– 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
– Focusing on three green tech areas that lead to a zero-carbon future supporting the Policy Address
The 20th edition of Eco Expo Asia opens today for four days at AsiaWorld-Expo, gathering some 340 exhibitors from 13 countries and regions
The Expo features diverse activities and product technologies in response to the Policy Address, covering three key areas – Circular Economy and Waste Management, Green & Smart Mobility and ESG-related Service
The ‘Experience Sharing Forum on Promoting Environmental Business in Overseas Markets’ will be held tomorrow. Government officials and representatives of quasi-governmental organisations from Belt and Road countries will share strategies for local market development, to help green companies expand their international networks
The 20th Eco Expo Asia, jointly organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (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), opened at AsiaWorld-Expo today and runs until 31 October. Some 340 exhibitors from 13 countries and regions are showcasing innovative green technologies and products, as well as ESG and sustainable solutions. The last day of the Expo, 31 October, will open to the public for free, to encourage sustainable living practices.
Yu Huiwen, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People’s Republic of China; Ding Zhijun, Deputy Director of the Department of Energy Conservation and Comprehensive Utilization, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People’s Republic of China; Tse Chin-wan, Secretary for Environment and Ecology of the Hong Kong SAR Government; HKTDC Executive Director Sophia Chong; and Richard Li, Executive Director of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, attended Eco Expo’s opening ceremony today.
HKTDC Executive Director Sophia Chong said: “This year, we celebrate a significant milestone of the Expo – its 20th edition. This not only marks our commitment to sustainability but also underscores our ongoing mission to develop the ecosystem for driving innovation and collaboration to support the green agenda. Under the theme ‘Green Innovations for Carbon Neutrality’, Eco Expo Asia provides invaluable opportunities for the green industry. This year, once again, we are bringing together leading players from the eco sector to pave the way for a more sustainable future, in alignment with the Hong Kong SAR Government’s net zero goals.”
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Tse Chin-wan, said, “In the global journey towards sustainability, Hong Kong serves as a ‘super connector’. With our unique position as an international city within the Guangdong-Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area and a bridge between Chinese Mainland and the world, Hong Kong brings together talent, technology, and capital to foster collaboration and scale up green innovation.
Global exhibitors gather to showcase innovative environmental technologies This year’s Expo brings together 17 pavilions. For the first time, the Environmental Campaign Committee is hosting a pavilion, presenting 22 local green start-ups, alongside a joint government pavilion featuring 11 bureaux and departments, including the Environment and Ecology Bureau. Chinese Mainland delegations from Guangdong, including Guangzhou and Shenzhen, Guangxi, Hunan, Inner Mongolia and Shanghai are also joining the Expo. The ANSO Environmental Technology Industry Alliance, led by the Alliance of National and International Science Organizations for the Belt and Road Regions(ANSO), is making its debut, together with 11 mainland enterprises, showcasing technologies related to water resources and the atmospheric environment, and laying the foundation for future expansion overseas. New overseas pavilions include Italy and South Korea, while Canada, the Netherlands and Norway are returning this year.
The Expo is also actively building a platform to support Hong Kong and mainland enterprises to go global and explore new opportunities in green trade, attracting buyers from Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Hungary and Poland to visit and source at the event. For tomorrow’s ‘Experience Sharing Forum on Promoting Environmental Business in Overseas Markets’, the Hong Kong SAR Government has invited government officials and representatives from quasi-governmental organisations from Belt and Road countries to share strategies to develop local markets. In collaboration with the Environment and Ecology Bureau, the Expo extends 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.
Three major green and smart areas supporting the Policy Address Environmental protection has become a key policy focus in recent years. The Chinese Government recently released guidelines on advancing low-carbon transition and strengthening the development of China’s carbon trading market. This year’s Policy Address highlighted new directions in green policy in Hong Kong, including fostering green and low-carbon living environments, and expediting the application of green technologies. In line with industry development, the Expo brings together a diverse range of green tech, showcasing the latest achievements in Circular Economy and Waste Management, Green & Smart Mobility and ESG-related Services.
In Circular Economy and Waste Management, Green AI Technology Limited (Booth No. 3-D38) displays its AI-powered smart sorting bin with real-time waste identification, demonstrating good recycling methods through interactive learning. Dynagreen Environmental Protection Group Co., Ltd (Booth No. 3-E30) showcases its comprehensive waste treatment project, contributing to sustainable urban development.
