Tag: hktdc

33rd Hong Kong Book Fair opens on 19 July

  • Ticket holders to the fair, themed Children’s and Young Adult Literature, can also enjoy Sports and Leisure Expo, and World of Snacks

The 33rd HKTDC Hong Kong Book Fair, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), will run from 19 to 25 July (Wednesday to Tuesday) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). With the theme of Children’s and Young Adult Literature, the Book Fair will showcase children’s and young adults’ literature, explore the depth of it and promote the fun of reading in the city, echoing the tagline Reading the World: The Joy of Reading for Children and Youth. This year’s Book Fair has invited acclaimed writers and speakers and organised more than 600 seminars and cultural activities. It will run in parallel with the HKTDC Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo and HKTDC World of Snacks, altogether attracting about 760 exhibitors, offering visitors three times the enjoyment on a single ticket.

Sophia Chong, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC
Edmund Chan, Director of the Hong Kong Publishing Federation; Dr. Elvin Lee, Chairman of the Hong Kong Publishing Federation; Sophia Chong, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC; Yau Lop-poon, Editor-in-Chief of Yazhou Zhoukan; And this year’s featured writer Wei Ya [L-R]
The two Art Gallery exhibitions at the Book Fair are Featured authors of the theme of the year and Treasures of Lingnan Culture.

Sophia Chong, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC, said: “The theme this year, Children’s and Young Adult Literature, selected by the Hong Kong Book Fair Cultural Events Advisory Panel, is particularly thoughtful. Children’s and young-adult literature carry profound educational value and play a substantial role in ideation, imagination and formation of world-view of the young. Taking advantage of the theme this year, we wish to pay tribute to Hong Kong children’s and young-adult literature writers and promote their works. The HKTDC Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo and HKTDC World of Snacks will be held alongside the Book Fair, altogether welcoming about 760 exhibitors from more than 30 countries and regions, with a wide selection of books, cultural art pieces, sports and leisure products and experiences, as well as tasty treats from around the world, making it a summer must-visit spot for Hong Kong citizens.”

Art Gallery highlights rich culture of Lingnan
Readers have always liked the Art Gallery which will have two thematic exhibitions this year – Featured writers of the theme of the year and Treasures of Lingnan Culture – at the HKCEC Hall 3 Concourse. The exhibition of featured writers will focus on the selected works and precious collections of the nine writers. They are A Nong, Chau Mat-mat, Wei Ya, Sun Wai-ling, Leong Monk-fung, Poon Ming-chu, Poon Kam-ying, and the late Quenby Fung and Ho Tsz.

They will share their views on the evolution of children’s literature and shed light on their writing experiences. Quenby Fung’s close friends Dr Justine Woo and Joanne Chan will attend the Book Fair on her behalf while Carmen Ho will join the talk on behalf of her late father Ho Tsz.

The Book Fair, together with the Ling Ngai Art Association, the Hong Kong Calligraphers’ Association and other organisations, will jointly launch the Treasures of Lingnan Culture exhibition showcasing calligraphy by famous artists, paintings from the Lingnan school and intangible cultural heritage – Canton Porcelain – to help promote the unique artistic heritage of Lingnan.

Wong Fei-hung is considered the guru of Lingnan culture. The Book Fair has dedicated an exhibition to honour his legacy by featuring books, martial arts magazines, movie programme booklets and stage photos related to his movies in the 1950s and 1960s, among other invaluable items, helping visitors visualise the history of Lingnan martial arts and culture. The Art Gallery will incorporate interactive design and display, bringing to life Lingnan customs and traditions.

Brand-new World of Art & Culture to facilitate cultural exchange
Sponsored by Create Hong Kong* (CreateHK) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), the World of Art & Culture zone will be launched to further strengthen Hong Kong’s position as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. Curated by renowned Hong Kong designers, the zone vividly depicts literature and cultural arts related to the youth-focused theme from 24 countries and regions including France, Hungary, Switzerland, Spain, Korea, Brunei and more. The zone will also exhibit the awarded books under Children & Youth and Art & Design categories of Hong Kong Publishing Biennial Award 2023. There will be workshops where participants experience art, culture and creativity to help readers develop a deeper understanding of different cultures.

Brightest minds share tips on creative insights at Eight Seminar Series
The Eight Seminar Series continues to be a Book Fair highlight. The seminars include: Theme of the year, Renowned Writers, English and International Reading, World of Knowledge, Children and Youth Reading, Personal Development and Spiritual Growth, Lifestyle and Hong Kong Cultural and Historical. Partnering with Ming Pao and Yazhou Zhoukan, the HKTDC again organises the Renowned Writers Seminar Series addressed bv leading Chinese-language authors as speakers. Speakers include Yu Hua, considered one of the three most talented writers in China; Luo Zhen-yu, a motivational speaker with an online and offline audience of over 10 million for his New Year’s Eve speech; Ma Boyong, famous novelist; Xu Zhi-yuan, founder of the bookstore Owspace; Pang Bei, a Mao Dun literature prize winner; Chen Chun-cheng, a Blancpain-Imaginist literary prize winner, Guan Zhong-min, famous Taiwanese host; Shum Sai-shing, scholar of Hong Kong history; Brian Wong, Balliol College Rhodes scholar and Susana Cheung Chui-yung, a veteran journalist. They will share ups and downs of their writing journey with Hong Kong booklovers.

The Book Fair is privileged to draw high-profile English-language writers to host seminars for the English and International Reading Seminar Series. The special guests include Indonesian writer Jesse Q Sutanto, who won the 2021 Comedy Women in Print Prize; Theadora Whittington, a well-known British children’s book author who published The Sand Turtle; Jane Houng, a British children’s literature author who has been living in Hong Kong for more than 30 years; Winston Chu, Vice President of Society for Protection of the Harbour; Libby Lam, aka Lady Libby, children’s book author; and Mark O’Neill, an experienced researcher of Chinese history. Speakers of other series include Hong Kong pop band The Wynners formed in the 70s, former Hong Kong cycling team member Wong Kam-po, Executive Council convener Regina Ip and artiste Priscilla Wong. A broad spectrum of topics will be covered.

The Book Fair continues to invite many outstanding figures to share their stories with children at the Storytelling by Celebrities session. The speakers include Hong Kong education expert Dr Chan Wai-kai; orthopaedic surgeon Dr Liyeung Lucci Lugee; CEO of Chinese Estates Holdings Limited Chan Hoi-wan; Chairman of Board of Trustees of Wai Yin Association Mandy Cho, Chairman of Shininglife Charity Jade Kwan; artiste Coco Chiang and more. (For more details on the seminars and the lineup of speakers, please visit: https://hkbookfair.hktdc.com/en/Events/Event-Schedule.html)

Fun-filled Sports and Leisure Expo promotes wellness
The Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo features eight thematic zones – Sports Hub, Outdoor Adventure, Health & Fitness, Fun & Learn, Board Games, Photography World, Japan Pavilion and Handicraft Market. Hong Kong triathlete Cheri Cho and Hong Kong break-dancer B-girl Lady Little Chan Ka-yi will talk about their journey as athletes and perform on stage.

The Sports Hub zone offers visitors fun activities free of charge, including a 4-metre-high mobile rope net, interactive boxing sandbags and a VR rowing boats experience brought by the Hong Kong Playground Association for its 90th anniversary this year; the racing sports experience and a 1:1 “Golden Sixty” Horse Sculpture presented by the Hong Kong Jockey Club; the skateboarding trial classes and demonstrations provided by the Seeds Skateboarding Institution (SeedSkate) and more. Hong Kong athletes have notched up great achievements recently, the Hong Kong Sports Institute will display gear and supplies used by Olympic medallists Edgar Cheung, Siobhan Haughey and Sarah Lee during competitions and trainings. The exhibition area of Board Games has nearly doubled this year. People On Board will present a variety of Hong Kong-themed board games crossover with MTR, HKMA and Lee Kum Kee.

The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) and 14 Japanese prefectures and cities have teamed up to form a Japan Pavilion showcasing the country’s attractions and cultural characteristics. Every August, Aomori Prefecture of Japan holds the renowned Aomori Nebuta (“Sleeping Devil”) Festival with Nebuta lanterns parading around the centre of the Prefecture. To mark its debut participation this year, a 2-metre Nebuta lantern will be set up, allowing visitors to appreciate the majestic Nebuta up close, and to feel the festive atmosphere. The Japan Pavilion will also bring in traditional dances and mascot performances from various prefectures and cities.

