The Company’s Funding Will Accelerate Developing of the World’s First Distributed Quantum Computers Using NanoQT’s Proprietary Nanofiber-Cavity
Nanofiber Quantum Technologies, Inc. (NanoQT), a quantum computing company pioneering ultra-low-loss nanofiber cavity-QED interconnects for quantum processors, today announced the first closing of its $14 million Series A financing. Phoenix Venture Partners (PVP), an existing investor, led the round with participation from Brevan Howard Macro Venture Fund, a new investor. WASEDA University Ventures, Inc. (WUV), JAFCO Group Co Ltd, Mirai Creation Fund III (SPARX Asset Management Co., Ltd.), and Keio Innovation Initiative, Inc. (KII), each existing investors, also participated.
NanoQT’s Proprietary Nanofiber-Cavity
The financing follows more than US$20 million in government R&D grants across Japan and the United States that support NanoQT’s roadmap. “An interconnect engineered for QPUs is the missing link in today’s market and will soon be a major bottleneck to achieving scalable fault-tolerant quantum computing,” said Masashi Hirose, Ph.D., CEO and Co-Founder of NanoQT. “Our proprietary nanofiber-cavity interconnect is highly demanded not only for scaling up quantum computing but also for integrating QPUs with quantum communication capabilities.”
“We are delighted to continue supporting NanoQT’s breakthrough,” said Nobi Kambe, Ph.D., Managing General Partner at Phoenix Venture Partners (PVP). “NanoQT has demonstrated steady R&D progress, and we believe the company will deliver a disruptive impact in the quantum computing and networking field.” “NanoQT is the best positioned in the quantum field to disrupt interconnects.”
Why It Matters The quantum interconnect is an emerging, critical device class-essential not only for modularizing quantum processors but also for extending them into networked and communication-enabled systems. NanoQT’s approach is an ultra-low-loss nanofiber cavity that functions as an end-to-end fiber-optic interconnect, enabling extremely efficient conversion of qubit signals into photonic signals-a capability fundamentally grounded in cavity quantum electrodynamics (QED).
NanoQT’s initial product is highly engineered for neutral-atom QPUs, which today represent one of the most scalable quantum computing architectures. Yet these systems will face per-unit scalability limits within a few years. NanoQT’s interconnect provides a path beyond those limits, while also positioning the company to address the emerging quantum repeater market, which is essential for building long-distance quantum networks.
Use of Proceeds and Next Milestones
Demonstration of a distributed quantum computing system using NanoQT’s interconnect and standard fiber links
Productization of the nanofiber cavity-QED interconnect for neutral-atom QPUs
Expansion of engineering and manufacturing capacity in College Park, Maryland, and Tokyo
About NanoQT NanoQT is a quantum-hardware company building ultra-low-loss nanofiber cavity-QED interconnects that physically integrate with quantum processors to enable modular and networked quantum computing as well as compatibility with quantum communication. Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, with operations in College Park, Maryland and Tokyo, Japan, NanoQT combines Japan-born engineering excellence with a global commercialization strategy.
– Driving IP financing and unlocking opportunities for start-ups
Co-organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), the 15thBusiness of IP Asia Forum (BIP Asia Forum), together with the 17thHKTDC Entrepreneur Day (E-Day), will be held from 4 to 5 December at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). The two flagship annual events will bring together innovators, investors, professionals, and policymakers from around the world. Through a series of activities, the two events will foster cross-sector collaboration, and help strengthen Hong Kong’s role as a regional intellectual property (IP) trading centre, and an international innovation and technology hub.
Patrick Lau, HKTDC Deputy Executive Director said, “Hong Kong is the ideal platform for IP trading, backed by its sound legal system, deep capital markets, and robust IP protection regime. With the BIP Asia Forum, the HKTDC continues to drive IP commercialisation, facilitate cross-disciplinary collaboration, and reinforce Hong Kong as a regional IP trading centre. Held concurrently, E-Day continues to adopt the theme ‘Where Start-up Dreams Take Flight’ which focuses on start-up growth and innovation and provides a networking and matching platform for entrepreneurs and investors. Together, the two events create strong synergy – from supporting start-ups to facilitating the commercialisation of IP – help translating innovation into real-world applications, thus further advance Hong Kong’s innovation and technology, and IP development.”
BIP Asia Forum spotlights IP financing In recent years, IP has become a strategic asset leveraged by businesses to scale up and expand. Under the theme “Leverage IP to Finance Business Growth”, this year’s BIP Asia Forum brings together more than 100 speakers to explore IP’s potential for corporate development and financing.
Sophia Chong, HKTDC Executive Director and David Wong, Director of Intellectual Property, Intellectual Property Department of the HKSAR Government will officiate at the opening ceremony of the two-day forum. A keynote session on “IP Valuation and Financing” will examine how IP can be converted into a viable source of capital. Speakers include Ying-ying Cheng, Head (Banking Supervision), Banking Supervision Department of Hong Kong Monetary Authority; Winnie Tung, Chairperson, Commercial Banking Committee of the Hong Kong Association of Banks; Lewis C Lee, Founder and CEO of Moat Metrics, Inc.; Terence Koh, Managing Director and Head of Telecommunications, Media and Technology at United Overseas Bank Limited; and Sung-tae Ha, Director of IP, Valuation and Management Center of Korea Invention Promotion Association. They will share insights from multiple perspectives, including market developments, policy support, valuation practices, cross-sector collaboration, as well as strategies to integrate IP financing into the broader financial ecosystem, unlocking the growth potential of innovation-driven enterprises.
The theme of IP-driven investment shapes the first session of this year’s Global Tech Summit, titled “Unlocking Value: Intellectual Property and Investment Opportunities in AI Innovations” – investors will share key AI investment trends and explore the future landscape of IP within AI Innovation. Speakers include Lucas Shia, Associate Director (Investment) at Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited; Teddy Lui, Chief Commercial Officer of the Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund; Warren Li, Head of VC and Startups, North Asia at Google Cloud; and representatives from Aberdeen Investments, Eastspring Investments, Invesco, and Fidelity International.
In the special address on the afternoon of 4 December, the Chief Executive of the HKSAR, John Lee, and Li Shengjun, Deputy Head of the Patent Office of the China National Intellectual Property Administration will deliver keynote remarks.
Diverse thematic sessions push forward creativity and innovation The plenary session, titled “Propelling Sustainability with IP”, will focus on IP’s strategic role in accelerating sustainability and elevating industry standards. Speakers include Dr Lorenz Kaiser, Senior Legal Counsel at GE Aerospace; Krishna Singhania, Senior IP Counsel at Maersk; and Dr Pratheeba Vimalnath, Lecturer in Innovation, Intellectual Property and Sustainability, University of Exeter Business School, UK. The breakout session “Opportunities and Risks of Data Licensing” will touch on data copyrights, privacy compliance, cross-border data flows, and regulatory environment. Speakers include Professor Daryl Lim, H. Laddie Montague Jr. Chair in Law and Associate Dean for Research and Innovation at Penn State Dickinson Law, and Shun Cheng, Director of AI & Cloud Technology Intellectual Property Rights Department at HUAWEI Technologies.
The “IP Economy” is another highlight, featuring Mark Kingston, CEO and Co-founder of Libertas Brands (holding exclusive global rights of “Fuggler”), and Perry Chung, Executive Director, Strategic Development and Commercial Operations of Ocean Park. They will share how to leverage online-to-offline IP closed loop to boost revenue, expand customer reach through IP collaboration, and integrate cultural elements to enhance IP sustainability.
Another breakout session “IP-driven Transformation of Hong Kong Brands” will examine how local brands leverage IP to transform their business models, enhance brand identity, market penetration, and diversify into new business streams. Speakers include Raymond Leung, CEO of Camel Vacuum Flasks; Steve Ng, Founder of TINY; and Crystal Wong, Deputy Head of Commercial and Brand of Hong Kong Tramways.
The ASEAN Session, co-organised by the ASEAN Secretariat and the Intellectual Property Department of the HKSAR Government, will focus on patent commercialisation, discuss how to accelerate the translation of research outcomes, promote innovation collaboration and advance technology transfer between ASEAN economies and Hong Kong.
E-Day ignites innovation momentum As the HKTDC’s flagship start-up event, E-Day continues under the theme “Where Start-up Dreams Take Flight”, with a strong commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and providing tailored support and development opportunities for start-ups. E-Day combines an exhibition with business matching and a series of seminars, and serves as a dynamic platform that brings together innovators, investors and ecosystem partners, helping start-ups expand networks, exchange knowledge, explore collaboration opportunities and accelerate business growth globally.
E-Day will spotlight six technology verticals – Artificial Intelligence, Health Tech, Cyber Security, Construction and Logistics, Spatial Computing and Sustainability. The event will feature more than 350 start-ups, innovation projects and start-up support organisations. The Digital Policy Office will set up the “Innovation Hong Kong Pavilion”, showcasing 30 award-winning projects from the Hong Kong ICT Awards (HKICTA). The pavilion hosted by the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau will feature over 40 start-ups supported by the HYAB Funding Scheme for Youth Entrepreneurship in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, as well as members of the Alliance of Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurial Bases in the Greater Bay Area. In addition, the Hong Kong Exporters’ Association will once again co-organise the annual Asia Exhibition of Innovations and Inventions with Geneva Palexpo, featuring more than 130 innovative projects from across Asia. Nine universities in Hong Kong will also exhibit their latest research outcomes and start-up ventures, fostering collaboration between academic and industry.
