Tag: hktdc

Innovation at the forefront of Hong Kong’s 13th Business of IP Asia Forum and 15th Entrepreneur Day

  • Unlocking opportunities in the Greater Bay Area and beyond

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government are jointly organising the 13th Business of IP Asia Forum (BIP Asia Forum). The 15th Entrepreneur Day (E-Day) will also be hosted by the HKTDC. These two events will be held concurrently from 7 to 8 December at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSAR Government) and Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), will hold the 13th Business of IP Asia Forum (BIP Asia Forum) from 7 December to 8 December.

The mix of forums, exhibitions, competitions, workshops and business matching at these events provide start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) infinite opportunities to network, engage in dialogue and find ways to collaborate for success.

By utilising HKTDC’s exhibition and business matching services to find potential business partners or investors, the events promote IP commercialisation, facilitate industry-academia collaboration and showcase the advances in scientific research in Hong Kong.

HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Patrick Lau said, “The BIP Asia Forum and Entrepreneur Day are held concurrently to provide a holistic presentation of the journey from ideation and IP commercialisation to starting your business and scaling up. The two events have resumed as fully physical events this year, bringing together over 90 industry leaders and more than 350 exhibitors from IP, innovation and technology (I&T), start-ups and sustainability. The events promote cross-industry and cross-sector exchanges, driving business opportunities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).  

He added: “By facilitating interactions and exchanges between local companies, global industry leaders and internationally renowned speakers, we aim to equip event participants with a deeper understanding in diverse areas, ranging from the latest in start-up trends and sustainable development to new IP applications and opportunities.”

Business of IP Asia Forum: Steering New Economic GrowthThemed “IP & Innovation: Steering New Economic Growth”, the Forum brings together IP industry players and business leaders from around the world to discuss the latest IP developments and explore collaboration opportunities.

Dr Peter K N Lam, Chairman of the HKTDC; Michael Wong, Deputy Financial Secretary, HKSAR; Dr Lu Pengqi, Deputy Commissioner, China National Intellectual Property Organization; and Daren Tang, Director General, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), will deliver remarks at the opening session.

Algernon Yau, HKSAR Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, opens the Forum’s first session, the Policy Dialogue, with a welcome address. International IP policymakers discuss the importance of IP and innovation in stimulating worldwide economic growth in a conversation with Winnie Tam, Senior Counsel of Des Voeux Chambers. The speakers include Mr Tang; Rowel S. Barba, Chair of the Intellectual Property Rights Experts Group of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC); Santisouk Phounesavath, Chairman of the ASEAN Working Group on Intellectual Property Cooperation; and Dr. M. Zeki Durak, President of the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office.

For the Plenary Session, Mayeul Dastugue, Legal Director of Global IP Enforcement of Christian Louboutin; Laurence Morel-Chevillet, IP and Brand Protection Director of Bulgari S.p.A; and Mayank Vaid, Intellectual Property Director of Asia Pacific & China (Civil) of Louis Vuitton, share their brand strategy successes in the new economic landscape and discuss how the use of technology can reinvent brands.

At the Global Tech Summit, global tech leaders, including Olivier Klein, Asia Pacific Chief Technologist of Amazon Web Services; Fred Sheu, National Technology Officer of Microsoft Hong Kong; and Dr Ginny Wong, Data Scientist of NVIDIA AI Technology Center Hong Kong,  deep dive into the latest trends of generative AI applications and their impact on IP.

The ASEAN Session, organised by the ASEAN Secretariat and the HKSAR Intellectual Property Department in collaboration with WIPO, features IP representatives from government and business in ASEAN and Hong Kong as well as experts, licensing agents and international brand owners, including MCM Group, S2O Factory, B.Duck Semk, who share their insights on ways to maximise the value of trademarks in today’s rapidly changing global business environment.

The two-day forum also features talks on a variety of topics, including IP collaboration and competition in the biomedical Industry in the GBA, and IP and dispute resolution in the age of AI, digital trade, IP protection and more. Additionally, there will be presentations by companies showcasing their latest innovations.

The IP & Innovation Market returns under the theme of Clean Tech, showcasing over 30 innovative projects from tertiary institutions, R&D centres and start-ups focused on recycling, sustainable energy, green materials, waste management and more to strengthen IP commercialisation and facilitate collaboration.

Entrepreneur Day: Latest Trends in Innovation and Technology With the theme Building Resilience, Boosting Collaboration, some 30 industry leaders from around the world share their insights on the latest developments and trends in the start-up ecosystem at E-Day.

With the theme Building Resilience, Boosting Collaboration, some 30 industry leaders from around the world share their insights on the latest developments and trends in the start-up ecosystem at E-Day.

Showcasing some 300 start-ups, projects and support services, the exhibition area offers an opportunity for networking and business matching. An Australian delegation, led by Investment NSW, participate in E-Day for the first time, showcasing nine start-ups in health tech, environmental protection tech and smart city.

The Asia Exhibition of Innovations and Inventions Hong Kong, co-organised by The Hong Kong Exporters’ Association and Palexpo in Geneva and featuring over 110 innovations from Asia at E-Day, showcases global breakthrough inventions and technological solutions.

This year’s E-Day sees an increased participation of incubators from the GBA. The HKSAR Home and Youth Affairs Bureau invited 50 local start-ups under the Funding Scheme for Youth Entrepreneurship in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to join the event. The scheme supports young entrepreneurs to establish their business in the GBA.

The seminars encompass four major series, including the Inspirational Masterclass Series, Emerging Trends for Tech and Innovation Series, Fuelling the Future Series and Market Exploration Series. On the first day, the conference will kick off with T-Chat featuring Serge Conesa, Founder and CEO of Swiss start-up Immersion4, which received the Most Innovative Use of ICT Award from the UN International Telecommunications Union (ITU) in 2019. At this seminar, he shares his entrepreneurial journey and explores the market potential of greentech in Europe and the Middle East.

At another session on the future of work on the second day, Daryl Lau, Sales Director of JobsDB Hong Kong; Leo Siu, Head of HRMS of Computer And Technologies Holdings Limited and Emrys Lam, Founder of HR Plus Limited, shed light on emerging trends reshaping the workplace and the ways in which these trends and new technologies influence talent acquisition and retention strategies.

On the same day, a seminar co-organised with GoGBA Business Support Centre in Futian features Zhang Yun, Minister of Vitality Promotion Department of the Futian District Investment Promotion and Enterprise Service Center in Shenzhen; and Chen Shan, President of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Innovation and Entrepreneurship Incubation Base in Guangdong. They highlight the latest policies and support services for start-ups, while Aldous Ng, CEO of CU Coding Limited, and Simon Cheung, Associate Director of BIM Limited, share their journey of establishing a presence in the GBA.

Last year, the HKTDC launched Start-up Express: International Edition to attract international start-ups to operate in Hong Kong and expand their business in the region. Following last year’s inaugural success, the event returns during E-Day with the support of 15 global partners from around the world, stretching from Mainland China to the wider Asia-Pacific region and Australia to Europe and the USA. On the first day of E-Day, this year’s seven out of 10 global winners join us in person.

As part of Start-up Express, the HKTDC provides comprehensive support to the top 30 start-ups through the Start in Hong Kong Programme. The support encompasses marketing, technical, business setup and peer support as well as mentorship to assist start-ups in accessing the markets of Hong Kong and the wider GBA. 

InnoClub, a one-stop platform jointly developed by the HKTDC and Hang Seng Bank, is organising the inaugural InnoClub Award Presentation Ceremony on the second day of E-Day to recognise the exceptional achievements of InnoClub members in I&T. The three winners then engage in conversation on their entrepreneurial journey, which is followed by a networking reception.

Exhibition and Forum WebsiteBusiness of IP Asia Forum website: https://bipasia.hktdc.com/en/Entrepreneur Day: https://www.hktdc.com/event/eday/enStart-up Express International:https://portal.hktdc.com/startupexpress/en/s/start-up-express-international

Media Registration

Media representatives can complete the following form by December 7(Thursday) and email to hktdc@hkstrategies.com for pre-registration to receive a confirmation email for browsing Exhibition and Forum Website.

Members of the media wishing to interview speakers should email interview requests and proposed questions to hktdc@hkstrategies.com by 28 November.

Download Photos: https://bit.ly/3SN3sjD

Media enquiriesPlease contact Hill & Knowlton:Grace Chiu, Tel: (852) 6432 3549, Email: grace.chiu@hillandknowlton.comRachel Zhu, Tel: (852) 6816 5846, Email: rachel.zhu@hillandknowlton.com

HKTDC Communications & Public Affairs Department:Jane Cheung, Tel: (852) 2584 4137, Email: jane.mh.cheung@hktdc.orgJanet Chan, Tel: (852) 2584 4369, Email: janet.ch.chan@hktdc.org

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

About HKTDCThe Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong’s trade. With 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 Twitter @hktdc and LinkedIn

AI innovations impress Hong Kong International Optometric Symposium audience

  • PolyU’s technology helps Hong Kong’s grassroots citizens

Widespread ChatGPT use and remote medical consultations have taken artificial intelligence (AI) and telemedicine into the mainstream, including treatment for vision problems. At the 21st Hong Kong International Optometric Symposium this year, professionals from Mainland China, the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom and Hong Kong, discussed AI and tele-optometry developments. They examined how technology could “open the eyes” of the visually impaired and reduce staffing pressure on primary healthcare. They also shared thoughts on whether technological advancements would endanger employment prospects for optometrists.