World of Snacks offers delicacies from around the world
The World of Snacks features six thematic zones – Travel Delights, Chocolate and Sweet Factory, Oldie Snacks, Yummy & Healthy, Party Time and Snack Bar – assembling more than 1,200 popular treats from across the globe. There are also workshops and activities on-site, including tasting sessions, hand-brewed coffee with Zen concept combined with meditation experience.

‘Cultural July’ nurtures a cultural oasis
Alongside the Book Fair, the HKTDC collaborates with the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), publishers, educational and cultural institutions, malls and cafes to organise cultural events across 18 districts of Hong Kong from 16 June to 31 July, as part of the citywide Cultural July campaign. These include writing workshops, seminars by renowned writers and book launches where readers gain insight into the journey and fun of writing.

The Cultural Journey Online will continue to be available on the Book Fair website gathering e-reading resources and activities like virtual seminars and exhibitions from our partners which include: SHKP Reading Club’s Read For More, Hong Kong Public libraries, Culture is…, Google Arts & Culture, encouraging citizens to expand their horizons and promoting a reading culture.

To ensure an even flow of visitors throughout the day, the HKTDC offers morning admission tickets and a special re-entry promotion. Additionally, new online ticketing channels via AlipayHK and the Alipay App are available. No physical ticket sales will be arranged at the fairground, visitors can pay with AlipayHK App, Alipay App or Octopus cards at the entrance’s toll booths. More details of the ticketing arrangements can be found below.
* Disclaimer: The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region provides funding support to the project only, and does not otherwise take part in the project. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these materials/events (or by members of the project team) are those of the project organisers only and do not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, Create Hong Kong, the CreateSmart Initiative Secretariat or the CreateSmart Initiative Vetting Committee.

Websites:
– Hong Kong Book Fair website: www.hkbookfair.com
– Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo website https://www.hktdc.com/event/hksportsleisureexpo/en
– World of Snacks website https://www.hktdc.com/event/worldofsnacks/en
– HKTDC Media Room: http://mediaroom.hktdc.com
– Photo Download: https://bit.ly/3XtHJh0
– Photos of the exhibits, key speakers and other Book Fair highlights can be found at: https://bit.ly/43YvlYO

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

Media enquiries
Should members of the press have any enquiries, please contact:

Hong Kong Book Fair
Yuan Tung Financial Relations:
Anson Wong, Tel: +852 3428 3413, Email: awong@yuantung.com.hk
Salina Cheng, Tel: +852 3428 5691, Email: salcheng@yuantung.com.hk
Agnes Yiu, Tel: +852 3428 5690, Email: ayiu@yuantung.com.hk

HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Katy Wong, Tel: +852 2584 4524, Email: katy.ky.wong@hktdc.org
Sunny Ng, Tel: +852 2584 4357, Email: sunny.sl.ng@hktdc.org

Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo, World of Snacks
HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Katy Chan, Tel: +852 2584 4239, Email: kate.hy.chan@hktdc.org

Start-up Express finalists make their pitches

  • Entrepreneurs represent diverse tech sectors from ConTech to Web

Start-up Express, the annual entrepreneurship development programme organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), has returned for its sixth edition. Hong Kong is rapidly growing following COVID-19 and the HKTDC will continue to incubate and support local start-ups and help them develop their businesses. This year’s programme continues to help them build connections, explore markets, seek partners and enhance brand awareness.

In 2022, 10 winning teams were selected for the Start-Up Express Pitching Final
DimOrder provides a cloud-based ecosystem to over 1,700 restaurants
Meat The Next launched tiger nut vegan ice cream and tiger nut oat milk, which are dairy-free and with no added sugar, to the market

Start-up Express cohorts show tremendous traction
Stephen Liang, Assistant Executive Director of HKTDC, said the HKTDC would continue its commitment to supporting entrepreneurs in expanding their businesses into overseas markets, in addition to promoting the city’s capabilities in innovation and technology.

“Since the first edition of Start-up Express in 2018, the programme has already nurtured 50 start-ups, some of which have scaled up substantially. Start-up Express has given great support to start-ups over the past five years, helping them tap into new markets and win global recognition. Through the HKTDC network, numerous start-ups successfully obtained substantial business orders and secured partners as well as investment rounds. We will continue our quest to spread the spirit of entrepreneurship in Hong Kong, helping start-ups grow their businesses to the next level and helping them gain a foothold in the global arena. The HKTDC remains committed to building a sustainable and international entrepreneurial ecosystem that promotes local economic growth and business development,” Mr Liang said.

Applications stream in
Start-up Express is aimed at Hong Kong tech start-ups which plan to expand into international markets. The competition drew a record number of applications this year, with finalists from diverse sectors such as ed tech, con (construction) tech & prop tech, fintech, health tech, as well as metaverse, Web 3.0, smart city, HR tech and food tech. This year’s judging panel comprises five renowned industry experts: Jason Chiu, Chairman of Hong Kong Startup Council; Anthony Chan, Chief Executive Officer of Isola Capital; Gordon Yen, Chairman of Hong Kong Business Angel Network; Ben Cheng, President and Chief Executive Officer of C Capital and Danny Yeung, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Prenetics.

Live polling on physical Pitching Day
The Final Pitching Day of Start-up Express 2023 will be held in-person on 4 July at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Apart from the 10 winners, one laureate will receive the ESG Award, rewarding the most sustainable and socially impactful start-up, while the My Favourite Start-up Award victor will be decided by a live audience vote. The 10 winning start-ups will have access to capability-building workshops, mentoring sessions, exploratory missions to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, marketing sessions, extensive publicity and investor-pitching opportunities. These activities will help the laureates hone business skills, gain access to the latest market insights and acquire business know-how from experienced industry leaders. The winners will also be able to interact with buyers and investors at HKTDC-organised local and overseas events. The HKTDC will arrange business-matching meetings, helping entrepreneurs connect with potential partners, increase media exposure and enhance brand awareness.

Taking the market pulse and building a global network
Mr Liang added: “Last year’s winning teams stood out because of their innovative and forward-looking ideas. Through Start-up Express they were able to gain more insights into their industries, overseas market trends and investor preferences by participating in different HKTDC-organised events, including the Asia Summit on Global Health, Asian Financial Forum, exhibitions in Mainland China and overseas, and investor meetings in Hong Kong and the mainland. They have also been able to strengthen their business networks and expand their markets and businesses through the exposure they have gained. To help fuel the growth of these start-ups, the HKTDC also leveraged its network of 50 overseas offices worldwide to endorse them in international competitions and connect them to overseas investors through pitching events.”

20 finalists with unique products/solutions
Start-ups selected for the shortlisted top 20 in the Final Pitching Day have all presented innovative business solutions that help address social and environmental issues. Among them:

– DimOrder provides a cloud-based ecosystem to more than 1,700 restaurants. It builds operating systems, processes transaction and offers a procurement platform.
– Meat The Next launched tiger nut vegan ice cream and tiger nut oat milk, which are dairy-free and have no added sugar.
– Moongate is a one-stop shop for brands and businesses to use utility NFTs to drive customer engagement and revenue, enabling businesses to create powerful NFT tickets and memberships to maximise customer lifetime value.
– Neuropix has invented a bilateral wireless neurostimulation system to treat major brain diseases, a non-invasive innovative wearable neurotechnology.