E-Day’s seminar programme will cover four main tracks: Inspirational Masterclass, Start-up 101, Uncovering Hidden Gems and Global Tech Summit, with discussions spanning hot topics such as artificial intelligence, green energy, deeptech, sustainable fashion and youth entrepreneurship. A highlight on the first day, “T-Chat: From Labs to Battlefield: Navigating Deep Tech Commercialisation and Global Scale”, will present Yeye Xiao, Innovation Consultant Manager & Central Asia Lead at Hello Tomorrow, the world’s largest deeptech start-up community based in France; Dr Paul Wang, Director of the Techno-Entrepreneurship Core at The University of Hong Kong; Edith Yeung, General Partner at Race Capital; and Kenny Oktavius, Co-founder and CEO of Point-Fit Technology. The speakers will discuss how scientific research can be effectively translated from the laboratory to the marketplace, driving commercialisation and accelerating global expansion.
To fully leverage Hong Kong’s unique role as a bridge between the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and overseas markets, a roundtable titled “Empowering GBA Startups to Expand into ASEAN with Hong Kong as a Super-connector and Super Value-adder” will focus on opportunities for GBA start-ups to expand into ASEAN and international markets. The speakers, including Intan Zalani, the Consul (Trade) of Malaysia in Hong Kong; Peter Mok, General Managers of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneur Hub; and Stephen Chan, Partner of Charles Russell Speechlys LLP, will analyse how the city’s financial strength, legal expertise and strategic support can facilitate cross-border collaboration in innovation and technology.
The HKSAR Government and industry organisations are joining forces to support youth and SME development. A dedicated session, “Launch of HKICTA Winner Circle cum Winners Sharing Session”, hosted by the Digital Policy Office will focus on innovation leadership. Outstanding winners of the Hong Kong ICT Awards will discuss how technology can promote the development of smart city. A fireside chat titled “Crafting the Next-Gen Wardrobe: Innovation for a Sustainable Future”, will explore how new technologies are reshaping sustainable fashion, driving the integration of aesthetics and environmental responsibility and transforming the future of the fashion industry.
“Start-up Express International” will return this year and continue to attract promising overseas start-ups to establish a presence in Hong Kong and use the city as a springboard to access regional markets. The programme is supported by partners from Australia, Chinese Mainland, Italy, Singapore, Thailand, the United Kingdom and other economies, and 10 outstanding start-ups were selected earlier this year. The winning start-ups will join a sharing and networking session on 4 December, the first day of E-Day, to present their entrepreneurial journeys.
DesignInspire will be held concurrently with BIP Asia Forum and E-Day from 3 to 6 December at the HKCEC. The event will bring together numerous local and international design superstars and provide an exciting design experience for the industry and the public. The three events aim to create synergy and generate more business opportunities for the industry.
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 the Chinese Mainland, 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 business 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.
– Event brings together over 2,300 global leaders, driving multi-party collaboration in the pursuit of industry growth
– The 15th Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation Conference (ALMAC) came to a successful conclusion today. The two-day event featured insights from over 80 industry leaders in the shipping, aviation, logistics and supply chain sectors, attracting over 2,300 participants from over 40 countries and regions, with an encouraging response – The conference facilitated meaningful collaboration, arranging close to 400 business matching meetings and successfully signing 11 MoUs across the aviation, logistics, shipping and technology sectors – The Hong Kong’s NextGen Logistician Award Presentation Ceremony 2025 was held on the second day of the conference, recognising young talents in the logistics industry who have made significant achievements and shown remarkable potential in innovative, high-end, smart and sustainable logistics
The 15th Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation Conference (ALMAC), organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), ran successfully over two days at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai. The event brought together over 80 industry leaders from the shipping, aviation, logistics and supply chain sectors to share valuable insights across more than 20 thematic sessions and workshops. The conference received an encouraging response, attracting over 2,300 participants from over 40 countries and regions.
This year’s ALMAC not only provided a platform for Hong Kong to explore the prospects and opportunities in these industries but also fostered meaningful collaboration among industry stakeholders. Close to 400 business matching meetings were arranged over the two days, and 11 Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) were successfully signed across the aviation, logistics, shipping and technology sectors. Notably, the HKTDC and Greater Bay Airlines Company Limited signed an MoU to deepen collaboration through diverse channels, working together to further Hong Kong’s position as a preferred world-class city destination for global trade and tourism.
Exploring industry trends and unlocking new opportunities This year’s conference, themed “Collaboration and Growth in the New Trade Landscape”, brought together global industry leaders to discuss trends and opportunities in logistics, maritime and aviation. Key focus areas included supply chain diversification and opportunities in emerging markets, sustainability and green energy and innovation and technology.
In recent years, global enterprises have faced diverse challenges such as geopolitical tensions, shifting global tariffs and ongoing supply chain disruptions. During the session “Steering Business Growth in a New Era of Global Trade”,Brian Bourke, Global Chief Commercial Officer SEKO Logistics, shared: “Watch out for the new technologies. The future is already here. Partnerships are critical, if not more so today than ever before. In order to help any organisation navigate through disruption, the focus must be on a resilient supply chain and diversification. But I do have to say that it’s the partnerships you forge that are going to help when the unknowns happen.”
In the same session, Henri Le Gouis, Executive Vice President, Global Freight Forwarding of GEODIS, remarked: “When you talk about disruptions, you talk about escalation. We need to be escalating to the right people in the different organisations we work with to find the right solutions. And rapidly, we need people who are able to decide, make the right decisions, and find the right solutions even if the events are unexpected. It’s important to select the partner you work with that will find solutions when times are getting difficult.”
As the world advances toward net-zero emissions, green transformation has become critical to achieving sustainable development in logistics and associated industries. On the second day of ALMAC, the “Green Energy Forum: Fuels, Freight, and the Road to Net Zero” featured suppliers and logistics companies, sharing how innovative technologies can help in the implementation of sustainable strategies, align with global policies, reduce carbon footprints and accelerate progress toward net-zero goals. James Laybourn, Regional Segment Director, APAC of DNV Energy Systems, shared: “We talk about many options in terms of fuel, including additional fuel, diesel, and fuel for ships. We need to see where the priorities are and how exactly to tackle this energy transition.”
The Hong Kong SAR Government is actively promoting the development of the low-altitude economy. Leveraging ALMAC as a platform, a dedicated session titled “The Engine of Low-altitude Economy: How Cargo Drones Are Revolutionising the Future of Air Logistics” was hosted on the opening day. Among the speakers, Bobby Healy, CEO and Founder of Manna Drone Delivery, stated: “The challenge has always been to find a friendly drone-regulated country. The next challenge is going to be accessing the actual airspace because, in Europe, we have standards and regulations for the low average. Individual countries have not implemented them yet.”
Kenny Lau, Chief Technology Officer of S.F. Express (Hong Kong) Limited, shared: “First, we should create an efficient and high-value investment space to maximise the benefits in the world, and we also have to integrate with the logistics network. Second, we should share resources. The sky is very busy in the GBA area, especially in Hong Kong. Thirdly, we should build a standard framework. Hong Kong is a very good platform for competition.”
Another key session at the conference was “Digital Workshop – Implementing AI in your Supply Chain”, delivered by Steve Ng, Head of Supply Service – Hong Kong, Taiwan of Reckitt, showcasing multiple use cases and supply chain automation planning processes. The “Youth Empowerment Workshop” discussed trends in logistics and supply chain management along with career prospects and continuous value enhancement strategies that can attract new talent to the industry.
The ALMAC exhibition this year showcased over 90 exhibitors with dedicated zones for aviation, the low-altitude economy, supply chain management and logistics services, maritime and port services and logtech. Appearing for the first time, the Low-altitude Economy zone highlighted globally leading low-altitude logistics technology solutions, further promoting strategic partnerships and business development in this fast-rising sector.
As advocated in the Action Plan for Modern Logistics Development by the Transport and Logistics Bureau, the Hong Kong’s NextGen Logistician AwardPresentation Ceremony2025 was held on ALMAC’s second day. These prestigious awards honour the exceptional achievements of young talents in innovative, high-end, smart and sustainable logistics. Under Secretary for Transport of the HKSAR Government Liu Chun-san served as the presenter at the awards ceremony. Sky Sin of Hongkong International Terminals, Jeffrey Leung of Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited and Esmond Cheung of Aerovision Technology Limited received the Young Professional Award, and Adrian Chan of Hong Kong YunExpress Logistics Limited and Karen Lai of Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong Limited received the Young Executive Award.
About 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 business 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.
– Focusing on supply chain diversification, emerging market opportunities, low-altitude economy and sustainability
– The 15th Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation Conference (ALMAC) opened today under the theme “Collaboration and Growth in the New Trade Landscape” – The event brings together over 80 heavyweight speakers to explore industry trends and opportunities, driving high-quality development in logistics and supply chain management – New thematic sessions spotlight the Middle East and Central Asia markets, with speakers sharing the latest developments and future opportunities, analysing key strategies and investment directions – John Lee, Chief Executive of the HKSAR, and Almaz Turgunbaev, Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications of the Kyrgyz Republic, attended the Special Address session on the first day of the conference. Their participation aims to deepen international exchange and cooperation, helping to further enhance Hong Kong’s position as an international shipping and aviation hub and its roles as a “superconnector” and “super value-adder”.