“This is an exciting time, as many technologies suited for the visually impaired can now be accessed through apps,” said Dr Patrick D. Yoshinaga of the Marshall B. Ketchum University in the United States. Several AI-powered smartphone apps could identify objects after being trained through exposure to a large set of images. Users simply needed to point their smartphone camera at any object or text and listen to an audio narration describing it. Using Microsoft’s Seeing AI as an example, Dr Yoshinaga pointed out that, six years ago, users would have had to wait several seconds for the app to respond after clicking on the screen, but no longer! He recalled that a blind working mother could use the app to read documents and find meeting locations at work, and help her daughter choose matching colours at home. She could even turn off the lights in her daughter’s room after learning how bright the room was.

Dr Patrick D. Yoshinaga of the Marshall B. Ketchum University in the United States warned against the black-box effect during AI algorithm development, referring to people’s inability to understand the AI algorithm or its decision-making process.

Visually impaired people can now wear AI glasses equipped with the GPT-4 language model and converse with them, reading menu contents for example. A user could even ask: “What types of vegetarian options are available?” and GPT-4 would summarise relevant dishes and respond conversationally. When the audience learnt that AI apps could serve as “eyes” for the visually impaired, some gasped in amazement and photographed presentation slides to capture the moment.

PolyU employs AI for diagnosis and brings Australian experience to Hong KongGlobally, societies are contending with ageing populations and rises in diabetes cases. With healthcare providers in high demand, AI can offer relief. Professor Mingguang He of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University received a grant from the Australian government some years ago. He collaborated with universities in Hong Kong and healthcare technology companies to investigate AI use in eye disease diagnosis, as well as how this technology could be implemented in the community. His research in 2018 found that AI had a 90% or higher accuracy rate in detecting common eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration. They subsequently installed a simple AI system in local GP clinics. Following an eye examination, fundus images were automatically transferred to the AI system for analysis, and the system could produce a report in two to three minutes.

Discussing whether AI vision test failure may pose a liability risk for optometrists, Prof Mingguang He of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University noted that some insurance companies in the United States and Australia had already included coverage for AI errors.

“Previously, Australians were required to visit a clinic multiple times for diagnosis and report collection. That can now be accomplished in a single visit.” Prof He said they designed the system to work without requiring an internet connection, after considering resources available at clinics. They also created a simplified version of the device for self-administered testing which could be bought for as little as HK$10,000. Prof He planned to gradually apply his Australian experience to Hong Kong’s Smart Clinic Project, which is expected to benefit more than 200,000 grassroots citizens.

Eye-health software fills gaps in UK eye-care servicesAnother example of AI use came from Professor Benny Chung-ying Zee of The Chinese University of Hong Kong Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care. He explained that AI analysis of retinal images allowed prediction of a patient’s risk of stroke and cognitive impairment, allowing early intervention to improve lifestyle habits. This approach could also reduce the long-term burden that vision examinations would place on the healthcare system.

Dr Priya Morjaria of Peak Vision, a social enterprise in the United Kingdom that specialises in eye care, said 90% of vision-loss cases could be avoided if individuals received timely examination and assistance. Her social enterprise provided eye health screening software to help countries bridge eye-care service gaps. The system begins with a screening for eye conditions, followed by case triage, eyeglass prescriptions and even surgical intervention. All of this is documented in the system, lowering the possibility of patients in need of care not being followed up. She noted that the proportion of Pakistani men participating in her social enterprise’s programmes had increased from 19% to 45%, approaching the ideal target of 50%.

Dr Priya Morjaria’s social enterprise, Peak Vision, designs software for remote eye examinations, collecting just the data needed.

Many audience members were optometry students concerned about how AI would affect employment prospects and how they could prepare themselves before entering the field. Prof He believed AI would not replace optometrists but help them work more efficiently. Eye examination and reporting used to take three days to complete but with AI assistance, these tasks took just 30 minutes. Dr Morjaria added: “AI will not take away your job. Patients always need to see a person. They always want to find a clinician to make a final decision.” Nevertheless, she reminded students to be aware of the evidence underlying AI decisions and advised them not to accept the finding for what it is, but to learn about and understand AI in order to interpret the evidence presented.

Photo download: https://bit.ly/47ph7Bi

WebsitesHong Kong International Optical Fair: https://www.hktdc.com/event/hkopticalfair/en  Intelligence Hub: https://www.hktdc.com/event/hkopticalfair/en/intelligence-hub

Media enquiriesPlease contact the HKTDC’s Communication and Public Affairs Department:Frankie Leung, Tel: (852) 2584 4298, Email: frankie.cy.leung@hktdc.orgPhyllis Tsang, Tel: (852) 2584 4288, Email: phyllis.km.tsang@hktdc.org

To view press releases in Chinese, please visit http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/tc

About HKTDCThe Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong’s trade. With 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 Twitter @hktdc and LinkedIn

HKTDC Hong Kong International Optical Fair draws over 12,000 buyers

  • Smart and sustainable eyewear were key trends in the event, which generated healthy deal flow

Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and co-organised by the Hong Kong Optical Manufacturers Association (HKOMA), the 31st HKTDC Hong Kong International Optical Fair concluded successfully today. The three-day fair (8 to 10 November) proved popular, attracting more than 12,000 buyers from 92 countries and regions to source the latest eyewear products and designs.

The 31st HKTDC Hong Kong International Optical Fair featured 700 exhibitors from 11 countries and regions, attracting more than 12,000 buyers to visit in person.

Sophia Chong, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC, said: “This year’s Optical Fair is the first optical fair to be held physically since Hong Kong fully reopened. We are pleased to see vibrant trading on the fairground and to welcome buyers who have travelled from all over the world to Hong Kong for in-person sourcing. There has been a significant increase in attendance from ASEAN markets, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Buyer numbers from India, Macao and Mainland China also rose. This demonstrates Hong Kong’s enduring status as an international trade fair capital.”

The 21st Hong Kong International Optometric Symposium, organised by the HKTDC in collaboration with the Hong Kong Optometric Association and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, was themed Empowering Community Eye Care through Artificial Intelligence and Telemedicine in Optometry. Dr Simon Tang (third from right), Director of Cluster Services of the Hospital Authority, delivered the opening remarks.

Smart and sustainable eyewear in focus
Technology is evolving rapidly, with R&D creating smart technologies that have permeated all aspects of daily life. Smart glasses have garnered increased attention and undergone active development in recent years as eyewear is an integral part of life as well as fashion. The Smart Eyewear zone debuted this year, spotlighting a diverse range of eyewear and products using innovative technologies. Hong Kong eyewear brand Solos Technology Limited, which specialises in smart-technology development, demonstrated AirGo™ 3 AI smart glasses that combine ChatGPT and wearable tech. The brand’s General Manager Kenny Cheung said the firm had been busy introducing smart eyewear technology to new buyers, most of whom came from Asia and Europe. “We have found optical manufacturers from Hong Kong and Mainland China.”

The Brand Name Gallery, a focal point of the Optical Fair, showcased 200 renowned international brands.

The optical industry has also embraced environmental protection, sustainable development and recycled material use. These factors represent long-term industry goals and serve as driving forces behind the optical industry’s development. Debut Hong Kong exhibitor Wingram Industrial Company Limited is dedicated to developing eco-friendly materials. It launched BioAcetate S70 – a biobased and biodegradable material used to produce sustainable eyewear products. The company’s Head of Operations May Ng said: “We have received positive feedback from eyewear manufacturers and brand owners coming from different places such as Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Mainland China, Thailand and Mauritius. Five to six new buyers will place orders for our BioAcetate S70 material after the fair.”

The fair also showcased eyewear for children, accessories and optometric instruments. The atmosphere for on-site negotiations was exuberant. Vista Import from Brazil visited the fair for the seventh year. Company Director Roberto Basile Neto said he had identified a number of suppliers in Hong Kong and Mainland China through Click2Match – the AI-backed business-matching platform – and planned to buy 20,000 pairs of sports eyewear, 20,000 pairs of protective children’s sports eyewear and 10,000 pairs of children’s glasses, all from new suppliers. He also said Click2Match helped him record more supplier information so he could continue to negotiate with them after the fair.

Van Dut Le, Managing Director of An Khang Phuc Co., Ltd, an eyewear distributor from Vietnam, said: “We also contacted suppliers in Hong Kong and Korea through business matching service, and placed orders worth more than US$130,000 for lens edge grinding machines, and 20,000 pairs of contact lenses.”