In Green & Smart Mobility, SANY Turbo Fly Machine Limited (Booth No. 6-C26) from Hong Kong and Macao, a subsidiary of SANY Group, a leading equipment manufacturing company in the Chinese Mainland, brings its SANY Mobile Charging Power Station, which can charge two electric trucks simultaneously. CIMC Enric Investment Holding (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (Booth No. 3-F14), a leading manufacturer of advanced clean energy equipment, showcases innovative hydrogen and green methanol technology solutions for transportation and storage.
The Expo also showcases ESG-related services. Llewellyn and Partners Company Limited (Booth No. 6-D14) displays AutoTwin, a patented AI-powered integrated management platform for the construction industry, which helps reduce building operating costs, time and carbon emissions. XSIM AI Canada Inc.,(Booth No. 6-C23), a Canadian technology company, empowers wastewater and industrial facilities with its AI-driven system to reduce downtime and lower operational costs, while cutting carbon emissions by up to 30% .
Research institutions and start-ups also play a significant role in the Expo. In addition to the return of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Booth No. 3-G24), Lingnan University (Booth No. 6-A25) and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University Jinjiang Technology and Innovation Research Institute (Booth No. 6-A23) are joining for the first time this year. The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (Booth No. 3-F20) presents start-up afterNATURE (Booth No. 3-F20), which is showcasing its Deep Hexagonal Basin product. This innovation creates habitats for marine life on its surface, helping to preserve coastal biodiversity. Another start-up, Formwork IO (Booth No. 3-F20), exhibits AtmosBrick and is globally debuting AtmosTile at the Expo. These ‘carbon-negative’ building materials are designed to help reduce carbon emissions.
Eco Asia Conference brings together industry leaders, focusing on construction and transportation sectors
Eco Expo’s highlight event, Eco Asia Conference, began today with the Government Session. Ding Zhijun, Deputy Director of the Department of Energy Conservation and Comprehensive Utilization, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People’s Republic of China, shared the country’s latest environmental policies and trends. Officials from Myanmar, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and other Belt and Road countries also elaborated on their latest green policies and projects. Another session, ‘Revolutionising with Circular Economy: From Waste to Innovative Solutions’, featured experts led by the Business Environment Council, who explored the application of circular economy concepts in business operations. The Hong Kong Circular Built Environment Guidebook is also making its debut at the Conference, providing the latest green guidelines for the construction industry.
On the third day of the Expo, on 30 October, the Conference will have two main themes: ‘Building a Sustainable Future: Gearing Towards a Net-Zero Built Environment’ and ‘Green & Smart Mobility – Envisioning the Future of Transportation’. Industry leaders and experts, including Pak-cheung Chan, Deputy Director, Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, Hong Kong SAR Government, and Dr Rick Mo, Head of the Centre of Advanced Power and Autonomous Systems (APAS), Hong Kong Productivity Council, will share insights and discuss how the construction and transportation industries can build sustainable cities through effective collaboration.
Other exciting activities include the FHKI Q-Mark Low Carbon Restaurant Award 2025 on 28 October, the first day of the Expo. The 6th Hydrogen Economy Forum will be held on the second day of the Expo, on 29 October. Diane Wong, JP, Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Hong Kong SAR Government will deliver the keynote address, while Dr Wang Ziyuan, Vice President, China Hydrogen Development and Innovation Alliance for Urban Gas will share insights on the opportunities and challenges of hydrogen energy in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The Expo also features various seminars, including ‘Startup Edge’, which promotes the development of green start-ups, featuring presentations by start-up representatives from various environmental fields.
On 31 October, Eco Expo will open to the public free of charge, to encourage public participation in environmental initiatives through a series of talks, workshops and activities. These include a seminar on the recent hot topic of extreme weather by Man Yee Chan, Chief Experimental Officer, Hong Kong Observatory, and a presentation by Ocean Park on Mission R, an initiative to protect endangered wildlife and their habitats. The public can also participate in various environmental workshops, and purchase eco-friendly products from the Green Mart.