The 15th Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation Conference (ALMAC), organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), opened today (17 November) and runs for two days at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Under the theme “Collaboration and Growth in the New Trade Landscape”, the conference aligns with recommendations in the 15th Five-Year Plan to enhance Hong Kong’s status as an international shipping centre, and policies laid out in the Policy Address to strengthen the development of the shipping, aviation and logistics sectors in the city. As the industry’s annual flagship event, the two-day conference gathers over 80 distinguished speakers, including government officials and industry leaders, to discuss trends and opportunities and promote high-quality development in logistics and supply chain management.
John Lee, Chief Executive of the HKSAR, attended the first day of the conference to deliver a Special Address. In addition, this year’s ALMAC invited Central Asian official Almaz Turgunbaev, Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications of the Kyrgyz Republic, to also deliver a Special Address.
John Lee said: “The conference theme this year, ‘Collaboration and Growth in the New Trade Landscape’, is a timely response to rising geopolitical tensions and the volatile global trade policies, which present considerable challenges for our maritime, aviation and logistics industries, from route planning and shipping fleet deployment to inventory and warehouse management. Nevertheless, as the Chinese saying goes, ‘where there are challenges, there are opportunities’. Geopolitical risks can be overcome by market diversification. Increased costs related to supply chain concerns can be offset, at least partially, by technology-enabled efficiencies.”
Mr Lee also shared: “I am particularly pleased to announce that Hong Kong has established Partner Port relationships with Guangxi port and Dalian port in the Chinese Mainland, and Port San Antonio in Chile. These ports are of strategic importance, and true to our character and policy priorities. As an international maritime centre, we connect the Chinese Mainland with the world and seek partners who support an open, international trade order.”
In her welcome remarks, Sophia Chong, Executive Director of the HKTDC, said: “Now is the perfect time to embrace new possibilities, as trade networks and supply chains around the world undergo a sweeping transformation. The ever-changing trade polices of major economies continue to keep business agile. At the same time, the world is being rapidly reshaped by technological advances – particularly the digitalisation of trade – and a growing industry-wide commitment to sustainability. Hong Kong, as a major hub for aviation, shipping, logistics and supply chain management, is at the forefront of these changes. The HKTDC remains committed to leveraging the city’s unique strengths to help businesses establish resilient and sustainable supply chains, while reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as a superconnector and super value-adder.”
Strengthening Hong Kong’s logistics hub role and promoting regional cooperation Recommendations in the 15th Five-Year Plan to support the consolidation and enhancement of Hong Kong’s status as an international shipping centre carry profound strategic significance. The HKTDC will continue to deepen Hong Kong’s role as an international exchange platform, facilitating connections and substantive cooperation between local and overseas industries, assisting enterprises in “going global”, helping to expand their businesses in global markets, and enhancing their competitiveness. A key focus is promoting trade linkages and actively encouraging enterprises to leverage the HKTDC’s trade platforms and events to achieve greater cooperation across industries. This year’s ALMAC continues to feature business–matching sessions, connecting shippers with service providers to foster regional partnerships and drive industry growth.
ALMAC this year features exhibition zones dedicated to aviation, the low-altitude economy, technology, supply chain management and logistics services as well as maritime and port services. Over 90 exhibitors are showcasing the latest leading logistics and supply chain solutions. Notably, the Low-altitude Economy zone makes its debut at ALMAC, with enterprises from the Regulatory Sandbox pilot projects – including SF Express (Hong Kong) and Esri China (Hong Kong) Limited –demonstrating cutting-edge technologies and applications in drones, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and urban air mobility (UAM), promoting awareness of the latest innovations and applications in this fast-rising sector.
Three key trends in focus; unlocking opportunities in the Middle East and Central Asia This year’s ALMAC focuses on three key trends: supply chain diversification, sustainability and green energy and innovation and technology, highlighting Hong Kong’s critical role in global connectivity.
On the first day, the key session “Insights into a New Era of Global Trade: Driving Business Growth” will feature international industry leaders from SEKO Logistics, GEODIS, and Mattel who will explore the challenges and opportunities arising from changes in trade policies and economic fragmentation. Newly launched thematic sessions will focus on the potential of the Middle Eastern and Central Asian markets. In the Middle East Session, representatives from Etihad Airways, DP World Logistics and the Qatar Free Zones Authority will share insights on logistics innovation and investment strategies. The Central Asia Session will engage representatives from QazTrade Center for Trade Policy Development, JSC, under the Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Shyngar Trans Logistics Company, the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development and PTC. The discussion will address regional supply chain development and the advantages of multimodal transport.
Low-altitude economy and smart ports: reshaping the air and maritime transport landscape In the first-day session “The Engine of Low-altitude Economy: How Cargo Drones Are Revolutionising the Future of Air Logistics”, Manal Habib, CEO and Founder, MightyFly; Bobby Healy, CEO and Founder, Manna; Kenny Lau, Chief Technology Officer, SF Express (Hong Kong) Limited; Ryan Walsh, Founder and CEO, Valqari; and Andrea Wu, CEO, Urban-Air Port Ltd, shared the latest breakthroughs in drone freight design, automation and AI-driven logistics systems. Meanwhile, the Low-altitude Economy zone at the conference is showcasing drones and related applications, allowing participants to experience first hand the future of air transport and explore the potential of low-altitude economy innovations in the logistics sector.
In addition, the Port Community System X LSCM Maritime Summit 2025 will focus on the future development of smart ports and smart trade. The summit will explore how applying the Port Community System (PCS) can significantly enhance operational efficiency and supply chain visibility through cutting-edge technologies such as AI, blockchain and the Internet of Things. It will also showcase Hong Kong’s unique advantages as an international shipping centre and a hub for smart trade.
Conference and workshops support enterprises’ green transformation A first-day workshop, “Sustainable Finance: Navigating a Sustainable Future across Logistics, Shipping, and Aviation Industries”, focused on how ESG (environmental, social and governance) is reshaping operational models and development directions in the logistics, maritime and aviation sectors. Patrick Lau, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC, gave the Opening Address at the workshop, followed by industry experts including KT Ting, Chief Operating Officer, Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency; Calvin Chung, Director, Chimbusco Pan Nation; Wai Yeung Tam, Senior Finance Manager, SF REIT Asset Management Limited; and Eric Liu, Chief Executive, Cathay United Bank Hong Kong Branch. They discussed challenges and opportunities in the industry’s green transformation and addressed the important role of sustainable finance to support enterprises in the transition.
As the world strives towards net-zero emissions, Hong Kong is committed to developing as a green maritime centre. The recent Policy Address proposes establishing Hong Kong as a green marine fuel bunkering centre, focusing on green methanol, green ammonia and hydrogen. A session titled “Green Energy Forum: Fuels, Freight, and the Road to Net Zero” will be held tomorrow (18 November) to share pathways, challenges and opportunities for a more sustainable and low-carbon future. Speakers include Essam Al Sheibany, Vice President Sustainability, Asyad Group; Tryggvi ThorHerbertsson, Head of Hydrogen Strategy and Partnership, Qair Group; James Laybourn, Regional Segment Director, APAC, DNV Energy Systems; and Wu Yi, Deputy General Manager, Kunlun Energy Co., Ltd.
ALMAC offers a rich and diverse programme for participants, with tomorrow’s highlighted sessions, including the Hong Kong Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, the Supply Chain Management and Logistics Panel, “Logtech Forum: Stay Ahead in the Next Wave of Supply Chain Innovation”, and the Youth Empowerment Workshop. Representatives from companies such as HP, Reckitt, DHL Express, LALAMOVE and Procter & Gamble will share valuable insights and practical skills, helping participants stay ahead of the latest industry developments.
About 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 the Chinese Mainland, 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 business 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.
– Survey reveals strong interest in Hong Kong partnerships and untapped trade potential
Hong Kong is seen as a priority market and an essential trading partner by many of Italy’s increasingly Asia-focused businesses. This is among the key findings of a new report – Italian Companies’ Asian Expansion Priorities: Innovation, Healthcare and Retail Sectors – jointly conducted by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and the Milan-headquartered Italy China Council Foundation (ICCF).
The research forms part of the forthcoming edition of the HKTDC’s signature promotion campaign Think Business, Think Hong Kong (TBTHK), set to take place in Milan, Italy on 27 November. The event will bring together over 700 business leaders, officials and investors from both Hong Kong and Italy to discover business and partnership opportunities in Asia.
Primarily targeted at Italian companies with business in Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and Asia, the research survey was conducted in Q3 2025, covering 172 Italian C-suite and senior business leaders.
Commenting on the significance of the report, Irina Fan, Director of HKTDC Research, said: “According to the survey findings, 77% of Italian businesses are genuinely enthusiastic when it comes to expanding in Asia, with the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong being their priority markets.”