For more comments from exhibitors and buyers, please visit the following website: https://www.hktdc.com/event/hkopticalfair/en/success-stories

Hong Kong International Optometric Symposium addresses industry concerns

During the fair, the 21st Hong Kong International Optometric Symposium was held, themed Empowering Community Eye Care through Artificial Intelligence and Telemedicine in Optometry. Industry representatives from around the world discussed topics such as the application of AI in optometry and impact of telemedicine in healthcare.

Fair website: https://www.hktdc.com/event/hkopticalfair/en  
21st Hong Kong International Optometric Symposium: https://www.hktdc.com/event/hkopticalfair/en/the-21st-hong-kong-international-optometric-symposium

Photo download: https://bit.ly/3srpwp6

Media enquiries Please contact the HKTDC’s Communication and Public Affairs Department:
Frankie Leung, Tel: (852) 2584 4298, Email: frankie.cy.leung@hktdc.org
Phyllis Tsang, Tel: (852) 2584 4288, Email: phyllis.km.tsang@hktdc.org

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 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 Twitter @hktdc and LinkedIn

HKTDC Hong Kong International Optical Fair opens today

  • Eyewear trends are in focus while industry elites will gather at the Optometric Symposium

Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and co-organised by the Hong Kong Optical Manufacturers Association (HKOMA), the 31st edition of the HKTDC Hong Kong International Optical Fair returns, bringing together 700 exhibitors from 11 countries and regions. The physical exhibition will run at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) for three days from today (8 to 10 November). Under the EXHIBITION+ integrated mode, the online exhibition will continue until 17 November, providing a global business platform for the optical industry.

The 31st edition of the HKTDC Hong Kong International Optical Fair opened today. 700 exhibitors from 11 countries and regions display the latest trendy designs and comprehensive eyewear products.

HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Sophia Chong said: “The total export value of Hong Kong’s spectacles, lenses and spectacle frames was valued at HK$19.1 billion (US$2.44 billion) in 2022 and Hong Kong is a major production and export location for the global eyewear industry. The total export value in the first nine months of this year exceeded HK$14.8 billion (US$1.9 billion), representing a 3% increase compared with the same period last year.”

HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Sophia Chong said: “The Hong Kong International Optical Fair has always been committed to providing a multi-faceted, one-stop sourcing platform for exhibitors and buyers and the HKTDC expected the industry to create business opportunities through both the physical exhibition and online platform.”

She noted that “E-commerce became the focus of attention during the COVID outbreak. Optical chain stores, brands and designers have turned their attention to e-commerce and social media marketing to develop local and overseas markets.” The online-to-offline (O2O) marketing model continued to flourish even after the outbreak subsided. The Hong Kong International Optical Fair has always been committed to providing a multi-faceted, one-stop sourcing platform for exhibitors and buyers and the HKTDC expected the industry to create business opportunities through both the physical exhibition and online platform.

The Brand Name Gallery brings together more than 200 internationally renowned brands, including Anna Sui, which showcases its sunglasses series.

Smart eyewear zone debuts to display new technology
This year’s Optical Fair features a number of regional pavilions, including Mainland China, Taiwan, Italy, Japan and Korea, as well as the Visionaries of Style and HKOMA Pavilion; along with pavilions from cities in Mainland China, including Yingtan (Jiangxi), Danyang (Jiangsu), Shenzhen (Guangdong) and Chongqing. Smart technology applications are impacting all industries and the eyewear industry is no exception. The Smart Eyewear zone debuts to focus on new eyewear-related technologies and services. Hong Kong exhibitor Solos Technology Limited (Booth: GH-B38) demonstrates AirGo™ 3 smart eyewear that combines ChatGPT and wearable technology. In the Frames, Lenses and Parts zone, exhibitor South China Optical Industries Co. (Booth: 1E-A08) brings spectacle frames made of highly elastic memory metal. Other thematic zones will feature Sports and Professional Eyewear, Shop Fittings and Equipment, Contact Lenses, Diagnostic Instruments, Eyewear Accessories, Optometric Instruments, Designer Café and more.

Showcase for internationally renowned brands
The Brand Name Gallery, the focal point of the fair, features 200 world-renowned brands this year, including Mainland China’s A.Society, Hong Kong’s Absolute Vintage Eyewear, bTd, Taiwan’s CLASSICO, PARIM, agnès b and MINIMA from France; Anna Sui, Jill Stuart, New Balance and VOY from the United States; Ted Baker and Vivienne Westwood from the United Kingdom, Germany’s STEPPER, Japan’s Masaki Matsushima, Matsuda, MIZ Gold and TiDOU, Korea’s GENSDUMONDE, PLUME PEOPLE LUV ME, , and more.

Featured eyewear includes:

  • Four new eyewear models from Italian eyewear brand SPECTAFUL, which combine the brand’s iconic angular design with vibrant colours (Booth: GH-C32)
  • Italian eyewear brand GIANNINI launches stylish sunglasses with a unique frame design that increases the brightness and two-colour effect of the glasses (Booth: GH-C33)
  • Luxembourg luxury craft eyewear brand: Gold & Wood’s 18K solid gold eyewear (Booth: GH-C12)
  • Korean Pavilion exhibitors brought the brand Rayfog’s semi-permanent high-strength anti-fog coating optical lenses (Booth: 1C-F15)
  • Mainland China brand A. Society launched unisex sunglasses with local artist Lousy (Booth: GH-A08)
  • Local eyewear brand BIG HORN won the 2023 London Design Awards for its sunglass series (Booth: 1D-G02)

The fair will feature several Brand Name Gallery eyewear parades where professional models present eyewear collections from trendsetting brands. Finalists and winners in the 23rd Hong Kong Eyewear Design Competition will be displayed in Hall 1D, giving a glimpse of the creativity and style of Hong Kong’s new eyewear designers. The Award Presentation Ceremony will be held today (8 November) in the afternoon, when competition results will be announced and prizes awarded.

Global industry representatives attend Optometric Symposium
The 21st Hong Kong International Optometric Symposium will be held tomorrow (9 November), themed Empowering Community Eye Care through Artificial Intelligence and Telemedicine in Optometry. Dr Simon Tang, Director of Cluster Services of the Hospital Authority, will deliver the opening speech. Industry experts from around the world, including Dr Kate Taylor from Australia, Prof Mingguang He and Prof Benny Zee from Hong Kong, Elvis Wang from Mainland China, Dr Priya Morjaria from the United Kingdom and Dr Patrick D Yoshinaga from the United States, will discuss Artificial Intelligence (AI) and teletherapy and how these can be applied to community eye care. The symposium is a pre-approved CPD Programme recognised by the Optometrists Board, Hong Kong. Attendees will be given Certificate of Attendance for a maximum 6 CPD hours.

Other sessions include the seminar Market Talk: Road Ahead for Eyewear Industry, where industry experts will forecast fashion trends and discuss sustainability elements in the United States eyewear sector. Speakers will also explore the latest market prospects and potential of smart glasses and other issues. At the seminar Revolutionising Eyewear Design: Exploring 3D Technologies, Innovations and Material Trends, industry experts will give a detailed breakdown of the latest trends in eyewear 3D printing technology, innovative design concepts and materials.

Latest Development of Standardization for Optometry in Mainland China will be held the day after tomorrow (10 November). Experts will explain the latest technical specifications and testing guidelines for myopia prevention and control glasses, lenses, smart glasses and other optometry products for teenagers in Mainland China, allowing industry insiders to grasp developments in the optometry product market.

Photo download: https://bit.ly/47lbu7b

Media enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC’s Communication and Public Affairs Department:
Frankie Leung, Tel: (852) 2584 4298, Email: frankie.cy.leung@hktdc.org
Phyllis Tsang, Tel: (852) 2584 4288, Email: phyllis.km.tsang@hktdc.org

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 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 Twitter @hktdc and LinkedIn

Flagship logistics and supply chain event – Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation Conference (ALMAC) returns

  • Attendees will develop a new paradigm for Future-proofing Supply Chains: Diversification, Decarbonisation, Digitalisation

The Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation Conference (ALMAC) 2023, the annual flagship event for logistics and supply chain industry, jointly organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), returns to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on 21 and 22 November. In his latest Policy Address, HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee proposed measures to strengthen Hong Kong’s position as an international maritime centre and aviation hub.

Introducing highlights of the 13th Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation Conference (ALMAC) at media briefing are the Hon Frankie YICK Chi-ming, GBS, JP, Chairman of HKTDC Logistics Services Advisory Committee and Member of Legislative Council (Functional Constituency – Transport) (R) and Dr Patrick Lau, Deputy Executive Director of HKTDC

This year’s conference, themed Future-proofing Supply Chains: Diversification · Decarbonisation · Digitalisation, will focus on adopting diverse strategies to address global trade changes and uncertainties, promoting carbon reduction, facilitating sustainable development and globally showcasing Hong Kong’s advantages. Digitalisation will also emerge as a key supply chain management trend and industry experts will share insights on accelerating business development through digital transformation.