Start-up Express 2023 Pitching Final
Date: 4 July 2023 (Tuesday)
Time: 1:15pm Media registration; 1:30pm-6pm Start-up Express Pitching Final
Venue: S221, HKCEC 1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai
Judging panel:
– Anthony Chan, Chief Executive Officer of Isola Capital
– Ben Cheng, President and Chief Executive Officer of C Capital
– Jason Chiu, Chairman of Hong Kong Startup Council
– Danny Yeung, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Prenetics
– Gordon Yen, Chairman of Hong Kong Business Angel Network
Shortlisted start-ups: Click here to view the profiles of the shortlisted start-ups. https://tinyurl.com/yy9k28ve
Start-up Express website: https://portal.hktdc.com/startupexpress/
Photo download: https://bit.ly/3PikEf6

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

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

HKTDC Design Gallery co-organises LoveHK exhibition with multimedia artist Agnes Pang

  • From trash to art: crafting a green Hong Kong

The HKTDC Design Gallery’s annual LoveHK exhibition returns from tomorrow (20 June) to 9 July, displaying more than 60 artworks made from everyday waste items such as coffee filters, wine corks, egg cartons, vegetable and fruit nets and glass bottles at its Wan Chai CEC shop. The exhibition shows visitors the beauty of Hong Kong’s landscapes and living scenes in a sumptuous visual feast in collaboration with multimedia artist Ms Agnes Pang on the theme A Green HK.

Collaborating with local multimedia artist Agnes Pang on the ‘A Green HK’ theme, the annual LoveHK exhibition presents the beauty of Hong Kong’s landscapes and living scenes, offering visitors a sumptuous visual feast.

Upcycled artwork promotes green living
Hong Kong is a vibrant, multicultural international city where environmental consciousness gradually permeates peoples’ lives. As an artist who has always been committed to promoting environmental art, Ms Pang uses innovative techniques to transform inconspicuous everyday waste materials into works of art, integrating her painting skills to present aspects of the city.

The exhibition comprises five sections.
1. Costal Landscape: Simple yet gentle brushstrokes on coffee-filter canvas capture the stunning scenery of Hong Kong’s coastal areas, such as Sam Mun Tsai, Cheung Chau and Central.
2. Hong Kong Life: Coffee grounds are the primary medium to depict Hong Kong daily scenes such as cha chaan teng eateries, fish markets and meat stalls, conveying a strong sense of life that transports visitors to the bustling streets of the metropolis.
3. Walk & Sketch: Ms Pang likes to carry paper and pen and sketches wherever she goes – streets, alleys or tourist attractions.
4. Waterfront of Lantau: Wine corks express the natural texture of stones and soil, presenting beautiful Lantau Island scenery.
5. Hong Kong is My Home: Foam nets collage Hong Kong’s skyline, with a background of blue skies and white clouds painted in acrylic, showing the unique cityscape.

Ms Pang hoped that while visitors appreciated the artwork, they could also feel her concern for and devotion to environmental protection and be inspired to go green. “I love the nature and humanity, and I am eager to educate others to cherish everything around us. While appreciating art, visitors can also appreciate the beauty of nature.” Her works are rich in colour, innovative in concept and full of positive and optimistic thoughts. She often draws inspiration from daily life and nature. She likes to take walks and explore the surrounding environment, discovering interesting discarded materials and incorporating them into her art.

She explores new techniques and shapes whenever she begins to create a new artwork. In this exhibition; she will also display diversified artworks such as dim sum made from form nets, champagne cap and shell-made miniature chairs, and flowers made from plastic labels, creating a stunning visual effect.

Design Gallery’s selected products
Under the LoveHK theme Ms Pang has especially handmade form-net baskets and greeting cards available for purchase at Design Gallery. The Wan Chai boutique is also offering a selection of Hong Kong-themed products, including EASTPRO PUBLISHER HONG KONG Kent Mok Hong Kong Devotion Photo Book,WHY NOT HONG KONG Hong Kong Sheung Wan Tram/ Kai Tak Plane Passport Holder and HONG KONG OAPES 925 Sterling Sliver Bauhinia Shaped Earrings with Enamel. During the exhibition period customers can enjoy an extra 15% discount on their entire purchase with a net spending of HK$400 (US$51) or more.

Redeem a free gift by posting on social media
During the exhibition, visitors who post a photo of any exhibit on Facebook or Instagram, and tag both the Design Gallery (@HKTDC Design Gallery) and Ms Pang (@Agnes Recycles) can redeem a handmade foam net keychain, or with net spending of HK$2,000 (after applying all discounts) to redeem a sketch of Hong Kong’s scenery by her. Quantities are limited and available while stocks last.

HKTDC Design Gallery – LoveHK x Agnes Pang “A Green HK” Exhibition Details
Date: June 20 – July 9, 2023
Venue: G/F, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, 1 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Opening hours: Monday – Sunday & Public Holidays: 10:30 – 19:30
Enquiries: +65 2584 4146 / 2584 4149
Website: www.hkdesigngallery.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HKTDC.DesignGallery
Photo download: https://bit.ly/3qUu2v3

Editor’s Note: Interviews with Agnes Pang are welcome. Please contact the HKTDC Communications and Public Affairs Department for further arrangements.

About Agnes Pang
Agnes Pang is a local multimedia artist, educator and columnist with four degrees (BA, LLB, MBA & MAJSP), also known by her brand, Agnes Recycles. By working with disposable everyday objects, she creates vibrant, innovative, authentic, and colourful images of life. Her artistic genius has left its mark on many commercial and charity projects.

About HKTDC Design Gallery
Established by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council in 1991, the HKTDC Design Gallery’s mission is to promote the creativity, innovation and excellence of Hong Kong products, including toys, watches, jewelry, electronics, household items, gifts and premiums, clothing, and accessories.

The Design Gallery provides consignment services to designers for entering the retail market at a low cost. Its showcase rental services offer an excellent platform for designers to establish their brand image, effectively attracting the attention of international buyers from exhibitions and opening up new markets. Its business matching services give free access to designers and international buyer information, facilitating cooperation and deals. Its gift procurement services search for the most suitable corporate gifts according to the enterprise’s budget and needs.

The Design Gallery has two local branches located at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and Hong Kong International Airport respectively. To assist Hong Kong businesses in entering the mainland market, the Design Gallery has begun to develop in the mainland since 2009 and has established an online store in 2010. It is now operating e-commerce stores on “Taobao.com” and “JD International”. HKTDC Design Gallery website: http://www.hkdesigngallery.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

Media enquiries
HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Agnes Wat, Tel: +852 2584 4554, Email: agnes.ky.wat@hktdc.org

HKTDC Export Index 2Q23: Exporter confidence hits two-year high

  • Trade recovery set to accelerate in the second half of 2023

The HKTDC Export Index rose 8.8 points to 47.8 in the second quarter this year, showing better business sentiment among Hong Kong exporters after Mainland China’s borders reopened and business activities return to normal.

HKTDC Director of Research Ms Irina Fan [L] and Senior Economist Ms Cherry Yeung [R] announced the HKTDC Export Index for the second quarter of 2023 at a press conference today.

All major industries and export markets rallied except for clothing, with toys (55.4, up 7.5 points) and machinery (50.3, up 7.4 points) moving above 50 into expansion territory while, among markets, the European Union (51.4, up 9.4 points) and United States (51.1, up 6.7 points) turned positive for the first time in five years.

Based on a quarterly Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) survey of 500 exporters from six major industries – machinery, electronics, jewellery, timepieces, toys and clothing – the index at above 50 indicates an optimistic outlook, and below 50 pessimistic.

Export outlook upbeat
HKTDC Senior Economist Ms Cherry Yeung said three new sub-indices – inventory (48.5), current new orders (45.1) and expected new orders (53.6) – provided a more comprehensive exporter sentiment picture. Respondents – especially those from toys, timepieces and machinery sectors – expected strong growth in new export orders in July-September.

The profitability outlook improved as more respondents (66.3%, up 15.3 percentage points from the final quarter of last year) expected higher or stable net profit margins for this year.

“Against this backdrop, the city’s exporters have adjusted their business strategies, shifting the focus from cash-flow management to spending more resources on marketing, promotion and business matching (41.6%, up 11.7 percentage points from previous quarter) and diversifying sales into additional overseas markets (31.1%),” Ms Yeung said.

All sub-indices rise
Other sub-indices grew this quarter with the Trade Value Index and Employment Index edged up 0.8 point to 48.8 and 0.5 point to 48.1 respectively, while the Procurement Index leapt 15.9 points to 44.3.

The Offshore Trade Index, which tracks sentiment around shipments not passing through Hong Kong but managed by businesses within the city, soared 18.5 points to 46.5, “signalling a sustained recovery in demand for Hong Kong’s trading services”, Ms Yeung added.