“It is particularly gratifying to see Hong Kong poised to play such a vital role in facilitating the Asia expansion of such businesses. When asked about how Hong Kong can facilitate Italian business expansion in Asia over the next three years, some 93% of respondents believe Hong Kong can effectively support their future Asia expansion plans. Its unrivalled status as a strategic gateway to many Asian markets, as well as its capabilities as a logistics and supply chain management hub, were also widely acknowledged,” she added.
Facilitating expansion and leveraging trade agreements
When it came to future opportunities, the survey also highlighted the relatively limited awareness and low utilisation of many regional trade agreements. In particular, two agreements emerged as having significant potential to transform the commercial relationship between Hong Kong and Italy.
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is the world’s largest free trade agreement, encompassing the ASEAN bloc, the Chinese Mainland, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. While 51% of respondents are currently capitalising on its benefits, huge untapped potential remains. Should Hong Kong’s application to join the RCEP be successful, 60% of Italian enterprises anticipate that it would unlock new economic opportunities and strengthen their engagement with the city.
Another pivotal agreement is the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA), which has provided Hong Kong-based suppliers of goods and services with privileged access to the vast Chinese Mainland market since 2003. Despite CEPA having been in place for many years, some 80% of the Italian businesses surveyed were unaware of the agreement or how to leverage its benefits. This reveals a major opportunity, as only 12% are currently making use of CEPA’s advantages through strategic partnerships in Hong Kong.
Putting the survey and its findings into perspective, Sara Berloto, Head of Research for the ICCF, said: “The survey highlighted many Italian companies can better leverage several existing regional trade agreements. This was most notably the case with the RCEP and CEPA. Overall, there is a real need for comprehensive information, training, and institutional support initiatives in order to ensure companies — especially SMEs — can heighten their strategic utilisation of such agreements.”
Apparent opportunities amid already strong ties Looking at the broader picture, the scale of opportunity available to Hong Kong SMEs is striking. Most notably, 77% of Italian companies plan to expand within Asia over the next three years, with the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea and India cited as their preferred markets.
By sector, 95% of Italian innovation and technology companies plan to expand in Asia, followed by 88% of healthcare companies and 86% of enterprises in the retail /wholesale sector. These findings align well with Hong Kong’s new industry focus on innovation and technology, the life sciences and healthtech, as well as the raft of ambitious e-commerce initiatives the city has committed to.
Such developments would further enhance the strong business relationship between Italy and Hong Kong. In 2024, trade between the two amounted to US$8.3 billion (HK$64.5 billion), positioning Italy as Hong Kong’s fourth-largest EU trading partner and export market and its third-largest EU import market.
As of the end of 2023, Hong Kong was the third most significant destination for Italian investment in Asia. Hong Kong investors also made substantial investments in Italy, with the city being the third-largest Asian investor in the country. As of 2024, there were some 200 Italian companies active in Hong Kong.
Think Business, Think Hong Kong The full survey report will be launched at TBTHK in Milan on 27 November.
After successful Paris and Jakarta editions, TBTHK Milan will bring together some 80 delegates from Hong Kong, including government officials, top business and creative industry leaders, corporate service professionals, investors and start-up entrepreneurs, for a day of dialogue, networking and partnership-building with Italian companies keen to expand into Asia.
The mega promotion will feature a symposium and an exhibition comprising the Business Support Zone and InnoVenture Salon, where some 20 Hong Kong service providers and start-ups will showcase their flagship products and solutions. Business matching meetings will be arranged to facilitate deals and collaborations between Italian and Hong Kong companies. The programme also includes the Hong Kong Dinner. At the symposium, Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong SAR, Prof Frederick Ma, HKTDC Chairman, along with representatives from the Italian government, will deliver remarks. High-profile speakers from various industries will share their insights at the Plenary Session. The agenda also includes five thematic sessions, each dedicated to a strategic area including finance and trade, innovation and technology, global supply chains, as well as creativity and design. These sessions reflect shared priorities between Hong Kong and Italy and offer in-depth insights into practical collaboration opportunities.
About 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 the Chinese Mainland, 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 business 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.
– Wine & Spirits Zone in the spotlight with global demand for diverse wines and spirits
The three-day 17th Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair ended yesterday, attracting over 8,200 trade buyers from 57 countries and regions
The new “World of Spirits” zone showcased spirits from 14 countries and regions, featuring six of the “Top 10 Chinese Baijiu Brands”
Homegrown brands injected authentic Hong Kong character and gained recognition from overseas buyers.
The 17th Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair (Wine & Spirits Fair), organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), successfully wrapped up yesterday. Beginning on 6 November, the three-day event attracted over 8,200 trade buyers from 57 countries and regions. On the final day, the “Wine Fiesta” zone welcomed over 11,000 adult members of the public who sampled and purchased wines and participated in master classes, tasting sessions, and seminars.
Jenny Koo, Deputy Executive Director of HKTDC, remarked: “This year’s Wine and Spirits fair brought together over 620 exhibitors from 23 countries and regions. In addition to Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, we welcomed exhibitors from the rest of Asia, Europe, and the Americas, who showcased wines and spirits from more than 40 origins. Seminars, networking events, competitions and tasting sessions were held to further industry development and reinforce Hong Kong’s role as a regional wine and spirits trading hub.
The spirits market is becoming increasingly diversified. Following the HKSAR Chief Executive’s announcement in last year’s Policy Address to reduce the duty on high-end liquor, this year’s Wine & Spirits Fair introduced a new World of Spirits zone. Exhibitors in this zone accounted for more than a third of the total, and featured whiskies, Chinese baijiu, brandy, tequila, gin, vodka, rum and more from 14 countries and regions, allowing buyers to gain deeper insights into the cultures and trends of various spirits.”
This year’s exhibition was brimming with activities, while the tasting areas bustled with enthusiastic buyers and visitors. Numerous renowned importers, wholesalers, retailers, and e-commerce platforms actively attended the event for sourcing, including: XIAMEN C&D International Wines & Spirits Group Co., Ltd, Lianhua Supermarket Holdings Co., Ltd., Jiuxian, 1919.cn and Jiujiajiu from Chinese Mainland; Specks Food & Liquor Group PTY LTD from Australia; Mikkeller APS from Denmark; Munjral Brothers (Distribution) Pvt Ltd from India; Mercian Corporation and The Thousand Kyoto from Japan; Hotel Kazakhstan Almaty from Kazakhstan; Shinsegae L&B and Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas from South Korea; Luen Heng F&B Sdn Bhd from Malaysia; Víno.sk s.r.o. from Slovakia; Grupo Alpom Importaciones SL from Spain; Phu & Em Group from Vietnam and more.
Chinese baijiu targets new generation of consumers; emerging markets show potential Chinese baijiu was a highlight in the “World of Spirits” zone. The scale of the pavilion has reached a record high. It also brings six of the “Top 10 Chinese Baijiu Brands”.
One of the exhibitors, Luzhou Laojiao from Sichuan, made a grand debut on the first day of the Wine & Spirits Fair by launching a brand-new product, “Guojiao 1573 · Beautiful Hong Kong”. The bottle design thoughtfully incorporates iconic Hong Kong landmarks, highlighting the city’s cultural identity. In recent years, Luzhou Laojiao has actively pursued strategies to attract younger demographics by lowering the alcohol content and introducing lighter series, successfully attracting next-generation consumers and emerging market buyers.
Ryan Leung, Regional Brand Promotion Manager said, “During this fair, we held individual meetings with buyers from South Africa, Malaysia, India, Japan, and other regions to exchange views on the market potential and consumption trends of Chinese baijiu. Several orders were secured during the event, including hotel distributors and supermarket chains. The result reflects the brand’s efforts in internationalisation and innovative positioning, marking a successful step forward in expanding into international market.”
Another exhibitor, Chen Neng En from Zhejiang Yuanguo Winery Industry Co., Ltd, said, “Participating in this fair in Hong Kong has given us a deep sense of the market’s diversity and vibrancy, helping younger consumers discover baijiu. We connected with some 50 buyers from across the globeincluding India, Indonesia, Canada, and various countries and regions in Southeast Asia. These included import liquor agents, high-end restaurateurs, and boutique liquor retailers.’’
In addition, buyers believe that China’s liquor industry is showing unprecedented potential for internationalisation. Kenneth Soh, Managing Director of Malaysian beverage distributor Luning F&B, said, “We have already imported some Chinese baijiu, but have yet to introduce wines from Chinese Mainland. I am planning to source both red and white wines from Ningxia, while also expanding our Chinese baijiu product line. Our annual procurement is expected to reach between USD million to USD5 million.”
Global wines cater to diverse tastes Beyond Chinese baijiu, the Wine and Spirits Fair showcased wines and spirits from around the globe, including Japanese sake, Irish whiskeys, Russian vodka and Austrian wines, and more fully demonstrating how the Wine & Spirits Fair helps brands both “bring in” and “go global”. David Morris, Chief Executive Officer of the Australia China Business Council Tasmania, said that they successfully connected with buyers and distributors from across Asia and promoted Australian whisky.
Einav Nixon, Commercial Consul and Head of the Israel Economic and Commercial Mission in Hong Kong and Macau, expressed her appreciation for the tasting session. She also noted, “Although Israeli wines are still considered niche in Hong Kong, buyers and media have shown keen interest in our wines and spirits, reflecting significant market potential.” Nixon added that they plan to expand their presence at the Wine & Spirits Fair next year.
