Category: SMEs

Over 80,000 international buyers at HKTDC’s first three trade fairs in 2025

  • Successfully expanded customer base and injected new momentum into Hong Kong’s economy

– Three fairs attracted over 80,000 buyers from 119 countries and regions
– Buyer numbers from ASEAN countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand grew significantly
– One green toys exhibitor expected new orders generated by this year’s fair to grow by 10-15 percent over last year’s fair
– Tech toy products remained popular among buyers. A US buyer spent some US$450,000 on related products  

The 51st HKTDC Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair, 16th HKTDC Hong Kong Baby Products Fair and 23rd Hong Kong International Stationery & School Supplies Fair concluded successfully today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair and Hong Kong Baby Products Fair were organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), while the Hong Kong International Stationery & School Supplies Fair was jointly organised by the HKTDC and Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd. The four-day physical fairs attracted over 80,000 buyers from 119 countries and regions, marking a promising start for the HKTDC trade shows this year, while promoting the development of Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) and driving Hong Kong’s economic growth.

As the first round of trade fairs this year, some 40,000 buyers visited the Toys & Games Fair, while more than 26,000 buyers attended the Baby Products Fair and over 14,000 buyers came to the Stationery & School Supplies Fair. The fairs adopted the HKTDC’s hybrid EXHIBITION+ model, which includes the physical shows and virtual access through the Click2Match smart business matching platform, connecting exhibitors and buyers until 16 January. 

Sophia Chong, HKTDC Deputy Executive Director, said: “This year’s trio of fairs were very international, bringing together more than 2,500 exhibitors from 34 countries and regions to showcase innovative ideas from all around the globe, and kickstarting HKTDC’s 2025 calendar of events. We have actively promoted the events through more than 50 HKTDC offices around the world, and online and offline channels to attract international buyers and exhibitors to participate in the fairs and stay overnight in Hong Kong, to promote MICE tourism and Hong Kong’s economic development. This year, buyer numbers from ASEAN countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand grew significantly compared to 2024. The fairs also received European buyers from Germany, Italy, Russia and the United Kingdom, as well as those from Israel, Mexico and the US.”

Expanded new customer base and created cross-industry business opportunities
Themed New Play for All, the three exhibitions featured multiple zones, from toys for infants and toddlers to STEM education toys, smart-tech toys & games, green toys to collectible toys designed for adults with a childlike spirit, catering to the needs of all age groups and market demands.

The Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair saw a floorspace expansion at the Electronic and Remote Control Toys and Educational Toys & Games zones. Funded by the Trade and Industrial Organisation Support Fund of the Trade and Industry Department, HKSAR Government, the Toys Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong and FHKI Group 19 (Hong Kong Toys Council) presented the first ESG pavilion, showcasing toys incorporating Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) elements. A Green Leaf Label was displayed at the booths of green exhibitors at the Toys and Stationery fairs for buyers’ easy reference. This year, over 370 exhibitors displayed products with a Green Leaf label, 70% more than last year.

Panley (H.K.) Ltd., an exhibitor selling green toys made from Forest Stewardship Council – certificated paper, adopts soy ink printing and paper packaging in the production line. The company’s senior sales manager, Peter Law said: “Buyers’ feedback has been encouraging. The number of buyers visiting our booth increased by 30-40 percent as compared to last year.  We have found more than 10 potential buyers from Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Spain, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and the US. They are leading importers, distributors and school supplies buyers with strong purchasing intention. Besides, the Click2Match smart business matching platform helped us connect buyers from the Czech Republic, Spain and Thailand in advance, before we meet at the physical fair. We expect new orders generated by this year’s fair to grow by 10-15 percent over last year’s fair. The ESG Pavilion provides an excellent platform for us to promote eco-friendly toys to international buyers and demonstrate our ESG pledge. We see a bright prospect for green toys.”

Tech toy products remained popular among buyers. Odyssey Toys, a toys wholesaler from the US, sells high-tech toys, including drones, remote-controlled vehicles, and educational gadgets to retailers across the country. The company’s owner, Michael Irigoyen, said: “We found some suppliers from Mainland China and plan to spend some US$450,000 on products such as remote-controlled boats, drones, planes, and digital cameras for kids.”

Johnny Mui, Vice President – Merchandise of the Toys”R”Us (Asia) Limited, said: “The Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair and Hong Kong Baby Products Fair are the must-attend international sourcing events for Toys“R”Us Asia each year. Looking ahead, we see tremendous opportunities in the growing kidult and plush segments. We are proud to contribute to and benefit from the momentum driven by Hong Kong’s pivotal role as a global hub for the toy industry.” The fair also attracted buyers from outside the toy industry. Media Prima Berhad, a multi-platform media group from Malaysia, attended the Toys & Games Fair to procure corporate promotional toys. The company’s business lead, Hafiz Nazer, stated that the total value of the orders exceeds US$100,000.