Other concurrent events The Hong Kong International Outdoor and Tech Light Expo takes place from 28 to 31 October at AsiaWorld-Expo, showcasing outdoor and professional technical lighting solutions for commercial and industrial use; while the Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition) opened yesterday and will run until 30 October at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Free shuttle bus services are offered between these venues and other locations in the city throughout the fair period. Please refer to the following page for details: https://www.hktdc.com/event/ecoexpoasia/en/travel-to-fairground-awe
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
– Reflecting a broad-based recovery in business sentiment from tariff shock in Q3
Standard Chartered and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC)jointly released the latest Standard Chartered Greater Bay Area Business Confidence Index (GBAI). The latest quarterly survey showed a broad-based recovery in business confidence in the third quarter towards current business performance and business outlook, likely supported by reduced external uncertainty following the extension of the US-China trade truce.
The Q3 GBAI indices rose to multi-year high levels. The “current performance” index for business activities edged up to 54.7 from 53.1 in Q2, while the “expectations” index rose to 55.7 from 52 in Q2, marking a four-year and two-year high respectively.
During the survey period of early August to early September, though the US’ reciprocal tariffs came into effect, the US extended the trade truce with China by another 90 days to November and reached multiple trade agreements with major trading partners.
Amid the constructive dialogue between China and the US, the tariff uncertainty diminished and the overall external environment became relatively stable, supporting a quarter-on-quarter recovery in business sentiment.
Almost all the “current performance” and “expectations” sub-indices rebounded. For “current performance”, six of the eight index components saw quarter-on-quarter improvement, led by a sharp 8pts increase in “new orders” (57.5 in Q3 from 49.5 in Q2) and 4.1pts increase in “prices of finished goods/services” (58.8 in Q3 from 54.7 in Q2).
The positivism in business outlook was more noticeable with all “expectations” sub-indices staying well above the neutral mark. “Production/sales” saw the strongest rebound (+5.3pts) among the eight main sub-indices, followed by “financing scale” (+4.8pts), “fixed asset investment” (+4.2pts) and “profit” (+3.9pts).
Irina Fan, Director of Research, HKTDC, said: “Across GBA cities, nearly all ‘current performance’ and ‘expectations’ rose quarter-on-quarter. In particular, Hong Kong saw the strongest rise in confidence among all cities, with the ‘current performance’ and ‘expectations’ sub-indices edging up a respective 8.3 pts and 7.3 pts to 52.2 and 53.6 in the quarter, underpinned by the continued trade frontloading and robust financial activities.”
Hunter Chan, Economist, Greater China, Standard Chartered, said: “The survey findings are in line with the positivism we have seen across the markets in the third quarter following the extension of US-China trade truce and expectation of continued dialogue between the two countries during the survey period. However, the persisted trade uncertainty may hold back the business sentiment again. With increasing external uncertainties and the competition challenges in the Chinese Mainland, we believe the trend of diversification will continue. It is consistent with the findings that exploring overseas markets (24.5%) remains one of the strategies that GBA corporates are adopting to mitigate the potential risks.”
On the other hand, there has been increasing discussion and concern on “anti-involution”. The survey also examined the impact of excessive competition among businesses and how GBA companies tackle those challenges.
Most of the respondents (63.5%) indicated that they had not been affected by excessive domestic competition, while 3.1% of respondents said they benefited from it. About 29% reported a moderate impact and the remaining 5% indicated a significant impact.
Among those businesses affected by involution, over 70% saw a negative impact on profit and sales, while only around 40% indicated disruptions to hiring and investment.
The companies appear to be adopting multiple strategies to address the challenges from involution, including brand building and marketing (36.3%), cost control / inventory management (35.6%) and providing value-added services (29.7%).
About the GBAI The GBAI is the first forward-looking quarterly survey in the market that looks at the business sentiment and synergistic effects in cities and industries across the GBA. It is compiled based on a survey of more than 1,000 companies in the GBA covering the manufacturing and trading, retail and wholesale, financial services, professional services and innovation and technology sectors. The index enables investors and businesses to better understand the current business climate, gauge future performance prospects and formulate their market strategies for the GBA.
About Standard Chartered We are a leading international banking group, with a presence in 54 of the world’s most dynamic markets. Our purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, and our heritage and values are expressed in our brand promise, here for good.
Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong stock exchanges.
The history of Standard Chartered in Hong Kong dates back to 1859. It is currently one of the Hong Kong SAR’s three note-issuing banks. Standard Chartered incorporated its Hong Kong business on 1 July 2004, and now operates as a licensed bank in Hong Kong under the name of Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Standard Chartered PLC.
