding overseas markets and boosting exports.

Song Jong-woon, CEO of E-Soltec, which won a CES Innovation Award in the human security category for its 'Multipurpose Modular Structure,' said, "We have been preparing for this year's CES for about a year, and I am thrilled to receive the CES Innovation Award and attract significant attention from overseas buyers."

He added, "I felt a great sense of pride in being able to present our products on the stage of the world's largest ICT exhibition," and emphasized, "Even after the exhibition, I will maintain relationships with buyers and continue to achieve good results."

The city and the Gwangju Information & Culture Industry Promotion Agency expect that, after the exhibition, many companies will continue to pursue product supply agreements and business partnerships with overseas buyers. They plan to explore support measures to ensure these efforts lead to further successful outcomes.

Mayor Kang Ki-jeong stated, "This is the third year we've participated in CES, and the number of Gwangju companies taking part has been increasing every year. Based on this, not only are the skills and know-how of Gwangju companies being accumulated, but I also believe Gwangju's economy will continue to grow. The city and businesses will work together to foster local companies that will drive the future growth of the region."

Gwangju = Reporter Kim Han-sik hskim@etnews.com