Growing economic risks
The survey results also revealed a slower-than-expected recovery of cargo routed through Hong Kong. Only 13.4% (down 23.1 percentage points from previous quarter) of related respondents expected an increase this year. As of last month, the number of cross-boundary vehicles at all crossings for goods vehicles and containers reached a plateau at about 60% of the pre-pandemic level. Some industry players said reduced capacity had raised cross-border logistics costs between 20% and 30% from pre-pandemic levels, slowing the recovery.

The biggest risk was seen as an external one, with most respondents (66.1%, up 29.9 percentage points from the final quarter last year) recognising an economic slowdown or recession in overseas markets as the top challenge to export performance over the third quarter this year.

Sustained recovery
Affected by weakened global demand, a slower-than-expected recovery in cross-border land transport capacity, coupled with a longer-than-expected downcycle in the electronics sector, Hong Kong’s total exports fell 16.5% year-on-year in the first four months of this year. Among markets, the Middle East grew 11.5%, driven by the two economies’ closer economic and trade ties. Stimulated by a post-pandemic spike in demand in Mainland China and Macao, Hong Kong’s precious jewellery exports to the two markets surged 32% and 42% respectively.

HKTDC Director of Research Ms Irina Fan said the recovery was gathering momentum for the second half of this year which was likely to carry into next year. “However, traders remain cautious, with many concerned about the challenging external backdrop. The risk of escalating geopolitical tensions, may create uncertainties for electronics trade flows throughout the region, especially those relating to the semi-conductor industry,” she said.

Taking all these factors into account, HKTDC Research has revised its forecast for Hong Kong export growth this year down from earlier estimate of 5% to between 0% and 2%.

References
– HKTDC Research website: http://research.hktdc.com/
– HKTDC Export Index 2Q23: Confidence at Two-Year High https://bit.ly/3Nk5wfP
– 2023 Mid-Year Export Review: Recovery Set to Accelerate in the second half https://bit.ly/42Ay2y2
– Photo download: https://bit.ly/3Ce0P0A

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

Media enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC’s Communication and Public Affairs Department:
Beatrice Lam, Tel: +852 2584 4049, Email: beatrice.hy.lam@hktdc.org

HKTDC T-box programme launches new stream

  • Free support to help SMEs integrate ESG initiatives into business

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) will add a support stream to its Transformation Sandbox (T-box) programme to help Hong Kong companies integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives into business. The new stream is expected to organise 100 free consultation meetings and serve 500 small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in its first year, covering both manufacturing and services sectors, such as garments, electronics, lighting, houseware and gifts, as well as transport, catering and construction.

Ms Winsome Chan, Head of Marketing and Customer Service, HKTDC, Mr Simon Ng, Chief Executive Officer, Business Environment Council, Dr Patrick Lau, Deputy Executive Director, HKTDC and Ms Michelle Mak, Head of ESG and Enterprise Learning, Dun & Bradstreet (HK) Ltd [L-R]

HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Dr Patrick Lau said promoting sustainable development was an important theme globally; governments and multinational companies had set targets to cut carbon dioxide emissions, providing impetus for the green sector and encouraging Hong Kong businesses to move forward with sustainable development. In addition, ESG compliance had become a criterion for bank-loan approval and orders from premium buyers.

ESG is crucial for success
“ESG is no longer simply an option, but an important success factor. The HKTDC hopes this new service will become the strongest support for local business in their ESG transformation, encouraging more SMEs to take action to achieve sustainable development goals through adopting innovative eco solutions, as well as to bear social responsibilities and enhance corporate governance,” Dr Lau added.

To help SMEs navigate trends and apply ground-breaking technologies for solving long-lasting problems, the HKTDC and a number of organisations – including Business Environment Council (BEC) and Dun & Bradstreet (HK) Ltd – will cooperate to provide practical advice and information on sustainability transformation through consultation and workshops. ESG registration services will be offered at a discount.

The HKTDC will proactively collaborate with industry organisations and professional bodies to organise thematic workshops on social responsibility and corporate governance for SMEs, covering issues ranging from human resources and supply chain to risk management, cybersecurity and more.

Net-zero roadmaps for businesses
Business Environment Council (BEC) Chief Executive Officer Mr Simon Ng said severe climate challenges meant all business sectors should immediately act to formulate roadmaps and accelerate the net-zero transition.

“BEC will lead the local business community to build a sustainable ecosystem and continue to work with different stakeholders to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality through thought-leadership, innovative solutions, policy advocacy, strategic partnership, advisory services and environmental education,” he said.

Discounted ESG Registered(TM) Service
Dun & Bradstreet will offer special discounts for T-box members using the D&B ESG Registered(TM) service, to help them take the first steps towards sustainable transformation and enhance ESG data transparency, which helps firms that form part of global ESG supply chains.

Ms Michelle Mak, Head of ESG and Enterprise Learning, Dun & Bradstreet (HK) Ltd said ESG was about more than net-zero emissions; social responsibility and corporate governance were equally important. “To comply with ESG commitment, many MNCs (Multinational Corporations) have incorporated ESG controls into their supplier and vendor evaluation and selection process. D&B ESG Registered(TM) meets industry recognised sustainability standards such as SASB, GRI, TCFD, UN SDGs, UN PRI and CDP, those who successfully complete the required assessment will be given a badge as a recognition of commitment to disclosing ESG data, and SMEs’ efforts in ESG will help lift up corporate images and enhance competitive edges.”

Supporting over 3,000 SMEs
The HKTDC Transformation Sandbox (T-box) is a SME support programme launched in April 2020 to help businesses enhance competitiveness and achieve transformation goals in the areas of branding, e-commerce, manufacturing and supply chain solutions and new markets.

The T-box team supports SMEs over a three-month period with advisory services, workshops, government-funding information, market knowledge and networking opportunities to help them track market trends, improve skills and expand business connections. The programme has served more than 3,000 companies since launch. With the support of representatives from professional bodies, business associations, chambers of commerce, business partners as well as HKTDC overseas offices, about 850 consultation meetings have been arranged free of charge.

About T-Box x Dun & Bradstreet Hong Kong ESG Registered(TM) Service
https://smesupport.hktdc.com/en/s/dun-and-bradstreet

About BEC
Business Environment Council Limited (BEC) is an independent, charitable membership organisation, established by the business sector in Hong Kong. Since its establishment in 1992, BEC has been at the forefront of promoting environmental excellence by advocating the uptake of clean technologies and practices which reduce waste, conserve resources, prevent pollution and improve corporate environmental and social responsibility. BEC offers sustainable solutions and professional services covering advisory, research, assessment, training and award programmes for government, business and the community, thus enabling environmental protection and contributing to the transition to a net-zero economy.

About Dun & Bradstreet
Dun & Bradstreet, a leading global provider of business decisioning data and analytics, enables companies around the world to improve their business performance. Dun & Bradstreet’s Data Cloud fuels solutions and delivers insights that empower customers to accelerate revenue, lower cost, mitigate risk and transform their businesses. Since 1841, companies of every size have relied on Dun & Bradstreet to help them manage risk and reveal opportunity. For details, please visit www.dnb.com.hk

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

Media Enquiries
HKTDC’s Communications and Public Affairs Department
Beatrice Lam, Tel: +852 2584 4049, Email: beatrice.hy.lam@hktdc.org

Photo download: https://bit.ly/43jxXA3

Chic Hong Kong boosts Hong Kong-Shenzhen economic dynamics

  • Attracted 200,000 consumers to help Hong Kong brands expand

Chic Hong Kong, jointly organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government, concluded successfully yesterday. The HKTDC brought together nearly 80 exhibitors showcasing over 130 brands at the three-day shopping festival in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

A flagship event of Guangdong-Hong Kong Cooperation Week, Chic Hong Kong enabled Hong Kong brands to reach a wider consumer base and provided them a stepping stone to the mainland market. The shopping festival brought together nearly 80 exhibitors, of which 40% are new to the mainland market. The 3-day event attracted 200,000 visitors, facilitating trade between and boosting consumption in Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

Stephen Liang, Assistant Executive Director of the HKTDC, said: “The success of Chic Hong Kong creates opportunities for Hong Kong brands to tap into the mainland market. It also underlines Hong Kong’s commitment to deepen cooperation with the mainland and drive high-quality development in the GBA.”