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. Follow us on @hktdc and LinkedIn
– Unveiling Hong Kong, Chinese Mainland and Asian business opportunities
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC)will hold its 13th Think Business, Think Hong Kong (TBTHK) mega promotion campaign at Palazzo Mezzanotte in Milan on 27 November. This also marks the event’s return to Italy since 2014.
Amid the rapidly evolving global landscape and driven by new growth markets – such as the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) – as well as opportunities from the Northern Metropolis initiative in Hong Kong, the event offers Italian businesses an opportunity to explore new markets, build partnerships and foster collaboration across Asia.
After successful Paris and Jakarta editions, TBTHK Milan will bring together some 80 representatives from Hong Kong, including government officials, top business leaders, innovators, investors and start-up entrepreneurs, for a day of dialogue, networking and partnership-building with Italian companies keen to expand into Asia.
At the event, Prof Frederick Ma, HKTDC Chairman, representatives from the Hong Kong SAR Government and Italian government will deliver remarks. High-profile speakers from various industries will share their insights at the Plenary Session, including Hans Michael Jebsen, Chairman of The Hong Kong-Europe Business Council and Jebsen Group; Bernard Chan, Chairman of West Kowloon Cultural District Authority; Bonnie Chan, CEO of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited; Claudio de Bedin, Partner of Justin Chow & de Bedin Solicitors LLP; and Alex Zhavoronkov, Founder and CEO of Insilico Medicine.
The programme also includes four thematic sessions, each focusing on a strategic area that reflects shared priorities between Hong Kong and Italy and offers in-depth insights into practical collaboration opportunities:
Finance and Trade: Highlighting global economic trends, Hong Kong’s role as a trade hub, its advanced digital trade initiatives, success stories using new technologies and plans to build trade corridors linking Italy, Hong Kong, and the Chinese MainlandInnovation and Technology: Exploring AI developments, greentech, industrial digitalisation and smart city solutions, featuring case studies and testimonials that showcase promising sectors for Italian businesses seeking to expand in AsiaSupply Chain Service: Highlighting the strategic role of corporate treasury centres in strengthening supply chain functions to support Italian business growth and partnerships within Asia’s dynamic market environmentCreative and Design: Focusing on promoting collaboration between Hong Kong and Italian design, lifestyle and manufacturing excellence across Asian markets as well as fashion, art and luxury – areas in which Italian creativity and Asia’s cultural vibrancy intertwine
Strong Italy-Hong Kong ties Italy is an important trading and investment partner of Hong Kong. In 2024, trade between Italy and Hong Kong amounted to US$8.3 billion. This positions Italy as Hong Kong’s fourth-largest trading partner, export market and third-largest import market in the EU.
Italy was also the third-largest EU investor in Hong Kong at the end of 2023, while Hong Kong was the third most popular 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 200 Italian companies operating in Hong Kong.
The most dynamic sectors include fashion and luxury goods, electronics, food and beverage as well as high-value professional services industries, for which Italian excellence is globally recognised.
The Asian metropolis offers a unique global ecosystem, combining competitive taxation, a robust legal framework based on the common law, strong IP protection and privileged access to the Chinese Mainland and emerging Asia-Pacific markets.
This combination makes Hong Kong an ideal platform for Italian companies eager to expand internationally, diversify and strengthen their presence in one of the world’s most vibrant regions.
A media briefing about TBTHK was held in Milan on 16 October, during which Chris Lo, HKTDC Regional Director for Europe, said: “Hong Kong continues to stand out as a dynamic, international and forward-looking ecosystem. With legal certainty, tax efficiency and direct access to the Chinese Mainland market, the city serves as an ideal bridge for Italian companies seeking to operate in Asia. At the same time, the city represents a major opportunity for Asian companies looking to Europe – and particularly to Italy – as a prime destination for investment, innovation and industrial partnerships.”
Gianluca Mirante, HKTDC Director for Italy, added: “Think Business, Think Hong Kong is much more than an event. The campaign accelerates strategic connections between two complementary economies. Italian companies will find in Hong Kong a reliable partner for innovation, growth and international expansion. The initiative serves as a meeting point for institutions, businesses and investors, fostering collaboration and best practices in key areas, such as innovation, finance and sustainable development. It is a concrete opportunity to strengthen ties and open new avenues of cooperation between Italy and Hong Kong.”