Local brands exhibiting at the fair actively expanded their market presence, successfully attracting attention from overseas buyers. Queenie Lau, Business Development Director of Forever Profits International Trading Limited, shared that the company’s new product, “MLW Whiskey Highball,” has expanded into both local and overseas markets just three months after its launch. The brand focuses on low-alcohol beverages, with only 6% ABV, catering to diverse market preferences. The product is now available at major Japanese department stores, and the brand is currently in discussions with hotels and venues in Macau. “During the wine and spirits fair, the brand attracted significant attention from Chinese Mainland, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and more. Multiple distributors proactively sought us out enquired, reflecting the appeal of Hong Kong-manufactured products in Asian markets. We also received orders from several bars, and received an overwhelming response from buyers at the fair!”
Eunbin Park, a buyer from the Korean liquor distribution company, Shinsegae L&B said, “We had a budget of USD20,000 mainly allocated for Portuguese wines from the fairair but I also visited the Australian pavilion as well, and the quality of their wines was a pleasant surprise. I am considering placing an additional order of USD10,000 for two of their wines.” Furthermore, the Wine and Spirits Fair facilitated multiple collaborations. Derek, Chairman of Hong Kong Dragonfly International Group Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Zhang Qin, the brand representative of Xinjiang’s Sunyard Vinery, for a collaboration valued at at RMB300,000. The agreement covers a range of products, including low-alcohol sparkling wine, premium white wine and rosé, demonstrating buyers’ interest in diverse wine categories.
Exciting Events Explored Market Trends – Tasting Sessions Receive Enthusiastic Response 45 events were held during the Wine and Spirits Fair, offering insights into the latest industry trends. Three Masters of Wine, Debra Meiburg, Jennifer Docherty, and Xing Wei, hosted key sessions. Debra Meiburg discussed how AI is transforming the wine industry in Wine Industry Conference: AI in Wine Business; Jennifer Docherty led a seminar titled Off the Beaten Path, Gems from Unsung Regions, introducing wines from Tasmania, Hungary, South Africa, and China and featuring a tasting session. While Xing Wei hosted Savour the Wines of Chinese Terroir, offering a deep dive into unique wines from Chinese Mainland.
The Wine & Spirits Fair once again featured a blind tasting event, hosted by Master of Wine, Xing Wei, sommeliers Carlito Chiu and Calvin Choi. They selected a total of 17 of their favourite wines and spirits, covering red wine, white wine, Chinese baijiu, sake/rice wine, whisky, and other spirits. These specially selected wines and spirits had special labels affixed at the fair for easy identification. Among the selections, Hong Kong’s first local whisky brand, ‘Kowloon Distillery’’ was included in the whiskeys and spirits list. Max Rybinski, Founder of Kowloon Distillery, said, “This recognition has greatly increased our visibility. Many buyers use this list to source products which enhances the credibility of our offerings and underscores the value of our high-quality ingredients.”
Multiple tasting sessions were held to provide industry professionals an in-depth understanding of the unique characteristics of wines and spirits from different origins. These included events such as the Cathay Global Wine and Spirits Awards Asia Winner Tasting, Exploring Yamagata Sake Terroir and Sichuan Brews, Qiong Charm – Savoring Together in Fragrant Harbor – Qionglai Production Area Tasting Event. The sessions attracted numerous buyers and wine and spirits enthusiasts who arrived early to actively participate, creating an atmosphere of knowledge sharing and interactive engagement.
The public day featured a Mixology Party with professional bartenders from Hong Kong, Indonesia and Koreaperforming live. Among them were mixologists from bars listed in the “Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025” list, drawing enthusiastic participation from wine lovers.
Under the EXHIBITION+ hybrid mode, buyers could use the Scan2Match function of the HKTDC Marketplace App to scan exhibitors’ unique QR codes during the physical exhibition. They could also bookmark favourite exhibitors, browse product information and continue discussions with exhibitors online after the show. Exhibitors and buyers can also engage in online business negotiations and matching through the Click2Match smart business matching platform until 15 November 2025.
About 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 Chinese Mainland, 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 business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the Chinese 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. Follow us on @hktdc and LinkedIn
– Smart technology and sustainability take centre stage
The Hong Kong International Optical Fair came to a successful conclusion today, attracting some 12,000 buyers keen on sourcing and procurement
Buyers from outside Hong Kong primarily came from the Chinese Mainland, Taiwan, India, Japan, Korea, the US, and ASEAN countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand
Fair products focused on key market trends — “smart technology”, “sustainability”, “silver healthcare” and “functionality & design” — featuring the industry’s latest achievements in technological innovation and sustainability
Results of the 25th Hong Kong Eyewear Design Competition showcased award-winning entries from local designers
7 November 2025, The 33rd Hong Kong International Optical Fair, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and co-organised by the Hong Kong Optical Manufacturers Association (HKOMA), concluded successfully today. The three-day fair attracted some 12,000 buyers from 92 countries and regions. Buyers from outside Hong Kong primarily came from the Chinese Mainland, Taiwan, India, Japan, Korea, the US, and ASEAN countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand, reinforcing the fair’s role as an important platform to connect with global buyers.
Jenny Koo, Deputy Executive Director, HKTDC, said: “As a premier sourcing platform for the industry, the Optical Fair brought the world’s leading eyewear brands together with innovative technologies and eco-friendly designs. The event featured a series of compelling activities including industry seminars, design competition, and eyewear parades, all of which play pivotal roles in fostering collaboration and networking within the industry.”
Smart technology and sustainability emerge as new industry drivers The fair, themed “Bright Eyes • New Horizons”, showcased contemporary products that align with key market trends — “smart technology”, “sustainability”, “silver healthcare” and “functionality & design” — highlighting the industry’s achievements in technological innovation and sustainable development. Exhibitors introduced various products that blend functionality and aesthetics by integrating elements such as artificial intelligence and eco-friendly materials, catering to diverse market needs and further enhancing the industry’s competitiveness in the international market.
The spotlighted “Brand Name Gallery” showcased over 200 renowned brands from around the world, including BIG HORN and P+US from Hong Kong, MINIMA from France, STEPPER from Germany, United Colors of Benetton from Italy, Masunaga since 1905 and MATSUDA from Japan, Nano Vista from Spain, Ted Baker from the United Kingdom, together with new participating brands such as SUEEY.MASADA from Chinese Mainland, JULBO and SABINE BE from France, SASAKI and PTOLEMY48 from Japan, NIMOME from Korea, Collections Marcus Marienfeld from Switzerland, THRASHER from the US, showcasing distinctive designs.
Exhibitors focused on the latest trends and demonstrated smart products with innovative technologies, further expanding the potential of smart glasses used in daily life and professional sectors. Shenzhen MUEDO Technology Co., Ltd. from the Chinese Mainland presented its U10 Dual-Mode Smart Reading Glasses, featuring auto-focusing lenses and Hi-Fi stereo sound to target the silver market. Overseas Sales Manager Helen Zhuang stated: “We received inquiries from buyers in Italy, Germany, the US, India, among others, and are currently negotiating a collaboration with an Italian buyer with an expected order value of US$500,000.”
In response to the rise of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives, many eyewear brands have launched sustainable glasses featuring recycled materials. Hong Kong exhibitor Winky International Limited offers collections of eco-friendly sunglasses and optical frames made from biodegradable materials. Founder and Creative Director Kevin Ching said that the fair’s three thematic labels, including the “Green Solutions Suppliers” label, helped attract buyers to their booth to examine products and learn about the company’s sustainability vision. He said they have connected with 20 buyers from Indonesia, Vietnam, South Africa, and the Chinese Mainland, including a potential order of US$1 million from an Israeli agent with 260 retail points.
The Optical Fair attracted buyers from around the world, including prominent international buyers such as the Mondottica Group representative for Australia, Brazil’s VISTA IMPORT, leading European industry players like the Asia-Pacific representative of France’s Kering Eyewear, Germany’s Fielmann Group, and the Asia representative of UK’s Specsavers, India’s eyewear giant Lenskart, Indonesia’s Grand Optik, Singapore’s Capitol Optical, and the United States’ Euro Vision International.
Caitlin Northup, Vice President of Operations for US-based wholesale distributor Eyenavision, said “We aim to explore new suppliers and strengthen relationships with existing suppliers by attending the Optical Fair. We met with 20 exhibitors and have already placed onsite orders totaling US$500,000 with two exhibitors from the Chinese Mainland for lenses.”
Optisero, S.L. from Spain is a family business with a 30-year history in the optical industry. Joint Administrator Antonia Rivas said: “We have attended the Optical Fair every year for the past twenty years to source optical cases and lenses. This year, we connected with 20 potential suppliers at the fair. Our overall sourcing budget for suppliers we met at the fair will be around EUR2 million annually.”
Eyewear Design Competition showcases new design talents The HKTDC and the Hong Kong Optical Manufacturers Association co-organised “The 25th Hong Kong Eyewear Design Competition”, to promote the diversification and internationalisation of local eyewear designs. The competition aimed to identify promising and emerging design talents and promote innovative design and technology within the local eyewear industry. Themed “Blending Tradition and Technology”, the competition featured an Open Group as well as a Student Group. The award ceremony was held on the first day of the fair, with winning and shortlisted entries displayed throughout the event. The Open Group champion, “Be With You,” designed by Fung Wai-kuen, automatically alerts family members via bluetooth-connected smartphones when the wearer falls or presses the emergency button, significantly reducing accident risks for the elderly. This design also won the “Made-to-Sell Award”. In the Student Group, Shum Chui-shan’s “Unique Perspectives” won first place. The design incorporates the auspicious butterfly symbol from traditional Chinese culture, utilising tie-dye techniques and a detachable structure which enhances the design’s three-dimensional effect and functionality.