The shopping festival comprised three themed exhibition areas: Chic Living, Chic Style and Chic Taste, highlighting a diversity of trendy products from Hong Kong.

One of the exhibitors Mr Angus Au, Co-founder & Chief Marketing Officer of Allklear said, “Chic Hong Kong is our first attempt to explore the Mainland China market after the resumption of normal travel between Hong Kong and the mainland. The event gave us a better understanding of the huge potential of healthy foods in the mainland market and consumer preferences in the Greater Bay Area.”

Another exhibitor Ms Li, a representative from Telford said, “We brought over 30 cases of tea, which sold out on the first night, with some customers immediately placing orders online. Thanks to strong social media promotion, joining this event was very effective in raising our brand awareness and helping us test the market response to our new products.”

In addition to products, Chic Hong Kong also featured over 100 activities, such as Hong Kong artist Gigi Yim’s live performance, the grand finals of the GBA 9+2 street dance competition, a demonstration of KamCha Hong Kong Style Milk Tea brewing, a cappella performances, magic shows and more. Moreover, social media influencers from Guangdong and Hong Kong, including renowned Hong Kong vegetarian expert Mr Elvis Chan and ketogenic diet expert Ms Hayden Leung demonstrated how to prepare healthy delicacies for festival visitors.

The HKTDC will continue launching a series of promotional campaigns in the GBA. The Support Scheme for Pursuing Development in the Mainland will also organise business tours and provide training for companies. Furthermore, the HKTDC’s GoGBA one-stop platform, GBA Centre and GoGBA business support centres provide year-round consultation, information and business matching services for Hong Kong and overseas businesses and help Hong Kong businesses seek opportunities in the GBA and expand via the Hong Kong platform. The HKTDC will continue to bring exhibitors from the GBA to Hong Kong to seize business opportunities.

The HKTDC Transformation Sandbox (T-box), Digital Academy and E-tailing Academy will continue to provide comprehensive business support and training for SMEs, to help them upgrade and transform and capture opportunities in the GBA.

Websites
– Chic HK: https://portal.hktdc.com/chic-hk/
– Media Room: http://mediaroom.hktdc.com
– Photo download: https://rb.gy/q86qk

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

About Create Hong Kong
Create Hong Kong (CreateHK) is a dedicated office set up by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR Government) in June 2009 to spearhead the development of creative industries in Hong Kong. From 1 July 2022 onwards, it is under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau. Its strategic foci are to nurture talent and facilitate start-ups, explore markets, promote cross-sectoral and cross-genre collaboration, and promote Hong Kong as Asia’s creative capital and foster a creative atmosphere in the community.

Disclaimer for Hong Kong Masterpiece Gallery The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region provides funding support to the project only, and does not otherwise take part in the project. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these materials/events (or by members of the project team) are those of the project organisers only and do not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, Create Hong Kong, the CreateSmart Initiative Secretariat or the CreateSmart Initiative Vetting Committee.

Media enquiries
For media enquiries, please contact

Ruder Finn
Keylor Dai, Tel.: +86 13760604504, E-mail: Keylor.dai@rfcomms.com
Yanice Zhong, Tel.: +86 13437822368, E-mail: Yanice.zhong@rfcomms.com

HKTDC’s Communications and Public Affairs Department
Janet Chan, Tel.: +852 2584 4369, E-mail: janet.ch.chan@hktdc.org

HKTDC’s Guangzhou and Shenzhen Office Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Robin Chen, Tel.: +86 13829724291, E-mail: robin.rc.chen@hktdc.org
Nora Li, Tel.: +86 13556821118, E-mail: nora.w.li@hktdc.org
Cherry Lin, Tel.: +86 13459410661, E-mail: cherry.w.lin@hktdc.org

Chic Hong Kong Grand Opening at COCO Park Shenzhen

  • Bringing together 130+ stylish Hong Kong brands, showcasing the city’s charm

Consumers in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) can look forward to experiencing three days of fashion and stylish shopping with the opening today of the Chic Hong Kong shopping festival. Jointly hosted by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government, and held at the COCO Park shopping mall in Shenzhen’s Futian District, the event is the first large-scale promotion of Hong Kong consumer goods in the GBA following the complete lifting of border-crossing restrictions.

(front row from left) Ms Margaret Fong, HKTDC Executive Director; Mr Zeng Pai, Standing Committee Member of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee; Mr John Lee, HKSAR Chief Executive; Mr Qin Weizhong, Mayor of the Shenzhen Municipal Government; Dr Peter K N Lam, HKTDC Chairman; and Mr Gao Shengyuan, Secretary General of Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government
Mr John Lee, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony
The shopping festival comprises three main themed exhibition areas: Chic Living, Chic Style, and Chic Taste. Quality products and an engaging experience will ensure everyone enjoys a memorable and rewarding experience

Nearly 80 exhibitors with over 130 Hong Kong brands, will be showcasing “Hong Kong style” across food, lifestyle, and fashion.

The event is organized by HKTDC GBA Centre, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Shenzhen Municipal Committee, Commerce Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality, and The People’s Government of Futian District, with the support of Cyberspace Administration of Shenzhen Municipality, PRD Council of Federation of Hong Kong Industries, Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in Guangdong, Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce Qianhai, and GBA-IDA.

New opportunities in GBA; Shenzhen-Hong Kong join forces to boost consumption
Among the distinguished guests attending the grand opening of the Chic Hong Kong shopping festival were Mr John Lee, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Mr Qin Weizhong, Mayor of the Shenzhen Municipal Government; Mr Zeng Pai, Standing Committee Member of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee; Mr Gao Shengyuan, Secretary General of Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government; Dr Peter K N Lam, Chairman of the HKTDC; and Ms Margaret Fong, Executive Director of the HKTDC.

In his welcome address, Dr Peter K N Lam highlighted the council’s long-standing commitment to helping Hong Kong enterprises expand their presence in the Chinese mainland.

“With the complete lifting of border-crossing restrictions earlier this year, the economic recovery in the Greater Bay Area has gained strong momentum, and the two-way passenger flow between Shenzhen and Hong Kong continues to increase, demonstrating the new progress in their integration. Seizing the favourable momentum, the Chic Hong Kong shopping festival was conceived and chosen to be held in Shenzhen, a city with a robust fashion consumer market, to promote Hong Kong’s high-quality brands and product designs to consumers in the Greater Bay Area and mainland cities, and to drive the development of the domestic circulation economy and intra-regional exchanges within the Greater Bay Area.”

The HKTDC also plans to assist Hong Kong enterprises in connecting with new media and new retail channels through the GoGBA one-stop platform and the Mainland Development Support Scheme, enabling them to establish their brands through innovative models and expand their domestic sales market.

Explore the best of HK brands in one place.
The Chic Hong Kong shopping festival comprises three themed exhibition areas: Chic Living, Chic Style, and Chic Taste. These areas are situated in the Outdoor Star Plaza on Floor B1, the indoor atrium on L1, and just outside the venue. Products on show encompass a wide range, including consumer electronics and technology products, smart home goods, fashionable clothing and accessories, as well as food, beverages, and health products. Among the nearly 80 exhibitors, 40% are making their debut in the mainland market, using this event as a springboard to establish business ties.

The event features Hong Kong brands and “chic” items based on innovation, sustainable design, green and healthy living, original design and other trendy elements, like Hong Kong food technology startup Allklear’s drinkable nutritional salad, Koofy Development’s Surfwheel smart electric skateboard, sustainable brand iFarmaissance’s plant-based vegan leather handbag series, and KIBO’s eco-friendly leather casual shoes.

Hong Kong’s highly-rated fashion design prowess is also on display with fashion clothing brand SPARKLE COLLECTION, home furnishing brand JARDIN DES FONTAINES, and professional ceramic tableware brand Loveramics showcasing their creativity. The shopping festival also gathers a collection of widely recognized classic Hong Kong brands, like Chow Sang Sang, Chow Tai Fook, Kee Wah, Kampery, Four Seas, Lee Kum Kee, and Pat Chun, all exhibiting iconic products and newly launched items.