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.
– Over 660 global exhibitors to showcase innovation, elderly care, design and sustainability
– The 33rd Hong Kong International Optical Fair will showcase over 660 exhibitors from 19 countries and regions. Highlights will include the debut of the ASEAN Pavilion and Zhejiang Pavilion. For the first time, exhibitors from Indonesia, Russia and Vietnam will further expand the Fair’s international network – The Hong Kong International Optometric Symposium will gather experts from Hong Kong, Australia, Singapore and the United Kingdom to share the latest developments in senior vision care – The 25th Hong Kong Eyewear Design Competition — themed “Blending Tradition and Technology” — will display winning and shortlisted entries onsite
Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and co-organised by the Hong Kong Optical Manufacturers Association, the 33rd Hong Kong International Optical Fair will be held from 5 to 7 November 2025 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The fair will bring together more than 660 exhibitors from 19 countries and regions, and present a one-stop showcase of innovative and high-tech eyewear designs and products.
Jenny Koo, Acting Executive Director of the HKTDC, said: “This year’s Hong Kong International Optical Fair, themed ‘Bright Eyes – New Horizons’, showcases a wide array of products encompassing smart technology, healthcare, senior-oriented designs and sustainable elements. It demonstrates breakthroughs in function and aesthetics, reflecting global eyewear market trends and reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as an international trading hub.”
Industry development drives new opportunities Hong Kong’s total exports of spectacles, lenses and frames reached HK$13.7 billion in the first eight months of 2025. The European Union, the United States, and Chinese Mainland are Hong Kong’s top three export markets respectively, with exports to the mainland surging 23% year-on-year. Despite intense global competition, Hong Kong’s eyewear industry continues to maintain its strengths in design, technology and quality.
This year’s fair brings together exhibitors from around the world, including first-time participants from Indonesia, Russia and Vietnam, alongside representatives from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States across Europe and the Americas; and Japan, Korea, Singapore and Thailand within Asia. The fair will also feature exhibitors from Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macao. Ten group pavilions — including the Hong Kong Optical Manufacturers Association (HKOMA), Chinese Mainland (with delegations from Danyang, Zhejiang and Yingtan), Taiwan, Japan and Korea, as well as “Visionaries of Style” showcasing creative and trendy designs — will showcase international brands and leading local enterprises to demonstrate optical fashions and manufacturing innovation.
The ASEAN Pavilion will make its debut this year, with an Indonesian exhibitor presenting Halal-certified eyewear products, demonstrating the industry’s awareness of cultural sensitivity and market diversity. The signature “Brand Name Gallery” will feature over 200 international brands which encompass designer eyewear, trendsetting collections and high-technology eyewear and provide buyers with a one-stop sourcing platform.
Events to showcase industry expertise and creativity A series of seminars, eyewear parades and other events will highlight the creative thinking and technological achievements of the optical industry. The 23rdHong Kong International Optometric Symposium— themed “Age Well, See Well: Redefining Eye Care for the Golden Age” organised by the HKTDC and co-organised by The Hong Kong Optometric Association and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University will be held on 6 November. Sessions will focus on vision care for the ageing community and feature six experts and academics from Hong Kong, Australia, Singapore and the United Kingdom. They will share insights on topics such as age-related visual challenges, diabetic retinopathy, and optometric care for patients with cognitive impairment, and provide attendees with international perspectives and the latest clinical research trends. 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 25thHong Kong Eyewear Design Competition, co-organised by HKTDC and the Hong Kong Optical Manufacturers Association, will present the theme “Blending Tradition and Technology”. It is aimed at fostering local design and manufacturing innovation and will include an Open Group as well as a Student Group. The award presentation will be held on 5 November, and shortlisted entries will be exhibited onsite at Brand Name Gallery (BNG) Rendezvous, Grand Hall during the fair, giving visitors an opportunity to appreciate the creativity and flair of Hong Kong eyewear design.
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.
Featured Products As global markets evolve and technology advances, eyewear design moves towards premium quality, multifunctionality and personalisation. This year’s exhibitors will showcase a wealth of innovative products that integrate scientific research, design excellence and sustainability concepts, reflecting four key market trends: smart technology, eye health, functionality & design, and sustainability. These innovative offerings illustrate how the optical industry harnesses creativity to meet the needs of a new era. Selected featured products include:
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.
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