The world's largest industrial fair opened here on Sunday evening, showcasing latest industrial technologies, materials and product ideas.

The Hanover Fair was jointly declared opened on Sunday evening by German President Horst Koehler and Prime Minister Han Seung-soo of the Republic of Korea (ROK), which is the partner country at this year's show.

From April 20 to 24, the Hanover Fair will host 13 trade shows covering industrial automation, motive power engineering, energy, industrial subcontracting and R&D.

The core theme of this year's event is energy efficiency in industrial processes. Exhibitors are expected to offer not only energy-efficient products and processes, but also ideas to save energy in industrial production.

The Hanover Fair 2009 will also premiere a new international wind-energy trade show in response to the global demand for renewable energy.

The rich array of exhibits will also be complemented by a number of business forums, conferences, seminars and workshops.

Despite the global financial crisis, the Hanover Fair has attracted 6,150 exhibitors from 61 nations, which equals the peak performance of the past two years, organizers said.

After Germany, countries with the largest contingents of exhibitors this year include Italy, the ROK and China.

The ROK will be represented in Hanover by 210 exhibitors taking part in virtually every section of the show, with high-tech displays showing the nation's strengths in industrial automation, energy technology, drive technologies and industrial subcontracting.

China this year sent in about 480 exhibitors, taking a total display area of 5,603 square meters.