During the festival, the HKTDC will concurrently host the Hong Kong Masterpiece Gallery. Sponsored by Create Hong Kong of the Hong Kong SAR Government, the exhibition will feature 13 emerging Hong Kong designers and over 20 exceptional or award-winning products to emphasise the strengths and benefits the city’s design and creative industries can offer.

Celebrities and influencers join for a spectacular on-site experience.
At the opening ceremony, Hong Kong’s rising star Gigi Yim Ming-hay delivered a passionate performance, setting the stage for three days of fun, music, magic and much more.

Altogether, over 100 activities will be open to the public including the grand finals of the “9+2” street dance competition, a surprising demonstration of KamCha Hong Kong Style Milk Tea brewing, acapella performances, freestyle basketball displays, close-up magic shows, a parade featuring stilt-walking magicians, flash mobs, energetic hip-hop performances, and portrait painting.

HKTDC has invited a number of social media influencers from Guangdong and Hong Kong to join and support the event with daily live-streaming about what the event has to offer consumers and features on their personal favourite products. Renowned Hong Kong vegetarian expert Elvis Chan and ketogenic diet expert Hayden Leung will also be there to share some ideas on how to prepare healthy delicacies.

There is also a not-to-be-missed immersive space at the venue where visitors can surround themselves in Hong Kong’s vibrant culture through light and shadow using the latest projection-based technology.

Rewards, offers and prizes
The Chic Hong Kong Shopping Festival has also lined up a host of enticing offers and prizes to make sure everyone enjoys a memorable and rewarding experience. HKTDC has launched a city-wide promotional campaign to attract as many people as possible to the event.

Shenzhen residents can take part in topic discussions on Dianping (a popular review platform) and use the hashtag #HongKongNewTrend to have a chance to win a 50 RMB e-voucher.

There will also be exciting perks at the show like check-in rewards and shopping incentives. Consumers who spend 100 RMB or more at the Chic Hong Kong booths can enter a daily lucky draw, where an impressive array of rewards awaits lucky participants.

Chic Hong Kong
– Date: 26-28 May, 2023 (Friday to Sunday)
– Location: COCO Park, Futian District, Shenzhen (the Outdoor Star Plaza on Floor B1, the indoor atrium on L1, and outdoors)
– Opening hours: 10:00 to 22:30 (May 26-27); 10:00 to 22:00 (May 28)
– Entrance Fee: Free
– Scan the mini-program QR code for more information: https://tinyurl.com/24h3t3hc
– WeChat Store: https://tinyurl.com/dtuu6s8m
– Hosts: Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC); the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government
– Organisers: HKTDC GBA Centre; China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Shenzhen Municipal Committee; Commerce Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality; and The People’s Government of Futian District
– Support Units: Cyberspace Administration of Shenzhen Municipality; PRD Council of Federation of Hong Kong Industries; Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in Guangdong; Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce Qianhai; and GBA-IDA
– Executive unit: The Shenzhen International Chamber of Commerce

Websites
– Chic HK: https://portal.hktdc.com/chic-hk/
– Media Room: http://mediaroom.hktdc.com
– Photo Download: https://bit.ly/42dtoWy

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

About Create Hong Kong
Create Hong Kong (CreateHK) is a dedicated office set up by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR Government) in June 2009 to spearhead the development of creative industries in Hong Kong. From 1 July 2022 onwards, it is under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau. Its strategic foci are nurturing talent and facilitating start-ups, exploring markets, promoting cross-sectoral and cross-genre collaboration, and promoting Hong Kong as Asia’s creative capital and fostering a creative atmosphere in the community.

Disclaimer for Hong Kong Masterpiece Gallery The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region provides funding support to the project only, and does not otherwise take part in the project. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these materials/events (or by members of the project team) are those of the project organisers only and do not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, Create Hong Kong, the CreateSmart Initiative Secretariat or the CreateSmart Initiative Vetting Committee. To view press releases in Chinese, please visit http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/tc

Media enquiries
For media enquiries, please contact
Ruder Finn
Keylor Dai, Tel.: +86 13760604504, E-mail: Keylor.dai@rfcomms.com
Yanice Zhong, Tel.: +86 13437822368, E-mail: Yanice.zhong@rfcomms.com

HKTDC’s Communications and Public Affairs Department
Janet Chan, Tel.: +852 2584 4369, E-mail: janet.ch.chan@hktdc.org

HKTDC’s Guangzhou and Shenzhen Office Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Robin Chen, Tel.: +86 13829724291, E-mail: robin.rc.chen@hktdc.org
Nora Li, Tel.: +86 13556821118, E-mail: nora.w.li@hktdc.org
Cherry Lin, Tel.: +86 13459410661, E-mail: cherry.w.lin@hktdc.org

SmartHK attracts about 2,000 participants

  • Campaign to boost Hong Kong-mainland links returns to strengthen cooperation and exchanges in the GBA

SmartHK, a flagship event of the Guangdong-Hong Kong Cooperation Week, drew about 2,000 business elites to Guangzhou today, boosting cooperation between Hong Kong and the mainland centres of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

SmartHK was successfully held at the Shangri-La Hotel in Guangzhou
Mr John Lee, Chief Executive of the HKSAR (6th L), Mr Wang Weizhong, Governor of Guangdong Province (7th L) , Mr Yin Zonghua, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in HKSAR (5th L), Dr Peter K N Lam, Chairman of the HKTDC (5th R) and Ms Margaret Fong, Executive Director of the HKTDC (3rd R)
The GBA Youth Entrepreneur Summit, exclusively sponsored by Hang Seng Bank, gathered scientific research entrepreneurs, Young Entrepreneur Summit and venture-capital fund managers from the GBA to promote talent exchanges and discuss the entrepreneurial opportunities and challenges in the GBA

The conference, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Guangdong Provincial Department of Commerce, featured an exhibition area and start-up pitching sessions as well as on-site business matchmaking to facilitate connections between companies from Hong Kong and Guangdong. Hong Kong-Guangdong Cooperation Week runs from today to 7 June in the GBA, accelerating collaboration and exchange among Hong Kong and Guangdong government departments, organisations, chambers of commerce and trade associations through more than 20 business and trade activities across GBA cities.

Mr John Lee, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mr Wang Weizhong, Governor of Guangdong Province, and Dr Peter K N Lam, Chairman of the HKTDC, presided over the opening ceremony of Guangdong-Hong Kong Cooperation Week and SmartHK earlier today.

Mr Lee said: “The development of the GBA, which was personally planned, deployed and advocated by President Xi Jinping, is a key development strategy for the reform and development of the country in the new era, and the best entry point for Hong Kong to better integrate into the overall development of the country.” He also pointed out, “full resumption of normal travel between Hong Kong and Mainland China meant the flow of people between Hong Kong and Guangdong had resumed and the ‘one-hour living circle’ in the GBA had made same-day travel very convenient. My team and I would make frequent visits to the GBA to promote interconnection and interoperability, advancing quality development and facilitating Hong Kong’s active integration into the overall development of the country.”

Dr Lam pointed out that Hong Kong’s development had been closely tied with that of Guangdong for many years. As two core GBA cities, Hong Kong and Guangzhou had long maintained close cooperation and complemented each other’s advantages in various fields, such as finance, innovation and technology and the creative sector.

Mr Wang hoped the business communities of Guangdong and Hong Kong could fully leverage this forum and the Guangdong-Hong Kong Cooperation Week to further promote high-level economic and trade cooperation and high-quality development between the two regions. He encouraged Hong Kong entrepreneurs to boost cooperation with Guangdong in areas such as technological innovation, advanced manufacturing, modernised services and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) tourism. He also urged greater investment in Guangdong, especially in the eastern, western, and northern parts of the province, and active collaboration with Guangdong enterprises to explore international markets. Guangdong would strive to create a market-oriented, rule-of-law-based, and internationally oriented business environment, provide excellent conditions and first-class services for domestic and foreign investors, including Hong Kong enterprises. Guangdong would strongly support and actively promote high-quality development of Hong Kong and support Hong Kong’s better integration into national development. Guangdong was committed to making efforts and contributions to ensure the stable, long-term implementation of the One Country, Two Systems principle.