Prominent industry leaders will gather at ALMAC, with representatives from industry giants such as CMA CGM, Dell, DHL, FedEx, UPS and JD Logistics.  They will share insights on five key thematic areas – 1) global trade outlook and supply chain trends, 2) supply chain diversification, 3) connectivity and collaboration driving trade development, 4) sustainability, and 5) innovation and technology.

Dr Patrick Lau, Deputy Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), said: “With the Government’s new Policy Address announcing a number of initiatives to promote Hong Kong’s logistics industry by sea, land and air, and the launch of the Action Plan on Modern Logistics Development, the ALMAC is a timely event to help the industry explore new opportunities and develop co-operation.  This year’s conference will be attended by a strong line-up of invited guests.  Fu Xuyin, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Transport of the People’s Republic of China, will deliver a keynote address at the conference on the first day (21 November).  Many international giants in the logistics, shipping and air freight industries will discuss the latest hot topics and share their insights with the industry. Three new workshops will be staged, where industry practitioners will share practical tips on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), E-Commerce and Youth Empowerment to promote comprehensive development of the logistics industry.”

The Government’s newly released Action Plan on Modern Logistics Development outlines five major directions for Hong Kong’s logistics industry development – intelligence, modernisation, greening and sustainability, internationalisation and facilitation – with a view to realising long-term development of the industry and enhancing its competitiveness, helping companies grasp opportunities and enhance competitiveness and sustainable development.

Echoing the ALMAC 2023 theme, conference sessions will focus on business opportunities and development in these focal areas.

Driving business growth and strengthening regional collaboration
At the plenary session – Driving Global Economic Growth through Supply Chain Transformation – Rob McIntosh, Senior Vice President, Global Fulfillment, Logistics & Trade, Dell Technologies; Jeremy Goldstrich, Vice President of North Pacific Operations at FedEx; Gladis Araujo, Former Vice President of Global Supply Chain Strategy at Mattel and Business Partner & Chief Supply Chain Officer of Prodensa Group, and Phil Showering, Chief Supply Chain Officer at Ghassan Aboud Group and Chief Executive Officer at Gallega Global Logistics will discuss challenges and potential of global supply chains and how businesses can effectively drive growth and promote sustainable development through supply chain transformation and innovation in the current economic environment.

In the first Power Dialogue, Adeline Franger Chouraqui, CEO, CMA CGM Greater China; Thomas Kowitzki, Vice President, Global Head of China Rail, DHL Global Forwarding Vishal Sharma, CEO, Greater China, DB Schenker and Assel Zhanassova, Member of the Board of Directors, CEO, Kazpost will examine the strategies on leveraging regional trade and supply chain integration to seize the regional opportunities. The panelists will discuss the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade bloc, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), development of rail logistics and multimodal connectivity, and how to enhance logistics industry collaboration and connectivity in the region.

Promoting green logistics and carbon reduction strategies
Decarbonisation is a hot market topic and sustainable development is crucial for businesses to respond to global concerns and ensure long-term operational success.  In the Power Dialogue on the second day, Tim Edmunds, Partner for Sustainability Strategy & Transformation, PwC; Andrew Clennett, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Hiringa Energy; David Benattar, Sustainability Lead, The Warehouse Group Limited; Peter Harris, Vice President, International Sustainability, UPS and Serena Mak, Executive Director, Sustainable Finance, Institutional Banking Group, DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Limited will explore challenges and opportunities in reducing supply chain carbon emissions, application of new energy and promoting a circular economy.

Digitalisation and technologies drive smart logistics development
Technological advances are rapidly transforming the logistics industry, fundamentally changing how businesses deploy logistics resources to digitally transform enterprises.  In the Logtech Forum, international technology company representatives such as Andrés de León, Chief Executive Officer, HyperloopTT; Tim Martin, Chief Revenue Officer, Dronamics; Kyongsoo Noh, Chief Operating Officer, Seadronix Corp; and Nathan Zeng, CFA, Senior Director of Global Technology Services, Hai Robotics will discuss revolutionary solutions and cutting-edge technologies driving the development of modern logistics and intelligent supply chains.  On the other hand, Arun Nandi, Head of Data & Analytics, Unilever, will share insights on applying generative AI to business processes and supply chain management, including demand forecasting, production, inventory management, warehouse operations and transport optimisation.  Understanding the potential of generative AI and how it can revolutionise modern supply chains will enable businesses to establish more efficient and flexible networks.

Shippers are important logistics industry stakeholders. Last year, shippers accounted for 35% of ALMAC participants and they are well-known brands from various industries such as fashion, sports, electronics, e-commerce and retail sectors. This year’s Shippers’ Forum will focus on E-commerce Logistics and Fulfillment. Lai Tze Siung, Chief Logistics Officer, Pomelo Fashion and MA Wei, General Manager of JD Logistics Express Business Hong Kong will discuss best practices in e-commerce logistics and distribution, including warehouse optimisation, last-mile delivery, supply chain traceability and visibility. These insights will help businesses streamline operations and maintain competitiveness in the sector.

Three new workshops provide practical tips and strategies
Three workshops will debut this year, providing practical tips and strategies for participants, covering regulatory developments, investment practices and practical techniques for measuring and reporting ESG and circular economy indicators; content strategies, marketing tactics, product distribution, user experience and customer service strategies in e-commerce; and youth empowerment to enhance relevant skills crucial for the industry.

ALMAC will also feature about 100 exhibitors, including the inaugural Logtech Salon showcasing robots, AI and data systems.  This exhibition aims to provide insights into technological developments and applications.

The forums will gather a diverse group of renowned speakers, including (listed in alphabetical order by surname).

Ms Gladis Araujo, Former Supply Chain Strategy Vice President, Mattel Inc. and Business Partner & Chief Supply Chain Officer, Prodensa GroupMs Yamby Lun, Director, East Asia Region, Ocean Network Express (East Asia) Ltd.
Mr Keith Chan, Chief Executive Officer, Tahuhu LimitedMs Serena Mak, Executive Director, Sustainable Finance, Institutional Banking Group, DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Limited
Mr Tim Edmunds, Partner for Sustainability Strategy & Transformation, PwCMr Tim Martin, Chief Revenue Officer, Dronamics
Ms Adeline Franger Chouraqui, CEO, CMA CGM Greater ChinaMr Rob McIntosh, Senior Vice President, Global Fulfillment, Logistics & Trade, Dell Technologies
Mr Jeremy Goldstrich, Vice President of North Pacific, FedEx ExpressMr Arun Nandi, Head of Data & Analytics, Unilever
Mr Peter Harris, Vice President, International Sustainability, UPSMr Dennis Ngai, Vice President, Sustainable Finance, Institutional Banking Group, DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Limited
Ms Heidi Ho, Principal Consultant, GS1 Hong KongMr Kyongsoo Noh, Chief Operating Officer Seadronix Corp.
Mr Peter Hui, Vice Chairman, Textiles CouncilMr Vishal Sharma, CEO, Greater China, DB Schenker
Mr Thomas Kowitzki, Vice President, Global Head of China Rail, DHL Global ForwardingMr Chandler So, Airfreight Director, North Asia Sub-region, GEODIS
Mr Lai Tze Siung, Chief Logistic Officer, Pomelo FashionDr Mark Yong, Managing Director (Asia-Pacific), Blume Global
Mr Andy Law, Partner, Climate & Sustainability, PwCMr Nathan Zeng, CFA, Senior Director of Global Technology Services, Hai Robotics
Mr Andrés de León, Chief Executive Officer, HyperloopTTMr Assel Zhanassova, Member of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, KazPost JSC
Mr Willy Lin, Chairman, The Hong Kong Shippers’ Council 

Members of the media wishing to interview speakers can email interview requests to molisalau@raconteur.hk or molisalau@raconteur.hk by 17 November 2023.  For the latest programme and speaker list, please visit: https://www.almac.hk/main/en/. 

Photo download: https://bit.ly/40n0R1D

Media Enquiries
Please contact Impact Communications Company:
Molisa Lau, Tel: (852) 6187 7786, Email: molisalau@raconteur.hk
Betsy Tse, Tel: (852) 9742 7338, Email: betsytse@raconteur.hk

HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Clayton Lauw, Tel: (852) 2584 4472, Email: clayton.y.lauw@hktdc.org

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 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 Twitter @hktdc and LinkedIn

Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair closes

  • Global wine trading platform uncorks potentials for emerging markets

The 15th HKTDC Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), ended today after a successful three-day run (3-5 November). The fair drew keen buyers from emerging markets. Several regions stood out including Korea, Mainland China and Taiwan, as well as Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia, showing healthy potential for development. The return of global buyers to the physical Wine and Spirits Fair underlines Hong Kong’s status as a key trade and distribution hub for wine in the region.

After a successful three-day run, the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair closed today. Some 7,000 trade buyers and around 9,000 members of the public visited the fair.