With more than 660 exhibitors, this year’s Hong Kong Baby Products Fair boasted the most exhibitors ever with an increase of 7% more than last year. The popular ODM Strollers and Gear zone continued for the second consecutive year with over 80 exhibitors, made it easier than ever for buyers to source products from original design manufacturers.

Korean exhibitor i-angel Co., Ltd.,has participated in the Hong Kong Baby Products Fair since 2008, and it’s CEO, Jinseop Lee said: “Hong Kong is an international trading hub, and a perfect place for us to look for new distributors and explore new business opportunities. In fact, the fair has helped us connect with our current distributors. We launched our new collection of hipseat baby carriers at the fair this year and have received positive feedback from international buyers. We have been in touch with a potential distributor from Canada and a potential buyer from a large department store chain in Thailand. We expect to generate at least US$1 million in new orders from the fair.”

The Hong Kong International Stationery & School Supplies Fair showcased the latest in creative art supplies, gift stationery, school and office supplies. Türkish exhibitor, Mercanlar Mutfak Esyalari San. Tic. A.S., presented their water bottles and back-to-school sets at the fair. The exhibitor has connected with buyers from Belarus, Germany, Hong Kong, Taiwan, the UK and US. The company’s export manager, Özlem Durmaz said: We are in proactive discussion with serval new customers with potential orders estimated at a total of US$100,000. Two US retailers were also looking to source our products, with each order amounting to more than US$100,000.”

Asian Toys & Games Forum explore social responsibility of toy makers
The flagship event Asian Toys & Games Forum was held during the Toys & Games fair. Themed Beyond Fun and Play: Fostering Social Responsibility in the Toy Industry, international toy and game industry experts discussed the role of toys and games in daily life. Terrence Hui, Executive Committee Member of Hong Kong Toys Council hosted the discussion with a panel of expert speakers and covered the opportunities for the toys industry in the health sector and the ageing market.

For more comments from exhibitors and buyers, please visit the following websites:

HKTDC Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair: https://www.hktdc.com/event/hktoyfair/en/success-stories
HKTDC Hong Kong Baby Products Fair: https://www.hktdc.com/event/hkbabyfair/en/success-stories
Hong Kong International Stationery & School Supplies Fair: 
https://www.hktdc.com/event/hkstationeryfair/en/success-stories

Fair Websites
HKTDC Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair: hktoyfair.hktdc.com
HKTDC Hong Kong Baby Products Fair: hkbabyfair.hktdc.com
Hong Kong International Stationery & School Supplies Fair: hkstationeryfair.com

Photo Download: https://bit.ly/3PvqA3g

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Media enquires
Please contact HKTDC’s Communication & Public Affairs Department: 

Sharon HaTel:2584 4575Email:sharon.mt.ha@hktdc.org
Jane CheungTel:2584 4137Email:jane.mh.cheung@hktdc.org

HKTDC Media Room: http://mediaroom.hktdc.com

About the HKTDC
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong’s trade. With over 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create bumediaroom.hktdc.comsiness opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus.

Stableton Partners with Alta to Expand Access to Global High-Growth Pre-IPO Investments

Stableton, a leader in VC direct secondaries and an award-winning growth equity fintech platform, is proud to announce a strategic partnership with Alta, Asia’s leading digital securities exchange for alternative assets.

This collaboration aims to expand investor access to high-growth, late-stage private companies, meeting the surging demand for liquidity and diversification within private markets. With more than 1,300 unicorns redefining the industry landscape, substantial value has emerged over recent years. This wave of rapid growth, alongside the advent of sophisticated data providers and enhanced liquidity for the most valuable unicorns, has set the stage for Stableton to unveil the world’s first strategy of its kind, now accessible via Alta. This pioneering strategy delivers investors unparalleled, cost-effective access to a systematic investment approach focused on the world’s Top 20 unicorns, spanning industries including artificial intelligence, fintech, and aerospace.

“This growth reflects a significant shift in how investors are approaching private market opportunities, seeking more flexible and transparent solutions,” said Wei He, Head of Investments at Stableton. Alta has demonstrated its capabilities with a track record of over US$53 billion in mandated transactions and more than US$700 million successfully raised for private companies and funds, positioning it as a transformative player in the alternative investment landscape.