Top of Form
Exploring the road to high-quality development
Following the opening ceremony, the thematic sharing forum discussed professional strengths of Hong Kong and other GBA cities. Mr Adam Kwok, Executive Director of Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited, Dr Levin Wang, CEO of Huatai Financial Holdings (Hong Kong) Limited, Mr Ronald Lam, CEO of Cathay Pacific Group and Mr Xu Shaochun, Chairman and CEO of Kingdee International Software Group Company Limited, discussed opportunities GBA development brought from four perspectives – co-constructing a sustainable city development model; creating a dual system of finance and technology innovation; developing a high-quality aviation industry and collaborating with Hong Kong for global business expansion.

Subsequent forums co-organised by the HKTDC and partners, such as InvestHK, Hong Kong Monetary Authority, HKSAR Development Bureau and the Hong Kong Construction Industry Council, focused on cross-border asset management, green finance, sustainable urban living, green & smart building technologies and more.

Building a talent hub
To further address the importance of fostering talents and respond to the national strategy of supporting youth development, SmartHK introduced the GBA Youth Entrepreneur Summit, exclusively sponsored by Hang Seng Bank, which assembled scientific research entrepreneurs, young entrepreneur and venture capital fund managers from the GBA. Mr Fang Xin, COO of EHang, Mr Zhan Peixun, Co-founder and CSO of Shenzhen Unity-Drive Innovation Technology Co, Ltd, Ms Edith Law, Director of Fashion Farm Foundation, and Prof Karen Chan, Executive Director of German Pool Group Co, Ltd, discussed entrepreneurial opportunities and challenges in the GBA.

The successful Smart+ start-up pitching event returned and continued to focus on research and enterprise collaboration, creating opportunities for start-ups to introduce projects and thereby break into the GBA market. The 17 candidates came from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, Sino Inno Lab and the HKTDC’s Start-up Express, covering AI and blockchain, medical and health, and new ESG technologies and materials.

Driving complementarity with innovation
The five exhibition zones featured 70 Hong Kong companies from professional services, technological innovation, industry & academic research, creative design and other sectors introducing Hong Kong’s professional services, and providing on-site business matching services and one-on-one opportunities for Hong Kong exhibitors and GBA enterprise representatives to deepen exchanges explore new partnerships.

In the form of short talks, SmartHK’s debut GBA Live Studio aimed to extend the event to other GBA cities and enable online participation. The conversations helped audiences to better understand the ways in which Hong Kong’s professional services could help them achieve high-quality development.

Tomorrow, on 25 May, an HKTDC-organised delegation will further explore Guangzhou to gain a better understanding of the latest developments in the digital economy. It will explore opportunities in innovation and technology and related industries to accelerate multi-level Hong Kong-Guangdong cooperation in the fields of economy, technology and finance between.

The HKTDC has proactively advocated cooperation between Hong Kong and Guangdong and Hong Kong’s integration in the GBA. The annual SmartHK launched in 2011 as a flagship event in mainland cities such as Chengdu, Fuzhou, Jinan and Nanjing to create business opportunities for local and mainland enterprises.

Another flagship Guangdong-Hong Kong Cooperation Week, Chic HK, will be held from tomorrow to 28 May in Shenzhen to promote Hong Kong’s professional services and fashion brands to the business community and public in the GBA.

The HKTDC also plans a brand-new public exhibition CHILL11 at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong, promoting Hong Kong’s cultural and creative industries, particularly design, music, and digital entertainment, to enhance cultural exchange within the GBA and promote Hong Kong as a cultural and creative hub.

SmartHK: https://portal.hktdc.com/smarthk/
Hong Kong-Guangdong Cooperation Week: https://gdhkcooperationweek.hktdc.com/
Media Room HKTDC: http://mediaroom.hktdc.com
Photo download: https://bit.ly/3OAyJEg

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

Media Enquiries
HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Eric Wong, Tel: +852 2584 4575, Email: eric.ks.wong@hktdc.org
Sunny Ng, Tel: +852 2584 4514, Email: sunny.sl.ng@hktdc.org

Healthcare Week boon for medical industry

  • Two flagship events attract global healthcare elites, affirming confidence for Hong Kong’s stronger role in the medical and healthcare sector in the region

Global healthcare sector leaders streamed into Hong Kong for the second International Healthcare Week, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). As the flagship Healthcare Week events, the third Asia Summit on Global Health (ASGH) and the 14th Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair (Medical Fair) featured fruitful discussions on a wide range of topics including the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area as an innovation powerhouse, complemented by exchanges on Chinese-Western medicine, aging and women innovators. This flagship event has confirmed Hong Kong’s status as an international R&D and business healthcare platform, where university research projects have been linked with potential investors and innovative medical devices promoted to international markets.

The third Asia Summit on Global Health (ASGH) attracted over 2,500 participants from 40 countries and regions
Connected through Deal-making in last Asia Summit on Global Health, representatives from Centre for Eye and Vision Research Limited, a local university research centre, and Cloudbreak Pharma Incorporated signed a MOU on ocular science research on the first day of the Summit, witnessed by HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Dr Patrick Lau (2nd from left, back row)
HKTDC Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair features the latest medical and healthcare products and technologies

The ASGH attracted over 2,500 participants from 40 countries and regions. The Medical Fair welcomed over 10,000 visitors from 56 countries and regions. More than 300 one-on-one deal-making sessions and over 600 business-matching meetings were also arranged to help participants seize business opportunities.

Dr Peter K N Lam, Chairman of the HKTDC, said: “Drawing on its strengths in scientific research, a world-class medical system, a highly skilled workforce, strong financing and fundraising capabilities and advanced logistics and transportation infrastructure, and backed by the huge market of the Greater Bay Area, Hong Kong is the preferred hub and perfect springboard into Asia for the growing healthcare market.

“The strong support from the healthcare industry for the Healthcare Week is overwhelming. It has created synergies for medical and healthcare industry professionals and unleashed Hong Kong’s strengths in upstream and downstream healthcare industries, Hong Kong is ready to play a bigger role in the medical and healthcare fields in the region,” Dr Lam added.

ASGH: thematic sessions examine hot topics
ASGH, co-organised by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the HKTDC, continued to bring together healthcare leaders, innovators and investors. The first-day Plenary Session: Reimagining the Future of Healthcare invited Sir Jonathan Symonds, CBE, Chair, GSK as one of the speakers. He said: “When COVID struck, the world didn’t collaborate in the way that it should have. There will be another COVID. We cannot operate in the same way as we did. We must tackle global problems globally.” Another speaker, Mr Tatsuo Yasunaga, Representative Director, Chair of the Board of Directors, Mitsui & Co., Ltd, noted: “In implementing value-based healthcare, we try to achieve both clinical outcome improvement and cost savings. We expect to achieve the first goal through new drug and medical device developments and health risk management. We are also moving towards personalised healthcare to bridge the gap between medical care and prevention.”

The Unleashing Opportunities in Integrative Chinese-Western Medicine session today examined research, treatment and medicine developments that transformed markets in Asia and abroad. The session showcased the potential for complementary, integrative healthcare and highlighted the business opportunities that collaboration between Chinese and Western medicine presented.

Mr Abraham Chan, Founder, Chairman, CEO and Executive Director at PuraPharm said modernising Chinese medicine included standardising products by creating standardised granules from herbs. Computer programmes let practitioners diagnose conditions and dispense treatments. Big data collected by practitioners helped improve products and perform drug discovery.

Noting Hong Kong’s high life expectancy and increase in the elderly population, panelists at the Ageing Well: Breakthroughs and Investment Landscape in Longevity session said this presented both challenges and opportunities, such as drug discovery, research financing and monitoring gadgets.

Dr Donald Li, Chairman of the Elderly Commission, said higher demand for a wide range of healthcare products and services generated opportunities. This was especially true of monitoring devices allowing the elderly to live at home safely.

Medical Fair: A proven platform reaching out to global buyers

The Medical Fair, organised by the HKTDC and co-organised by the Hong Kong Medical and Healthcare Device Industries Association (HKMHDIA) ran under the HKTDC’s EXHIBITION+ hybrid model. The physical fair at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) successfully closed today, while exhibitors and buyers from around the world can continue conducting business online via the Click2Match smart business-matching platform until 25 May.