The fair drew some 7,000 buyers from 49 countries and regions. On Public Day today the fair was open to ticket holders aged 18 or above, attracting around 9,000 wine enthusiasts to enjoy the beverages and attend events such as masterclasses, wine tasting and seminars.

The Wine & Spirits Fair featured over 500 exhibitors from 17 countries and regions.

The fair attracted renowned importers, wholesalers, retailers and e-tailers – including JD.com, Inc (Mainland China), PT. Pantja Artha Niaga (Indonesia), Royal of Japan Ltd (Japan), NARA CELLAR (Korea), Albert International Wines & Spirits Sdn Bhd (Malaysia), KOT Selections LLP (Singapore), Rose & Young Hunters Global Inc. (Taiwan), Central Food Retail Company Limited (Thailand), African + Eastern (UAE), and Red Apron Fine Wines & Spirits (Vietnam).

Organic wines from different origins were featured in the Wine & Spirits fair, offering options for buyers.

Gathers together global fine wine, cultivates new market opportunities
The HKTDC’s Deputy Executive Director Sophia Chong said: “The 15th Wine & Spirits Fair featured more than 500 exhibitors from 17 countries and regions, where wine sellers and buyers come together again and buyers were keen to source products. Public Day today was also well received, and members of the public enjoyed the wine tasting experience and had fruitful purchases.

“In recent years, Chinese wines have risen in popularity and brought new momentum to the Chinese market. We incorporated these elements in the fair, bringing products from Sichuan, Ningxia and Xinjiang, offering more options for buyers. The HKTDC also held various seminars where industry professionals could explore opportunities in the Chinese wine market. Meanwhile, the global hot topic of sustainable development has also been addressed by the wine industry, as vintners make wines by greener means. Organic wines were also showcased in the fair, creating a sparkling new wave of purchasing trends.”

Eric Fung, Director (Hong Kong) of Japanese exhibitor Flavour of Life G.K., stated: “The wine fair has attracted a significant number of international buyers and is undoubtedly the most important wine trade fair in Hong Kong. We are very pleased with the quality of buyers, most of whom come from Southeast Asia, including India, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. These are high-potential markets for sake. We have also had buyers from Africa, particularly Nigeria, which is an extremely promising market. If it weren’t for participating in this event, we would not have had the opportunity to connect with them.” His firm had established about 25 new connections at the fair, with two or three being high-potential buyers.

Emerging demand for non-alcoholic wines
Gary Lee, the Business Development Director of San Sesan Global Pte Ltd, a buyer from Singapore, said his firm’s primary objective at the event was to source vegan and alcohol-free wines, with a specific focus on products from Spain and Germany. He welcomed the Click2Match platform, which facilitated meeting scheduling and record-keeping. Mr Lee joined 20 business matchmaking sessions, engaging with eight exhibitors offering vegan and alcohol-free wines. “These meetings were highly effective, and I identified several exhibitors with significant potential. There is a good chance that I will place orders with two of them, and each deal we make is typically valued at approximately US$300,000.”

Virginia Cikhita, the CEO of Project X and a buyer from Indonesia, visited the fair to source fine wines and accompaniments. She stated: “We have a great opportunity to order from a Hong Kong exhibitor at least 2,000 bottles of black truffle sauce imported from Finland. We also hope to buy custom water bottles from a Taiwanese exhibitor, as well as at least 3,000 boxes of hangover prevention pills. These products are truly excellent!” She was pleased with the services, including providing e-Badges for buyers, the Click2Match platform, and the new Scan2Match platform that conveniently connects buyers and exhibitors from offline to online.

The fair featured 36 exciting events, including the seminar Baijiu Journey: Savouring the Flavours of China and two Wine Industry Conferences, one of which featured the sole Chinese Master Sommelier in the world, Lu Yang, discussing wine market opportunities in China and Asia. In addition to informative seminars for industry professionals, Public Day featured engaging events such as wine tasting sessions, attracting enthusiastic participation from buyers and visitors, creating a vibrant atmosphere.

Photo download:  https://bit.ly/3shCTbx

Websites
Wine & Spirits Fair: http://hkwinefair.hktdc.com/

Media enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Jane Cheung, Tel: (852) 2584 4137, Email: jane.mh.cheung@hktdc.org
Agnes Wat, Tel: (852) 2584 4554, Email: agnes.ky.wat@hktdc.org

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 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 Twitter @hktdc and LinkedIn

Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair opens today

  • Business opportunities sparkle, Chinese wines shine and the public will have a chance to sample the fine liquor on offer

The 15th HKTDC Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair opened today and will run for three days (3 to 5 November) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). More than 500 exhibitors from 17 countries and regions showcase fine beverages, as well as wine-related products and services, at this leading industry event in the region.

The 15th HKTDC Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair opened today and continues for three days (3 to 5 November) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre to bring together exquisite wines from over 500 exhibitors from 17 countries and regions.

The HKTDC’s Deputy Executive Director Sophia Chong said: “As impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic fade out, economic activities have returned to normal. The public have been attending more social events, such as parties and wedding ceremonies, boosting the consumption and sale of wines. Reflecting all these factors and considering the impact of a low base effect last year, Hong Kong’s wine exports increased 41.6% to US$300 million (HK$2.35 billion) between January and September this year.”

Italian organic wine, including Prosecco DOC Spumante Brut from La Jara – Boutique Organic Wines, are presented in the fair. Fair participants can try the unique flavours of a wide selection of wines at the organic wine zone (booth number: 3C-C26).

“Given Hong Kong’s role as regional wine trade and distribution hub, the annual wine fair organised by the HKTDC covers a wide variety of fine-beverage promotion events, including seminars, tasting sessions and receptions. The fair provides good business-matching opportunities for the industry, brings together wine sellers and buyers from Hong Kong, Mainland China and overseas, and facilitates the market penetration of wines and brands from around the world. The last day of the fair will open to the public (tickets required), giving suppliers a chance to test their products’ suitability for Asian palates,” she added.

Silver Bun-bin complex aroma distilled spirit is made in Hong Kong. The product is distilled from fermented grains and fruits, carrying a soft and sweet fruity aroma. The wine won bronze prize in its first participation of HKGCWS Wine & Spirits Judging Awards in 2019 (booth number: 3C-B24).

In February 2008, as wine demand grew in Asia, the Hong Kong Government removed all duty-related customs and administrative controls on wine to foster the development of Hong Kong as a regional hub for wine trade and distribution, particularly for Mainland China. The mainland and Macao are Hong Kong’s biggest markets, accounting for 69% of exports last year.

In addition to wine trading and distribution, wine-related activities in Hong Kong include auctions, retailing, warehousing, catering and transport. The Census and Statistics Department said 740 establishments imported alcoholic drinks for wholesale last year, up from 310 in 2008. In the same period the number of stores specialising in alcoholic beverage sales increased from 140 to 480.

Global exquisite-wine showcase

Themed Sparkling Business Opportunities for the Wine Industry, the fair presents a wide range of fine beverages, including old-world wines from Italy, Germany and France, as well as new world ones from Australia, Chile and Mainland China. The fair also features Japanese sake, Hong Kong beer, Taiwanese plum wine, whisky, gin, vodka and more.

The 11 group pavilions from around the world – Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mainland China and the Hong Kong General Chamber of Wine & Spirits and more – showcase a wide range of products, including the following:

  • As natural and organic agriculture becomes a trend, the organic wine market continues to grow. The fair features organic wines from Italy, France and Canada.
  • Chinese fine beverages from Ningxia, Sichuan and Xinjiang also feature. Seizing the opportunity the thriving Chinese fine-beverage market presents, a Hong Kong exhibitor showcases premium wines from Yunnan, offering fair participants the chance to taste top-notch Chinese fine wine. Dance of the Clouds (booth number: 3B-E06) is an exquisite creation from Yunnan Red Winery, crafted using the Le Pourpre grape. Juice from the red-hued flesh of the grape is exclusive to the vineyard.
  • Wines from less-known regions are also showcased, including Mare Santo Curvee Prestige (booth number: 3C-D12) from Slovenia – a sparkling wine carrying a wide and inviting aroma ranging from cedar to green apple.
  • Silver Bun-bin is a Hong Kong-made distilled spirit with a complex aroma (booth number: 3C-B24). The product is distilled from fermented grains and fruits, carrying a soft and sweet fruity aroma. It won bronze prize in its first participation in HKGCWS Wine & Spirits Judging Awards in 2019.
  • Chako Peach & Ginger Oolong Sparkling Tea Cocktail (booth number: 3C-C34) is a vodka-based sparkling tea cocktail with the sweetness of peach and an underlying ginger spiciness. This product won a Silver Medal in an international competition, The Spirits Business – Global Pre-Mixed & RTD Masters 2022.

The Wine and Spirits Fair also features zones that promote the industry’s all-round development, including Wine Education as well as Wine Accessories, and Services. The Friends of Wine zone showcases food-and-wine-pairing products.