Stableton’s experience with over 95 transactions, a network of more than 100 sourcing partners, and robust technology- and data-driven investment processes enable access to the leading private technology stocks via portfolios and single investment opportunities. The combination of Stableton’s unique investment strategy and Alta, which features over 35,000 direct investor accounts and partnerships with more than 100 financial institutions, promises to elevate accessibility in private markets.

“Partnering with Stableton represents a significant milestone in our journey to democratize access to the private markets,” said Benjamin Twoon, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer of Alta. “This collaboration introduces a unique investment product akin to an Exchange Traded Fund, offering investors a diversified portfolio and fractional access to a carefully curated group of industry-leading, late-stage private companies. By combining innovation, efficiency, and a data-driven approach, we are advancing our mission to open doors for more investors to participate in this asset class with the same level of rigor, transparency, and diversification as institutional players.”

Andreas Bezner, CEO and Co-Founder of Stableton, remarked: ”Partnering with Alta represents a significant step forward in our mission to provide superior access to growth equity investments. By leveraging Alta’s strong digital platform and Stableton’s expertise in pre-IPO secondaries, we’re not just widening the doors for investment—we’re setting a new standard for accessibility and liquidity in private markets. This is about providing investors, from institutional to individual, with opportunities that were previously out of reach and delivering impactful and flexible solutions.”

The global unicorn market, valued at $4.7 trillion, continues to show strong investment potential.

Alta is committed to tackling the challenge of private market illiquidity with its accessible, efficient, and secure exchange platform. Alta has seen increasing demand this year from investors eager to participate in high impact ventures like, SpaceX, Stripe, xAI and OpenAI. Over the years, Alta raised a total funding of over US$150 million for SpaceX, and recently closed an additional US$15 million for the spacetech firm.

Alta’s technology-powered initiatives are transforming the financial landscape by empowering a diverse array of investors to engage in alternative investments and the firm believes that broadening access to capital markets is crucial for fostering sustainable growth and generating new opportunities for communities globally. In acknowledgment of those efforts, Alta has recently been named as a 2024 Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum.

Konstantin Heiermann, COO and Co-Founder of Stableton, shared insights on the operational benefits of the partnership: “This collaboration with Alta not only broadens our geographical reach but also brings a new level of efficiency and scale to our distribution. This partnership marks an important evolution in how investors engage with private markets, making access more seamless, transparent, and aligned with modern expectations.”

This partnership aims to foster a more dynamic investment ecosystem where technology and strategic alliances facilitate the flow of capital into high-potential, late-stage private companies.

Together, Stableton and Alta are committed to bridging the gap between traditional investment barriers and forward-thinking solutions, making pre-IPO investments more attainable and impactful for a broader audience of global investors.

About Stableton

Stableton is a VC direct secondaries specialist investment manager and an award-winning growth equity fintech investment platform (Swiss Fintech Awards 2022 winner) that empowers investors and shapers of tomorrow to achieve their full potential. Stableton’s mission is to provide superior access to growth equity and pre-IPO deals and portfolios, focusing on secondaries. Investors benefit from institutional-quality investments, product innovation, bankable products with low minimums, and improved liquidity.

Stableton was founded in 2018 by Andreas Bezner, CFA, and Konstantin Heiermann, with an international team of over 25 employees across Zurich, Zug, Berlin, and Riga. Our success story includes a CHF 15 million Series A funding round in July 2022 and a FINMA license as a portfolio manager, according to Art. 17 (1) of the Financial Institutions Act (FINIA). Stableton delivers institutional-grade quality with assets over USD 270 million and a track record of over 95 transactions.

About Alta

As the leading licensed digital securities exchange for alternative investments in Asia, we are building critical capital market infrastructure backed by some of the most active securities brokerages and bookrunners on the Singapore Exchange – Phillip Securities, PrimePartners and Nomura Holdings (Japan).

Empowering Private Markets: Through our Digital Exchange, we enable the tokenization and digital custody of alternative assets. This end-to-end solution simplifies and expedites the trading of smaller asset blocks, ultimately facilitating access and liquidity in private markets. We believe that access to capital markets are pivotal in all economies, we recognize that our role in building this critical infrastructure goes beyond facilitating trades; it paves the way for entrepreneurship, job creation, financial inclusion, and economic resilience, fostering a brighter future for emerging markets and economies.

Innovative Financial Ecosystem: Our journey has seen us transition from securities trading and distribution of comprehensive products, including equities, private credit, funds, and asset-backed securities representing real world assets like whiskies and wines, to include fund management and digital custody.

Visit us on https://alta.exchange/   

For media inquiries, please contact:

Stableton
Lyn Melwani
Growth Manager
melwani@stableton.com 

Alta
Deeksha Kakkar
Marketing Communications Specialist
deeksha.kakkar@alta.exchange