The fair continues to adopt the EXHIBITION+ hybrid model which seamlessly integrates online and offline elements to extend business opportunities. Exhibitors and buyers can connect and arrange meetings through the Click2Match online smart business-matching platform until 14 November. During the physical event, buyers can also use the Scan2Match function on the HKTDC Marketplace App to scan exhibitors’ QR codes to bookmark favourite suppliers, access product details and interactive floor plans, and make product enquiries — enabling engagement with exhibitors before and after the fair to continue their sourcing journey.
Fair Details Date: 5 – 7 November 2025 (Wednesday to Friday) Time: (5 to 6 November) 9:30am – 6:30pm (7 November) 9:30am – 5:00pm Venue: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre Admission: For trade visitors aged 18 or above only. Onsite Registration Fee: HK$100 per person (free for e-Badge registration and pre-registered buyers)
Click2Match – Smart Business Matching Platform Date: 29 October – 14 November
About 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 the Chinese Mainland, 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 business 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.
‘World of Spirits’ zone debuts to promote trade, opens to public for wine and spirits tasting on Saturday
– Over 620 exhibitors from 23 countries and regions will be showcasing wine, spirits, sake, beer, low- and non-alcoholic beverages with over 30% of exhibitors featuring spirits. Nearly half of all activities are spirits-related. – The newly launched “World of Spirits” zone highlights spirits from 14 countries and regions, including six of the “Top 10 Chinese Baijiu Brands” such as Kweichow Moutai, showcasing the innovative, international and diverse evolution of Chinese baijiu. – Sharing insights from their areas of expertise are Masters of Wine Debra Meiburg, Jennifer Docherty, and Xing Wei who will all host key events.
Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair (Wine & Spirits Fair) opens today and runs for three days (6–8 November) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. This year’s Wine & Spirits Fair features over 620 exhibitors from 23 countries and regions, including Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, and exhibitors from the Americas, Asia, and Europe. With 18 pavilions, the Wine & Spirits Fair reinforces Hong Kong’s role as a regional hub for the wine and spirits trade.
As the spirits market diversifies together with the Chief Executive’s announcement of reduced liquor duty in last year’s Policy Address, this year’s Wine & Spirits Fair introduces the “World of Spirits” zone, featuring spirits from 14 countries and regions. Visitors can explore spirits culture and flavours from around the world all in one place, featuring a strong presence of Chinese baijiu and local Hong Kong brands. Six of the “Top 10 Chinese Baijiu Brands” are exhibiting, including Kweichow Moutai, Jiangsu Yanghe, Wuliangye, Luzhou Laojiao, Jiannanchun and Langjiu from Sichuan. Also featured are Hongjiaban Baijiu, founded by Hong Kong actor Timmy Hung, and Kowloon Distillery, Hong Kong’s first local whiskey brand.
This year, Xing Wei, Asia’s youngest Master of Wine, joins award-winning sommeliers Carlito Chiu and Calvin Choi in a blind tasting event to select their favourite red wines, white wines, Chinese baijiu, sake/rice wine, whisky, and other liquors, to serve as a reference for industry professionals and the public. The selected wines and spirits will have special labels affixed at the fair for easy identification.
The selected wines and spirits by the three connoisseurs were:
Red Wine
PORTA da RAVESSA OLD VINEYARDS RED; Portugal (Adega de Redondo, Crl; Booth no.: 3E-B15)
Silk Road Vineyards Harvest Red Dry; China (Xinjiang Silk Road Vineyards Co., Ltd; Booth no.: 3E-A22)
Kowloon Single Malt Whiskey; Hong Kong (Kowloon Spirits Limited; Booth no.: 3C-E26)
Other Liquors
Braastad VSOP Cognac; France (Hong Kong Fine Wine Exchange Centre Ltd.; Booth no.: 3C-E18)
Three Cuts Gin (Distiller’s Release) 42% ABV; Australia (Turner Stillhouse; Booth no.: 3E-C08B)
Hakutake Yuzumon; Japan (Wismettac Nippon Foods Company Limited; Booth no.: 3D-C10)
Five Flowers Tea Gin; Hong Kong (Two Moons Distillery; Booth no.: 3D-A23)
Exciting events explore market trends Over 40 events and conferences will be held during the Wine & Spirits Fair, with 20 focused on spirits, offering insights into the latest market developments. Highlights include Originate from China • Sail to the World 2025 China Baijiu Culture International Promotion Asia Forum (6 November), co-organised by the China Alcoholic Drinks Association and HKTDC. Tasmanian Whisky & Spirits Master Class organised by Australia China Business Council and Baijiu – The Rising Trend by Tomy Fong will be held tomorrow (7 November). The Baijiu Experience Zone, introducing different aroma types of Chinese baijiu through sensory experiences, will be one of the highlights of the Wine & Spirits Fair.
Masters of Wine host key sessions, with Debra Meiburg hosting Cathay Global Wine & Spirits Awards Asia – Award Presentation Ceremony and Wine Industry Conference: AI in Wine Business today, Jennifer Docherty hosting Off The Beaten Path, Gems From Unsung Regions and Xing Wei hosting Savour the Wines of Chinese Terroir.
On 8th November, the final day of the Wine & Spirits Fair, the Wine Fiesta zone will be open to ticket-holding members of the public aged 18 or above who can sample and buy wine and spirits, and participate in Baijiu 101 Class organised by VTC, to understand more about Chinese baijiu; an Austrian Wine and Local Sauce Pairing Workshop will be hosted by Debra Meiburg; Take on a Wine-pairing Experience with Carlito hosted by Carlito Chiu; food pairing event When Sake Meets Chinese Cuisine led by Menex Cheung, Executive Chef of China Tang Landmark; and Mixology Party, where mixologists from various countries and regions will perform cocktail demonstrations using different types of spirits as the base. Among them are several bartenders from bars listed in the “Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025”.
There are several wine awards and competitions during the Wine & Spirits Fair. Cathay Global Wine and Spirits Awards Asia – Award Ceremony takes place today. Hong Kong International Mixology Showdown 2025 – Semi Final of HK region is held today and Final of China GBA region will be held tomorrow. WINE LUXE Hong Kong TOP 10 Wine Pairing Restaurant Awards and 2025 Hong Kong International Spirits Challenge Awards Ceremony by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Wine & Spirits will also be held tomorrow. TASTING TRENDIES Sake Awards TTSA & Spirits Challenge TTSC Awards Ceremony 2025 will be held on the last day of the Wine & Spirits Fair.
Final day opens to ticket-holding public Regular tickets of the Wine Fiesta, priced at HK$220, are available at the exhibition venue. Advance tickets, priced at HK$128, are available until 6pm on 7 November via CTG Bus, GoByBus, HK Liquor Store, HK01, HKGO, KKDay, KLOOK, lankwaifong.com, Trip.com, Winenow, Wai Shing Wine International CO., Ltd. and Trans-Island Chinalink. Ticket buyers will receive a Lucaris crystal wine glass on a first-come, first-served basis. Visitors can enjoy and purchase wines and spirits from around the world, including some that are not yet available on the market, at various tasting zones around the exhibition halls..
About 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 Chinese Mainland, 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 business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the Chinese 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.
– Creativity meets technology: with leading silver market, green and smart trends
– At the 33rd Hong Kong International Optical Fair, three product labels – “Smart Ageing Products”, “Green Solutions Suppliers”, and “Smart Eyewear” – are highlighted to facilitate sourcing. The Green Booth Design Competition will recognise exhibitors for their eco-friendly booth concept – Tomorrow, 6 November, the 23rd Hong Kong International Optometric Symposium will feature experts sharing the latest developments in senior vision care – The 25th Hong Kong Eyewear Design Competition award ceremony was held today, 5 November. Winning and shortlisted entries are exhibited onsite at BNG Rendezvous, Grand Hall
Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and co-organised by the Hong Kong Optical Manufacturers Association (HKOMA), the 33rd Hong Kong International Optical Fair opened today and will run from 5 to 7 November at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. This morning’s opening ceremony was officiated by Jude Chow, Executive Deputy Chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries.
Jenny Koo, Acting Executive Director, HKTDC, stated in her opening remarks: “Hong Kong has long been one of the world’s leading exporters of optical products. Over the years, the Optical Fair has become a must-attend event for industry professionals from around the world. We are delighted to welcome over 660 exhibitors from 19 countries and regions this year. HKTDC has invited buyers from around the world to visit the fair, including from emerging markets such as Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam in ASEAN; Egypt and the UAE in the Middle East; and Brazil and Uruguay in South America; as well as from traditional markets like Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom, creating substantial business opportunities for exhibitors.”