Sustainable wine, Chinese fine beverages under spotlight
More than 30 events – including tasting sessions, seminars and masterclasses – will offer fair participants a chance to sample global fine wines during the fair.

At the Opening Reception tonight, Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, will be Guest of Honour. The first session of the Wine Industry Conferences EcoVino: Sustainability Trends and Solutions took place today and another session, Uncorking Opportunities: Mapping the China & Asian Wine Markets will be held tomorrow, when Master Sommelier Yang Lu and industry elites discuss business opportunities in the region.

Mainland fine-beverages are rapidly becoming popular, creating a market trend. Multiple seminars and tasting sessions will focus on business potential for baijiu and Chinese wines in overseas markets. Fine alcohols from Sichuan, Ningxia and Xinjiang will be introduced at the fair. Participants can savour the unique Chinese flavours. A Vino Joy News seminar titled China Uncorked: Navigating the New Normal in Wine Trends will feature experts and celebrities discussing post-pandemic wine trends in Mainland China.

The fair will host four wine industry prize presentation ceremonies and competitions. The award-giving ceremonies of Cathay Hong Kong International Wine and Spirit Competition 2023 and WineLuxe’s Top 10 Food and Wine Pairing Restaurant Award are held today and tomorrow respectively. The Hong Kong Bartenders Association hosts the Hong Kong International Mixology Showdown 2023 today while WineLuxe’s Hong Kong Best Gin Cocktail Awards 2023 will be held on Public Day on Sunday.

Public Day welcomes wine lovers
The last day of the Wine & Spirits Fair (5 November, Sunday) will be the Public Day and both buyers and ticket-holding members of the public aged 18 or above are welcome. Multiple highlight events will be held on Public Day, including a tasting session hosted by experienced sommelier Sammy Leung, who will explore wines from Gladstone Vineyard in New Zealand; a Sip Around the World with CC session hosted by another prominent wine critic Cecilia Wong. Visitors can also sample and learn about more than 10 labels of whisky and other liquor at the Whisky & Spirits Bar.

On Sunday, regular tickets are available to the public onsite at a price of HK$200. They can also buy the tickets at the special pre-event price of HK$99 through HK01, HKTVMall, KKday, OpenRice, PopTicket, Price.com.hk, Trip.com, Timable and WineNow. Ticket buyers will receive a Lucaris crystal wine glass (original price: HK$110) on a first-come, first-served basis.

Websites
Wine & Spirits Fair: http://hkwinefair.hktdc.com/
Product highlights and photo download: Click here

Photo download: https://bit.ly/3QHKwBn

Media enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Jane Cheung, Tel: +852 2584 4137, Email: jane.mh.cheung@hktdc.org
Agnes Wat, Tel: +852 2584 4554, Email: agnes.ky.wat@hktdc.org

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 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 Twitter @hktdc and LinkedIn

Hong Kong International Optical Fair returns

Showcase focuses on technologies and stylish designs

The 31st Hong Kong Optical Fair, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and co-organised by the Hong Kong Optical Manufacturers Association (HKOMA), will return to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) as a physical exhibition for the first time since 2019. The physical event will run from 8 to 10 November under the EXHIBITION+ integrated physical-online mode, when about 700 exhibitors from 11 countries and regions will present the latest eyewear designs and products.

Regional pavilions will include Mainland China, Taiwan, Italy, Japan and Korea, and two special sections – Visionaries of Style and the HKOMA pavilion. The fair also has multiple themed exhibition areas to facilitate buyers’ purchasing.

Showcasing the latest technological innovations in optical wear, this year’s Optical Fair will feature a Smart Eyewear zone. Hong Kong exhibitor Solos Technology Limited will display smart glasses that combine ChatGPT and wearable technology AirGo™3. Hong Kong firm 3DNA Technology Limited uses software with 360-degree facial scanning technology to help customers tailor-make suitable glasses. Other themed zones will present professional eyewear, eyewear accessories, frames, lenses, contact lenses, diagnostic instruments, optical instruments and more.

The Brand Name Gallery, a focal point of the fair, features about 200 brands from around the world, including Hong Kong s A.Society, Absolute Vintage Eyewear, bTd, Taiwan’s CLASSICO, PARIM, reputable international brands such as agnès b and MINIMA from France; Anna Sui, Jill Stuart, New Balance, and VOY from the United States; Ted Baker and Vivienne Westwood from the United Kingdom; STEPPER from Germany; Japan’s Masaki Matsushima, Matsuda, MIZ Gold, TiDOU, and Korea’s GENSDUMONDE, PEOPLE LUV ME and PLUME. The fair will also feature eyewear shows, where professional models will showcase fashion eyewear trends from various places.

HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Sophia Chong, said: “The Hong Kong Optical Fair is back at the HKCEC. We are very pleased to welcome many new international brands from all over the world this year, including the fashion capitals of France, the United Kingdom, the United States and Italy, as well as Asian trendsetters from such places as Japan, Korea and Taiwan. The fair has incorporated many international elements while keeping up with the world’s trends, demonstrating the reputation of Hong Kong as the capital of international exhibitions.”

The Optical Fair brings together the latest products from well-known exhibitors and new technologies related to eyewear. There is also a series of product promotions, conferences, seminars where visitors can find out about the latest developments in the optical industry. An award presentation ceremony for the Eyewear Design Competition will also be held during the fair. A media guided tour will be held on the first day of the fair to give the media a first-hand look at the highlights of selected exhibitors’ products and services.

We cordially invite you or your representative to cover the fair, media tour and kick-off session of the 21st Hong Kong International Optometric Symposium and related events. Details of key events are as follows:

Fair Details (Physical)
Date: 8 to 10 November (Wednesday to Friday)
Time: (8 to 9 November) 9:30am – 6:30pm (10 November) 9:30am – 5pm
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: 1 to 17 November

Media Tour
Date: 8 November 2023 (Wednesday)
Time: 2pm – 3pm
Venue: Meet at 1:45pm at HKTDC SME Centre, G/F, Expo Drive Entrance, HKCEC
Host: May Wong, Section Head, Business Development, HKTDC

Note:
Press members can register to access the event at the Press Registration Counter (Hall 1D Concourse, HKCEC) by presenting a business card or media identification.

[Highlighted events]
8 November (Wednesday)
Award Presentation Ceremony for the 23rd Hong Kong Eyewear Design Competition:  Organised by the HKTDC and the HKOMA, and co-organised by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education, the event aims to encourage and enhance the design standard of Hong Kong’s eyewear manufacturing industry and promote creativity in product design and style, so as to strengthen the interest of the younger generation in eyewear design.

Networking Reception: The reception promotes business discussions among industry insiders, with Dr Lo Kam-wing, Council Member of the HKTDC, serving as the officiating guest.

9 November (Thursday)
The 21st Hong Kong International Optometric Symposium: Jointly organised by the HKTDC, the Hong Kong Optometric Association and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University under the theme Empowering Community Eye Care through Artificial Intelligence and Telemedicine in Optometry, the symposium will see Dr Simon Tang, Director of Cluster Services of the Hospital Authority, will deliver the opening speech. A number of industry experts from around the world will explore the application of AI in optometry, the impact of telemedicine on healthcare and how it can be effectively applied to community eye care.

Seminar: Market Talk – Road Ahead for Eyewear Industry: Industry experts will discuss the latest fashion trends forecast and sustainability elements in the United States eyewear sector. Speakers will also explore the digitalisation of supply chain in the industry and its impact on manufacturing and retail, as well as the latest market outlook and potential of smart eyewear.

Seminar: Revolutionising Eyewear Design – Exploring 3D Technologies, Innovations and Material Trends: Technological advancements continue to drive revolutionary development in eyewear design, including the latest 3D technologies, innovative design and materials trends. Experts will uncover the most important innovative trends in eyewear design that you must know.

10 November (Friday)
Seminar: Latest Developments in Standardisation for Optometry in Mainland China: Experts will explain the latest technical specifications and testing guidelines for myopia prevention and control glasses, lenses, smart glasses and other optometry products for teenagers in Mainland China, allowing industry insiders to grasp the latest developments in the mainland’s optometry product market.

[Featured Exhibitors]
The Optical Fair will showcase a variety of eyewear with innovative technologies as well as new products and services. Some of the featured exhibitors include:

360-degree scanning of the face for a personalised and fully customizable glasses experience

Local company 3DNA Eyewear will showcase its self-developed interactive eyewear customisation platform that can offer innovative and engaging eyewear retail experience. The kiosk format for retailers features backlit shelving, pull out frame drawers, 200 pieces of  swatch display, adjustable 3D scanner mirror, and three high-definition monitors.The machine will scan and measure customer facial features through computer software, then display a 3D avatar on the screen. Customers can tailor-make their own glasses with their personal style from a selection of more than 2,000 designs, with choices ranging from materials, patterns and colours to bespoke features such as narrow frames and printed names. The simulated design will be displayed on the monitor immediately.Global retailers and suppliers are connected through the 3DNA open platform. then the final order will be sent directly to the production factories in mainland China, the United States, or the United Kingdom.3DNA Technology Limited – Booth: 1CON-046

ChatGPT Smart  Eyewear

First-time Hong Kong exhibitor Solos Technology Limited will feature the latest collection AirGo™ 3, smart glasses which combine ChatGPT with wearable tech.Users can press and hold an action button on the smart glasses’ temple to ask ChatGPT a question. They will see the reply through the lenses and also hear the answer. SolosTranslate is another ChatGPT-supported service, a live language translation with the power of voice. The nine supported languages include Cantonese, French, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin and Spanish. AirGo™ 3 was officially released in SILMO in September this year with more than 100 patents.Solos Technology Limited – Booth: GH-B38

More innovative and environmental eyewear can be found in the below selected exhibitors list:  https://bit.ly/3QeVuge

Websites
Hong Kong Optical Fair:  https://www.hktdc.com/event/hkopticalfair/tc
Hong Kong Optical Fair event details: https://www.hktdc.com/event/hkopticalfair/en/intelligence-hub
The 21st Hong Kong International Optometric Symposium: https://www.hktdc.com/event/hkopticalfair/tc/the-21st-hong-kong-international-optometric-symposium
HKTDC Media Room: http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/en

Media enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC’s Communication and Public Affairs Department:
Frankie Leung, Tel: (852) 2584 4298, Email: frankie.cy.leung@hktdc.org
Phyllis Tsang, Tel: (852) 2584 4288, Email: phyllis.km.tsang@hktdc.org

Hong Kong Autumn Lighting Fair, Outdoor and Tech Light Expo and Eco Expo Asia draw some 62,000 buyers

  • Exhibitors are bullish on sales prospects and see tremendous potential in smart lighting

The 25th Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition), the 8th Hong Kong International Outdoor and Tech Light Expo, and the 18th Eco Expo Asia, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), concluded their physical events on a high note. The three exhibitions attracted some 62,000 buyers from 145 countries and regions.

The 25th Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition), the 8th Hong Kong International Outdoor and Tech Light Expo, and the 18th Eco Expo Asia successfully concluded their physical exhibitions. The three events collectively attracted some 62,000 buyers from 145 countries and regions.

Sophia Chong, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC, said the fairs had created a cross-industry sourcing platform for global buyers, successfully leveraging synergy and attracting some 62,000 buyers collectively. The number of buyers from key markets grew strongly, including those from ASEAN countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, as well as United Arab Emirates (UAE), Korea, India and Mainland China. Eco Expo Asia also drew many new buyer groups, including those from Malaysia, Thailand and Macao, reflecting the passing of the pandemic and that global buyers continued to view Hong Kong as an important trading and sourcing platform. Ms Chong was confident that the HKTDC would continue to promote local and international trade development, bringing more business opportunities and cooperation to the industry.

The Lighting Fair’s Hall of Aurora brought together innovative lighting fixtures and technologies from various well-known brands.

Survey reflects optimism on sales 
An independent survey institute interviewed nearly 770 exhibitors and buyers at the Autumn Lighting Fair and Outdoor and Tech Light Expo. The industry held an optimistic outlook, with more than 67% respondents expecting overall sales to continue growing in the next two years, with 32% expecting sales to remain unchanged and just 1% anticipating a potential decline. For traditional markets, respondents were mainly optimistic about Australia and the Pacific Islands (67%) and Taiwan (63%). Among emerging markets, the industry was primarily positive on Latin America (71%), Central & Eastern Europe (excl. Russia) (68%), the Middle East (66%) and ASEAN countries (65%).

This year’s Eco Expo Asia attracted over 300 exhibitors, jointly exploring the latest green opportunities, with one of the highlights being the Green Transportation zone.

Smart cities and smart homes were among the technological development trends under the spotlight. As Internet of Things (IoT) applications grow in popularity, most respondents (74%) believed the smart-lighting market had great potential in the next two years. Areas with the most potential included home automation and smart-lighting control systems (47%), followed by wireless lighting control systems (33%), energy-saving lighting control solutions (30%) and outdoor smart security lighting systems (26%).

New Connected Lighting Zone draws interest

The Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition) and the Hong Kong International Outdoor and Tech Light Expo, themed Light Up Every Opportunity, featured a wide range of high-quality lighting products such as those with innovative designs, sustainable development and smart elements. The Connected Lighting Zone debuted at this year’s Lighting Fair showcasing more than 20 renowned companies and brands. The business atmosphere at both lighting fairs was enthusiastic and lively. Long-standing Hong Kong exhibitor Extra Lighting Manufacturing Ltd. showcased top-quality commercial and residential lighting products at the Autumn Lighting Fair. Lisa Tang, Director, said: “We have been participating in this fair for more than 20 years. About 15% of our customers have been acquired through this fair. At this year’s fair, we have connected with new buyers from Europe, the Middle East, North America and Southeast Asia. We expect the fair will generate US$3 million in sales turnover for our company.”

Irving Pun, Marketing Director of Hong Kong Kinlights Technology Co., was at Outdoor and Tech Light Expo and said: “We found seven to eight serious buyers from Spain, Poland, South Africa, India, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia on the first day of exhibition. They are looking to purchase different lighting items including street lights, high bay lights and sport lights. We will receive orders worth US$500,000 to US$1 million.”

A buyer from Saudi Arabia, Abdelhamid Hussein, Electrical Mabani Company Lighting Sales Manager and Consultant, said the two lighting fairs featured a good mix of innovative lighting products. “We’ve already placed a US$700,000 order with a Shanghai exhibitor of Outdoor and Tech Light Expo for landscape lighting and solar poles for stadiums and sports halls. Talks are underway with a Zhongshan exhibitor for a smart lighting control solution. The potential order is valued at US$300,000. We are also visiting the Autumn Lighting Fair to source other products. We will place orders as much as US$2 million to US$3 million at the two fairs this year.”

Seminars and forums at the fairs, included the Connected Lighting Forum and A Greener Future in Hong Kong: Sustainable Lighting Design and Energy Solutions seminar where experts shared the latest information and trends on smart and sustainable lighting.

Eco Expo Asia: Driving energy efficiency and waste reduction

This year’s Eco Expo Asia, themed Taking the Leap towards Carbon Neutrality, resonated with the recent Policy Address by Chief Executive John Lee, in which he emphasised measures to promote the new energy transport industry and sustainable development. The Green Transportation zone showcased a variety of new energy vehicles and related equipment, including hydrogen-powered container trucks and garbage trucks exhibited by Wisdom Motors (HK) Limited. Huawei International Co. Limited also introduced the latest models of charging piles at the expo, enabling electric vehicles to fully charge within just 10 minutes, thereby enhancing the convenience of electric vehicle usage, and promoting the development of new energy transportation.

To help Hong Kong’s catering industry prepare for the ban on disposable plastic utensils next year, the Environmental Protection Department of the HKSAR government led 28 registered suppliers from the Green Tableware Platform to participate in the expo. The Japan Pavilion showcased eco-friendly utensils and introduced cutting-edge fabric degradation into soil technology, while the Canada Pavilion presented green building technologies and biological wastewater purification and odour removal techniques.

One event highlight was the Eco Asia Conference, which brought together officials and experts from Mainland China and Belt and Road regions to discuss green futures. The conference also hosted the Building a Zero Waste Bay Area Launch Ceremony. The Eco Expo Asia this year attracted about 170 environmental officials from mainland provinces, municipalities and Belt and Road regions, highlighting the significance of the expo in promoting government-to-government (G2G) and government-to-business (G2B) collaborations. The newly added ESG Job Hub also helped to recruit fresh talent for the industry, attracting on-site applications from aspiring individuals.

Hong Kong exhibitor Lexie Lin, Investment Director of Wisdom Motor, said: “We have received enquiries from buyers from Denmark, Belgium, and Germany, and other European countries, as well as from the United States and Canada. Two clients from Australia also expressed great interest. In addition, we have engaged with buyers from Hong Kong, including the mass transport system and community infrastructure companies.

“The HKTDC has facilitated our online business matching meetings through the Click2Match platform. We have secured customers from Australia, France and Germany, with orders for over 100 vehicles.”

A buyer from Myanmar, Ben Ja Min, Representative from BJM Paper Recycling Co., Ltd, said: “BJM Paper Recycling Co., Ltd. specialises in paper and plastic recycling business in Myanmar. We are looking for the latest wastewater recycling solution. Through the HKTDC’s business matching meetings, we identified the Vibratory Membrane Advanced Treatment from a Hong Kong Exhibitor that harnesses membrane separation technology for applications involving a variety of industrial waste liquids, such as oil, water and chemical wastes. We will likely spend US$800,000 on this treatment installation in a new factory.”