Diverse pavilions showcase global creativity and technology Themed “Bright Eyes – New Horizons”, the Optical Fair brings a wealth of innovative products which integrate scientific research, design excellence and sustainability concepts. The fair features ten group pavilions, including the Hong Kong Optical Manufacturers Association (HKOMA), the Chinese Mainland (with delegations from Danyang, Zhejiang and Yingtan), Taiwan, Japan, Korea, and the new ASEAN pavilion, as well as “Visionaries of Style” which showcases creative and trendy designs. Highlighted examples include:
Japan Pavilion exhibitor Sasaki Celluloid (Booth: GH-C05) showcases eyewear crafted from rare celluloid material. Featuring a curved shape with coreless celluloid temples, the eyewear is designed for comfort. A timeless design with detailed cutting which combines expert Japanese technique and beauty in one ideal piece.
Taiwan Pavilion exhibitor Greatland Enterprise (Booth: 1C-F09) presents sunglasses equipped with NIRTECH® lens technology for cooling. It effectively blocks Near Infrared Radiation (NIR) to reduce eye heat and fatigue, keeping eyes cool and comfortable even in strong sunlight.
American brand Blake Kuwahara (Booth: GH-A18) at “Visionaries of Style” showcases intricate craftsmanship like laminated “frame-within-a-frame” construction. Every frame is meticulously handcrafted, highlighting nuanced details and superior craftsmanship.
The signature “Brand Name Gallery” showcases a curated selection of over 200 globally renowned brands spanning designer eyewear, trendy styles, and high-tech products. Notable brands include MINIMA from France, STEPPER from Germany, United Colors of Benetton from Italy, Masunaga since 1905 from Japan, nimome from Korea, Nano Vista from Spain, Collections Marcus Marienfeld from Switzerland, Ted Baker from the United Kingdom, and THRASHER from the USA.
Other exhibition zones are organised by product category, including the “Smart Glasses” zone which displays the ongoing trend of smart technology development, the “Designer Cafe and Innovation Hub” showcasing designer eyewear and innovative technology, as well as “Contact Lenses and Accessories”, “Diagnostic Instruments,” “Eyewear Accessories,” “Frames and Parts,” “Lenses,” “Optometric Instruments, Equipment & Machinery,” “Reading Glasses,” “Shop Fittings and Equipment,” and “Sporting and Professional Eyewear,” showcasing the innovation and diversity of the eyewear industry. For example:
Hong Kong Exhibitor Meisystem Asia Ltd. (Booth: 1B-B14) presents the EasyFit Trend ophthalmic lens edger, specifically designed for optical shops and small labs. This compact lens edger and beveler offers precision and reliability. It features an innovative lens testing system to boost productivity and boasts a modern, streamlined design.
Hong Kong Exhibitor Arts Optical Company Limited (Booth: GH-K01) introduces OPTI AI. Utilising VR to capture dynamic visual behavior patterns and powered by AI as its computational core. This breakthrough overcomes the limitations of traditional progressive lens design and fitting, creating bespoke lenses for individuals and redefining the progressive lens fitting paradigm.
Three thematic labels ensure market demands and needs are precisely matched
To facilitate buyer procurement, three special labels were introduced last year: “Smart Ageing Products”, “Green Solutions Suppliers” and “Smart Eyewear”, which were well-received by the industry. These three labels appear again this year to enhance procurement efficiency and highlight exhibitor innovations in the silver economy, sustainability, and smart technology. Selected highlighted products under these labels include:
Smart Ageing Products
Chinese Mainland brand MUEDO (Booth: 1D-G05) presents its U10 Dual-Mode Smart Reading Glasses, featuring auto-focusing lenses and hi-fi stereo sound quality. This design addresses a common issue where presbyopic individuals excessively increase volume levels while watching videos or during calls.
Japanese exhibitor Sasamata (Booth: GH-C11) presents its ultra-lightweight eye-bow eyewear frame, featuring a stage-controlled flip-up mechanism inspired by scissor-type hinges — perfect for users who constantly put on and take off their reading glasses.
Green Solutions Supplies
Founded by a Hong Kong eyewear designer, JLX STUDIO MADE (Booth: GH-C25) focuses on 3D-printed eyewear. The brand blends traditional craftsmanship with digital technology, using eco-friendly 3D-printing to reduce production waste and showcase a sustainable, customised vision for the future of eyewear.
Smart Eyewear
Chinese Mainland’s smart eyewear brand LAWAKEN (Booth: 1D-F06) presents its all-in-one AR glasses, LAWK ONE. Equipped with fitness tracking, AR navigation, music and call functionality, it supports first-person perspective 4K ultra HD recording, offering outdoor enthusiasts a hands-free experience and reducing reliance on smartphones.
This year the Green Booth Design Competition encourages exhibitors to incorporate sustainable concepts into their booth designs. Wenzhou Ouhai Glasses Co Ltd (Booth 1B-D18) won the Gold Award, while Micron Eyewear Manufactory Company Limited (Booth 1E-B18) and Jiangsu Xuzhi Optical Glasses Co., Ltd. (Booth 1C-D02) secured the Silver and Bronze Awards respectively. All three winners centered their designs around eco-friendly materials and waste reduction, demonstrating their brands’ commitment to sustainable development.
Expert symposium and design competition foster industry exchange and innovation
A series of events and eyewear parades are held at the fair. Tomorrow (6 November), The23rd Hong Kong International Optometric Symposium, organised by the HKTDC and co-organised by The Hong Kong Optometric Association and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, will take place with the theme “Age Well, See Well: Redefining Eye Care for the Golden Age”. This event drives vision care for the ageing community toward new milestones. The opening ceremony will feature an address by Dr. Pang Fei-chau, Commissioner for Primary Healthcare, Health Bureau, and six experts and academics from Hong Kong, Australia, Singapore and the United Kingdom will share insights on topics such as age-related visual challenges, diabetic retinopathy, and optometric care for patients with cognitive impairment, offering more personalised and effective health solutions for the silver market. The symposium is accredited by the Optometrists Board of Hong Kong, and participants attending the full-day conference may be eligible for up to six Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours.
The HKTDC always encourages the nurturing of new talent to energise the industry. The25th Hong Kong Eyewear Design Competition, co-organised by HKTDC and the Hong Kong Optical Manufacturers Association, was held under the theme “Blending Tradition and Technology” and encourages designers to fuse craftsmanship aesthetics with innovative technology to create eyewear that is both functional and fashionable. The competition featured an Open Group and a Student Group. The award presentation was held this afternoon. The award-winning and shortlisted designs are displayed at BNG Rendezvous, Grand Hall during the fair. For competition results, please visit: OPT2025_eFairCat_DesignCompetition.indd
The fair will continue to adopt the EXHIBITION+ hybrid model which seamlessly integrates online and offline elements to extend business opportunities. Exhibitors and buyers can connect and arrange meetings through the Click2Match online smart business-matching platform until 14 November. During the physical event, buyers can also use the Scan2Match function on the HKTDC Marketplace App to scan exhibitors’ QR codes to bookmark favourite suppliers, access product details and interactive floor plans, and make product enquiries—enabling engagement with exhibitors before and after the fair to continue their sourcing journey.
Fair Details Date: 5 – 7 November 2025 (Wednesday to Friday) Time: (5 to 6 November) 9:30am – 6:30pm (7 November) 9:30am – 5:00pm Venue: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre Admission: For trade visitors aged 18 or above only. Onsite Registration Fee: HK$100 per person (free for e-Badge registration and pre-registered buyers)
Click2Match – Smart Business Matching Platform Date: 29 October – 14 November
About 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 Chinese Mainland, 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 business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the Chinese 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.
– Global brands launch innovative products Survey reveals AI, smart city development and technological advancement as driving forces in the lighting industry
– Two major lighting fairs and Eco Expo Asia have concluded with success, attracting some 62,000 buyers from 141 countries and regions – The spotlight Hall of Connected Lighting featured some 70 top global brands. An AI smart lighting exhibitor at the Autumn Lighting Fair successfully confirmed an onsite order with a Thai buyer worth up to RMB8 million, double the value of their sales at the fair last year – In an independent on-site survey, 61% of lighting industry respondents expect overall sales to grow in the next one to two years. Respondents foresee that AI (57%), smart city development (40%) and technological advancement (36%) will be key growth drivers in the lighting industry – Eco Expo Asia helped enterprises expand their international trade networks and seize green business opportunities globally, with notable increases in buyers from Australia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and the US. – A green enterprise from the Chinese Mainland stated that Eco Expo Asia serves as a “go global” platform for mainland green companies, helping them capture business opportunities in the Middle East and SEA. Company representatives expect overseas revenue growth for the full year to exceed 200%.
The 27th Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition) and the 10th Hong Kong International Outdoor and Tech Light Expo, both organised by the HKTDC, and the 20th Eco Expo Asia, jointly organised by the HKTDC and Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd and co-organised by the Environment and Ecology Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), have come to a successful conclusion. The three exhibitions attracted some 62,000 buyers from 141 countries and regions.
Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC Jenny Koo said: “This year’s Autumn Lighting Fair and Outdoor and Tech Light Expo attracted top global brands, showcasing a wealth of innovative and smart lighting products and solutions. Eco Expo Asia debuted a new pavilion that featured 22 local green start-ups presented by the Environmental Campaign Committee and the ANSO Environmental Technology Industry Alliance, led by the Alliance of National and International Science Organizations for the Belt and Road Regions (ANSO), and 11 mainland enterprises, bringing together diverse green technologies. The three fairs drew some 62,000 buyers. Buyers from outside Hong Kong primarily came from the Chinese Mainland, Taiwan, India, Korea, the US and ASEAN countries, including Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand. This shows the fairs’ appeal as global hubs for the lighting and environmental industries, leveraging Hong Kong’s strengths as a trading centre and gateway to international markets.”
Survey reflects optimism about lighting industry sales over the next two years An independent survey of over 730 exhibitors and buyers at the Autumn Lighting Fair and Outdoor and Tech Light Expo revealed that respondents hold an optimistic outlook, with 61% respondents expecting overall sales to grow in the next 12-24 months, and 37% expecting sales to remain unchanged. In terms of target markets, respondents were mainly optimistic about ASEAN countries (71%), India (70%) and the Middle East (70%).
In terms of trends in lighting products, respondents foresee that AI (57%), smart city development (40%) and technological advancement (36%) will be driving factors of industry growth. 74% of respondents believed smart lighting demonstrates good to very good market potential over the next two years. Respondents consider smart lighting to have the greatest development potential in home automation and smart lighting control systems (39%), followed by energy-efficient lighting control solutions (38%) and wireless lighting control systems (29%).
Regarding challenges, respondents identified the top three operational challenges this year as fluctuations of global economy (65%), rising costs due to inflation (42%), and growing protectionist measures, such as export controls, tariffs and sanctions (35%). In light of US tariffs, 54% of respondents reported no or minimal impact on their company’s procurement and sales strategies, while 16% indicated a significant impact.
Lighting fairs bring innovative products, global brands unveil new offerings and immersive experiences Under the theme ‘Illuminated Designs for a Smarter Future’, the twin lighting fairs showcased innovative products and smart lighting solutions from top global brands. The Hall of Connected Lighting returned as the Autumn Lighting Fair’s focal point, featuring some 70 leading brands, demonstrating smart lighting and IoT applications. Dutch company Signify unveiled its latest product in Asia– VitaUp Vitamin D3 Modules by Philips, offering a safe and controlled source of low-intensity UVB exposure to support healthy vitamin D levels. Raimond Dumoulin, LED Architect at Signify, stated that the company has connected with over 100 potential buyers from the United States, Egypt, Korea, Japan, India, the Netherlands, Finland, Norway, and the Chinese Mainland. Based on the strong interest shown by these potential buyers in the newly launched products and other offerings, the company expects the fair to generate orders worth between EUR1 to 2 million.
Specialising in smart lighting controls, Casambi Technologies Oy from Finland – created various scenes at the fair – such as a café setting, presentation mode and shows – providing buyers with a fully immersive experience, while showcasing seamless mode transitions and the smart, intuitive operation. Tommy Hoo, APAC Strategy and Marketing Leader, said: “This is our first time attending the Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition), marking our debut at an exhibition in the Asia-Pacific region. APAC is an emerging market for us, and the fair has been highly effective in supporting our expansion plans. During the first half-day, we spoke with over 100 potential clients and participated in about 10 business matching meetings. We also pre-arranged additional meetings using the Scan2Match service to connect with potential clients from Singapore, Australia, India, Canada, Denmark, and more.”
Additionally, lighting systems integrated with AI have also attracted attention from buyers. Bweetech Electronics Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. is an innovative enterprise specialising in personal wireless smart lighting. Users simply express their intent and the system’s AI technology can automatically interpret and generate the ideal lighting effects tailored to the scene. Bweetech’s Marketing Manager, Green Geng, expressed that the company has attracted some 50 potential buyers from the United States, Korea, Japan and Southeast Asia within the first two days of the exhibition. The company also successfully confirmed an onsite order worth RBM8 million with a Thai buyer, doubling the value of their sales at the fair last year.
The concurrent Hong Kong International Outdoor and Tech Light Expo brought a diverse range of outdoor commercial and industrial lighting solutions, supporting the development of smart cities. The returning Smart Pole and Solution Zone featured Chinese Mainland exhibitor Ningbo Freelux Lighting Appliance Co., Ltd. who joined the expo to look for buyers from new markets. The company’s CEO Allen Mao said: “We have met with new buyers from different parts of the world, including Africa, Europe, the Middle East, South America and Southeast Asia. Two to three new buyers from Argentina and Poland have expressed their intention to purchase our streetlights. We expect that total orders generated by this expo will be around US$2-3 million.”
Trient Trading from the United Arab Emirates has been visiting the twin lighting fairs for five consecutive years. The company’s Sales and Product Specialist Hasan Khan said: “I am handling two large-scale projects: a new office building for a large logistics group and a hotel apartment project. I plan to purchase outdoor lighting, architectural lighting and decorative lighting for the construction of the new office building and facade lighting for the hotel apartment project, with a total order value of US$1.6 million.”
Eco Expo Asia welcomed its 20th edition fully committing to net zero goals Under the theme ‘Green Innovations for Carbon Neutrality’, Eco Expo Asia showcased the latest achievements in Circular Economy and Waste Management, Green & Smart Mobility and ESG-related Services, providing invaluable networking opportunities for the green industry. As a leading business platform for ESG and sustainable development solutions, Eco Expo Asia continued to receive support from governments, industry associations and enterprises worldwide. In collaboration with the Environment and Ecology Bureau, the expo extended invitations to government service providers from the Chinese Mainland, as well as from ASEAN and Belt and Road countries, to visit and source green technologies and products.
A green enterprise from Chinese Mainland believed that Eco Expo Asia is a platform for mainland green companies to go global and capture business opportunities in the Middle East and SEA. Infore Enviro‘s Executive Vice President Fu Qu said: “In the fair, we successively engaged with over 35 government representatives from different places, including, Hong Kong, the UAE, Kazakhstan, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines etc. The representative of the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment expressed interest in our waste collection and transportation vehicle, and our road sweeping cleaning vehicle. We will visit the UAE to continue the discussing of this potential business opportunity. Through this exhibition, we expect the annual overseas revenue growth rate to exceed 200%”
One local startup said it showcased green innovation achievements through the expo. Jay Hsu, Senior Manager, GreenTech of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, shared: “The expo attracted Hong Kong investors and property management companies to visit, buyers from the Belt and Road countries and Southeast Asia such as Malaysia, Vietnam, and Singapore are also interested in our solutions. We have generated numerous leads, with six out of 10 exhibiting companies identifying potential buyers, and expect orders to reach approximately HK$15 million.”
A local exhibitor Dunwell Engineering Company Limited has participated for 20 years. The company’s Sustainability Officer, Benson Leung, stated: “In the first two days of the expo, we have already connected with potential buyers from Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, Korea, Saudi Arabia and EU countries. They showed particular interest in a food waste processing system targeting hotels and residential estates, and lithium battery fire extinguishers. Additionally, we secured approximately 10 business matches with ASEAN buyers via the Click2Match platform, with meetings scheduled at the fair. This participation is projected to contribute around 20% of the company’s annual revenue.”
The expo attracted numerous overseas buyers actively sourcing products. A buyer from Hungary, Endre Bali, Business Development Director of Oxyma Systems Kft, shared: “I serve as a business consultant to a hydrogen association in Hungary. At the fair, I connected with an exhibitor from the Chinese Mainland and see a strong potential for establishing a hydrogen storage and production partnership, valued at US$3–5 million.”
Igniting cross-industry business opportunities through three fairs Organised by the HKTDC, the Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition) and the Hong Kong International Outdoor and Tech Light Expo formed a world-renowned lighting marketplace, attracting some 3,000 exhibitors collectively, and some 41,000 buyers and more than 10,000 buyers, respectively. Eco Expo Asia, jointly organised by the HKTDC and Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd., and co-organised by the Environment and Ecology Bureau of the Government of the HKSAR, drew some 340 exhibitors and over 11,000 buyers.
Under the EXHIBITION+ hybrid mode, exhibitors and buyers can engage in online business negotiations and matching for the three fairs through the Click2Match smart business matching platform until 7 November.
About 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 the Chinese Mainland, 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 business 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.
About Messe Frankfurt The Messe Frankfurt Group is one of the world’s leading trade fair, congress and event organisers with its own exhibition grounds. With a workforce of some 2,160 people at its headquarters in Frankfurt am Main and in 28 subsidiaries, it organises events around the world. Group sales in financial year 2022 were around €454 million. We serve our customers’ business interests efficiently within the framework of our Fairs & Events, Locations and Services business fields. One of Messe Frankfurt’s key strengths is its powerful and closely knit global sales network, which covers around 180 countries in all regions of the world. Our comprehensive range of services – both onsite and online – ensures that customers worldwide enjoy consistently high quality and flexibility when planning, organising and running their events. We are using our digital expertise to develop new business models. The wide range of services includes renting exhibition grounds, trade fair construction and marketing, personnel and food services. Sustainability is a central pillar of our corporate strategy. Here, we strike a healthy balance between ecological and economic interests, social responsibility and diversity.
For more information, please visit our website at: www.messefrankfurt.com/sustainability. With its headquarters in Frankfurt am Main, the company is owned by the City of Frankfurt (60%) and the State of Hesse (40%). For more information, please visit our website at: www.messefrankfurt.com
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