According to the latest survey led by the HKTDC, respondents from Mainland China and overseas considered Hong Kong to be a sustainable business hub offering services useful for companies’ ESG strategies, giving Hong Kong an overall rating of 7.0 or more out of 10. Hong Kong was seen as possessing a number of desirable attributes, including product availability and diversity (such as eco‑design and net‑zero solutions), the supply of ESG expertise and talent in many fields (such as green finance, carbon trading and ESG investment expertise and talents), and ESG investing. (For detailed survey findings, please refer to https://research.hktdc.com/en/article/MTUxMzgzNDAwMw)

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 more than 3,000 exhibitors collectively and some 38,000 and some 12,000 buyers respectively. Eco Expo Asia, co-organised by the HKTDC and Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd., drew over 300 exhibitors and some 12,000 buyers.

Under the EXHIBITION+ hybrid mode, exhibitors and buyers can engage in online business negotiations and matching through the Click2Match smart business matching platform until 6 November.

Fair Websites

Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition): hklightingfairae.hktdc.com/en

Hong Kong International Outdoor and Tech Light Expo: hkotlexpo.hktdc.com/en

Eco Expo Asia: www.ecoexpoasia.com

Exhibitor and Buyer Quotes

Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition): https://bit.ly/3Mnn7m2

Hong Kong International Outdoor and Tech Light Expo: https://bit.ly/45Rt3Lb

Eco Expo Asia: https://bit.ly/40guKk4

Photo download: https://bit.ly/3MlDdNk

Media enquiries
HKTDC’s Communications and Public Affairs Department:
HKTDC Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition) and HKTDC Hong Kong International Outdoor and Tech Light Expo
Snowy Chan, Tel: (852) 2584 4525, Email: snowy.sn.chan@hktdc.org

Eco Expo Asia 
Clayton Lauw, Tel: (852) 2584 4472, Email: clayton.y.lauw@hktdc.org

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

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 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 Twitter @hktdc and LinkedIn

Global lighting marketplace gathers over 3,000 exhibitors

Connected Lighting zone debuts at Autumn lighting fair, showcasing smart-lighting products and solutions

The 25th Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition), organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), opened today and runs until 30 October at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, featuring more than 2,600 exhibitors. The eighth Hong Kong International Outdoor and Tech Light Expo runs in parallel from yesterday to 29 October (Sunday) at AsiaWorld-Expo, with 380 exhibitors. Industry professionals and buyers are welcome to visit and source at both events.

The 25th Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition) and the eighth Hong Kong International Outdoor and Tech Light Expo are open. The two lighting fairs have brought together more than 3,000 exhibitors from 37 countries and regions.

Sophia Chong, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC, said: “These two lighting fairs have brought together over 3,000 exhibitors from 37 countries and regions. In addition to local exhibitors, this year our exhibitors come from Mainland China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, ASEAN countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, as well as European countries including Denmark, France, Germany, Switzerland and the United States, showcasing diverse lighting products and solutions. As a world-class trading hub for lighting, the fairs provide insights into products and industry trends, enabling traders to build business connections and further expand market opportunities.”

A Connected Lighting Zone debuts at the 25th Autumn Lighting Fair, showcasing new products from various renowned companies and brands.

Connected Lighting Zone debuts to showcase smart-lighting products
Under the theme Light Up Every Opportunity, the Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition) and Hong Kong International Outdoor and Tech Light Expo present a wide range of high-quality lighting products, including those with innovative design, sustainable development and smart elements. The Connectivity Standards Alliance introduced the cross-platform smart-home device standard Matter in 2019, making smart-home systems more convenient. The Autumn Lighting Fair gathers the latest smart lighting products, including the MEGAMAN® Ingenium® Matter series (Booth No. 1C-B02), which is compatible with multiple smart-home systems, and the LEEDARSON Smart Lighting series (Booth No. GH-C02; 1B-D02), which uses a patented colour-mixing algorithm.

The Hall of Aurora gathers innovative lighting products and technologies from many renowned brands.

A Connected Lighting Zone debuts at the 25th Autumn Lighting Fair, showcasing more than 20 renowned international companies and brands including Leedarson, Midea, Snappy, Quectel, as well as members of DALI Alliance and Shanghai Pudong Intelligent Lighting Association.

The Hall of Aurora gathers innovative lighting products and technologies from renowned brands such as Prosperity Group and Signify. Other product zones include Commercial Lighting, Residential Lighting, LED Lighting, LED Essentials, Smart Lighting & Solutions and more.

Forums will explore the latest opportunities in connected lighting during the fair period. The Connected Lighting Forum, themed Unlocking New Realms in Connected Lighting, was held today. Experts such as Mona Xiong, Board Member & Marketing Committee Member, Connectivity Standards Alliance; Head of Ecosystem Partnership, Tuya Smart and Finn Chen, Vice Team Leader, Connectivity Standards Alliance Member Group China (CMGC); CEO, Longan Link Tech Co., LTD.  discussed smart-lighting industry developments. The Connected Lighting Forum, themed Smart Lighting for Healthy Living, will be held tomorrow. Experts such as Dr Qiao Yuan, Director, SILA Intelligent Lighting Designer Committee; Vice President, Fudan Planning and Architectural Design Institute and Dr Feng Huang, Chair, DALI Alliance China Focus Group; Chief Expert, Standard and Regulation, Signify (China) will discuss how technology can improve lighting design and contribute to human health.

Energy-saving lighting products cater to sustainable development trends 
The Hong Kong International Outdoor and Tech Light Expo features several product zones, including Exterior Lighting Solutions and Systems, Horticultural Lighting, Innobuild, Outdoor Advertising Lighting, Outdoor & Public Lighting as well as Technical & Professional Lighting. The expo showcases outdoor and professional technical lighting solutions for commercial and industrial use, key products include the Sunmao LED graphene street light (Booth No. 8-B23). Highly durable graphene can withstand harsh environmental conditions, extending a street light’s lifespan. Additionally, Jiangsu Sokoyo Solar Lighting Co., Ltd. presents its GOLF – All-in-one solar street light (Booth No. 8-B06), combining solar panels and intelligent sensing technology and features a detachable light pole, providing more lighting industry options and promoting sustainable development and energy conservation.

The New Infrastructure for Smart Cities: Exploring the Trend of Smart Lighting seminar held today featured experts such as Diana Y Lu, Vice Chairman of SILA  (Shanghai Pudong Intelligent Lighting Association) and General Manager of Unilumin Lighting who discussed the latest advancements and trends in smart lighting to integrate with emerging technologies such as IoT and AI to turn cities smart. Another session, Development of Smart Poles and Vehicles Forum, invited experts including Dr Feng Huang, Secretary General of the smart-city committee, SILA; Chief Expert, Standard and Regulation of Signify (China) and Zhi-jun Li, Chairman, Shanghai Pudong Intelligent Lighting Association to discuss integrated solutions and challenges in standardisation of smart poles for enhanced safety and efficiency on highways.

The Outdoor and Tech Light Expo runs from 26 to 29 October at AsiaWorld-Expo, in parallel with Eco Expo Asia. Along with the Autumn Lighting Fair, the three events create greater synergies and cross-sector business opportunities for industry players. A free shuttle bus service will be provided between the HKCEC and AsiaWorld-Expo.

Under the EXHIBITION+ hybrid mode, exhibitors and buyers can meet online through the Click2Match smart business matching platform in addition to attending the physical fair until 6 November. The new Scan2Match function launched for the Fairs allows buyers to use the HKTDC Marketplace App during the physical fair to scan the QR codes of exhibitors and product showcases, bookmark favourite exhibitors, browse product information and floor plans as well as engage with exhibitors after the Fairs to continue their sourcing journey.

 The 8th HKTDC Hong Kong International Outdoor and Tech Light ExpoThe 25th HKTDC Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition)
Date26-29 Oct 2023 (Thursday to Sunday)27-30 Oct 2023 (Friday to Monday)
Opening hours26 Oct 2023: 10:30am-6pm; 27-28 Oct 2023: 10am-6pm; 29 Oct 2023: 10am-5pm27-29 Oct 2023: 9:30am-7pm; 30 Oct 2023: 9:30am-4pm
VenueAsiaWorld-ExpoHong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
Press Registration CounterAsiaWorld-Expo East LobbyHall 1C Concourse, HKCEC, or at the HKTDC Media Centre (G/F, HKCEC, 1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai)
Media CentreRoom 108, Hall 8 Side Entrance, AsiaWorld-ExpoHKTDC Media Centre
Number of exhibitors380More than 2,600
Major exhibit categoriesExterior Lighting Solutions & Systems, Horticultural Lighting,Innobuild, Outdoor Advertising Lighting, Outdoor & Public Lighting, Technical & Professional LightingCommercial Lighting, Residential Lighting, LED Lighting, LED Essentials, Smart Lighting & Solutions
Fair website hkotlexpo.hktdc.comhklightingfairae.hktdc.com

Photo download: http://bit.ly/3s8mbv3

Media enquiries
The HKTDC’s Communications and Public Affairs Department:
Snowy Chan, Tel: (852) 2584 4525, Email: snowy.sn.chan@hktdc.org

The HKTDC’s Media Room: http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/en

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 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 Twitter @hktdc and LinkedIn