University projects showcased
In recent years, the Hong Kong SAR Government has actively promoted collaboration between the government, industry, academia and researchers by bringing together enterprises, universities and research institutes to cooperate and promote technological innovation.

At ASGH, the hybrid InnoHealth Showcase and exhibition zone featured projects and solutions from more than 140 healthcare-related innovative technology enterprises, from which 50 of the enterprises and projects are presented by five local major universities, namely CUHK, HKBU, HKU, HKUST and PolyU. The Co-founder, Director & Chief Scientific Advisor of exhibitor Gut Rhythm R&D (Hong Kong) Limited Prof John Anthony Rudd said: “The event was highly successful for us. We gained a lot of exposure and were able to attract several potential investors. We also learned a lot and are very confident we could move forward.”

Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) and Cyberport joined ASGH as Health Innovation Partners from which ITC showcased 16 health-related InnoHK R&D centres to demonstrate Hong Kong’s strength as a global innovation powerhouse.

Numerous companies in the healthcare industry as well as six local universities and various enterprises supported by the universities, which are commercialising their research and development accomplishments, joined the Medical Fair to showcase cutting-edge medical products and technologies. Among the university-affiliated companies are Sramek Insight Limited, Herbap Biotech, Agilis Robotics, Metasurgical Technology, Cellomics International and Greater Bay Biotechnology.

This year’s fair, the largest in its history, assembled more than 300 exhibitors to feature the latest medical technologies and equipment, healthcare products and solutions and related services, drawing many buyers and industry professionals to source both onsite and online.

“I am glad that I met nearly 100 representatives from various medical organisations, our main target customers. I estimate that this fair will make over 60% of our yearly sales,” said Mr King-Wah Tai, a sales representative for medical facility manufacturer Janley Limited (HK). The company has participated in the Medical Fair since 2014 and has benefited greatly from this year’s fair. “Taking this chance to interact with people from the sector, understand what they need and how they think is very important to our business. The fair is not just for generating sales but also the perfect place to gain insight,” Mr Tai added.

Mr Valentin Cipian Pantea, Manager of Neomed S.R.L. from Romania, visited the Medical Fair to look for new medical-uniform manufacturers. “I plan to order about US$200,000 worth of products and hope to build a long-term relationship with them. Besides, using the Click2Match platform, I made a valuable business connection with a manufacturer from Mainland China. The platform is very helpful in getting to know people entirely out of our usual circle.”

A number of content-rich events, including the highly anticipated HKMHDIA Medical Fair Forum, were held during the Medical Fair with keen participation from industry professionals. Those who missed the seminars can watch replay videos on the fair’s website at https://bit.ly/3DNBBXy.

Websites
– International Healthcare Week: https://internationalhealthcareweek.hktdc.com/en
– Asia Summit On Global Health: https://www.asiasummitglobalhealth.com/conference/asgh/en
– Programme: https://www.asiasummitglobalhealth.com/conference/asgh/en/programme
– Speakers: https://www.asiasummitglobalhealth.com/conference/asgh/en/speaker
– Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair: https://www.hktdc.com/event/hkmedicalfair/en
– Interesting product list and Activity schedule: https://bit.ly/3V9mv6S
– Media Room: http://mediaroom.hktdc.com
– Photo download: https://bit.ly/3pTmGI0

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

Media enquiries
For enquiries please contact:
Asia Summit on Global Health
Yuan Tung Financial Relations:
Anson Wong, Tel: +852 3428 3413, Email: awong@yuantung.com.hk
Agnes Yiu, Tel: +852 3428 5690, Email: ayiu@yuantung.com.hk
Hing-Fung Wong, Tel: +852 3428 3122, Email: hfwong@yuantung.com.hk

HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Janet Chan, Tel: +852 2584 4369, Email: janet.ch.chan@hktdc.org
Agnes Wat, Tel: +852 2584 4554, Email: agnes.ky.wat@hktdc.org

Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair
HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Frankie Leung, Tel: +852 2584 4298, Email: frankie.cy.leung@hktdc.org

Asia Summit on Global Health gathers 90+ global elites

  • Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair showcases state-of the-art healthcare solutions from 300 exhibitors

The second International Healthcare Week (IHW), organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), kicked off yesterday, highlighting Hong Kong’s strategic role as an innovation and investment hub for the healthcare industry in Asia and its position as a research and business platform for global healthcare development. A flagship event of IHW, the third Asia Summit on Global Health (ASGH) opened today (17 May), while another highlighted event, the 14th edition of the HKTDC Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair, began yesterday.

The third Asia Summit on Global Health, co-organised by the HKSAR Government and the HKTDC, began today under the theme “Reimagining the Future of Healthcare”
Dr Peter K N Lam, HKTDC Chairman, gives his welcome remarks
The Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair features several exhibition zones such as Biotechnology, Hospital Equipment, Rehabilitation and Elderly Care Products, Health and Personal Care, and Medical and Healthcare Supplies.

The two-day ASGH, co-organised by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the HKTDC, takes place in person at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) today, with tomorrow’s second day being entirely virtual. This year’s summit runs under the theme “Reimagining the Future of Healthcare” and features more than 90 speakers from 20 countries and regions, including healthcare officials and organisations, international science and medical experts, university academics and researchers, investors, business leaders and financial specialists. They are discussing the latest developments in public health, medical technology and healthcare investment to comprehensively explore the future of the healthcare ecosystem and the opportunities it presents.

Mr John Lee, Chief Executive of the HKSAR, delivered the ASGH’s opening remarks this morning, with Dr Peter K N Lam, HKTDC Chairman, giving the welcome address. Ms Yu Yanhong, Member of the Leading Party Members’ Group of the National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China and Secretary of the Leading Party Members’ Group of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, delivered special remarks. Dr Peter K N Lam said: “As we find ourselves on the road to recovery, it is an opportune time to look back at the last few years and outline our vision for the global healthcare industry in the years ahead. I am sure we can all agree that we must make the industry more resilient and sustainable for future generations to withstand any health crises. And Hong Kong is the ideal location for the healthcare community to reimagine a bright future for the industry.”

In his opening remarks, Mr John Lee said: “Less than two weeks ago, the World Health Organization declared an end to the classification of COVID-19 as a ‘public health emergency of international concern’. Here in Hong Kong, and throughout the world, life, and business, is returning to normal. The Hong Kong SAR Government, working together with our R&D and I&T institutions, businesses and professionals, is committed to building a more resilient and sustainable global health system. This Summit, I’m confident, will move us all along in the right direction, a shared determination to build the highest, most inclusive, standard of health and prosperity we can offer our economies, our societies and our communities.”

In her special remarks to the audience, Ms Yu Yanhong said: “The 20th National Party Congress emphasised the importance of fostering a ‘Healthy China’ and giving strategic priority to the protection of the population’s health. We hope to promote mutual development by collaborating with Asia’s medical and health professionals. This includes enhancing collaboration in medical technology innovation and clinical applications, combining the strengths of biomedical research and industry, complementing each other’s resources for mutual benefit, and focusing on global, open development to create a global community of health for all.”

Also addressing the summit this morning was Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), who said: “While COVID-19 may no longer be a global health emergency, the threat of another more disruptive pathogen remains. To keep the world safer against emergencies of all kinds, the WHO has proposed a framework for stronger governance, financing, systems and tools, and is supporting the international pandemic accord now being negotiated by countries. It is time to end the cycle of panic and neglect in health, and work together to build a new future that’s equitable, inclusive and coherent.”

Charting healthcare progress in the post-pandemic era to explore opportunities

In the post-pandemic world, the top priority is to reimagine the future of healthcare, with key business leaders, pharmaceutical giants, investors and global health pioneers all needing to contribute to improvements in patient care. This morning’s “Plenary Session: Reimagining the Future of Healthcare”, moderated by Mr Victor Chu, Chairman & CEO of First Eastern Investment Group, invited Sir Douglas Flint, Chairman of abrdn plc and Chairman of the IP Group, as guest speaker for the first part of the session, the Fireside Chat. Sir Douglas said: “The pandemic has demonstrated the importance of multidisciplinary, multi-country collaboration in addressing global health challenges. With its young population, rising research and development and exceptional scientific talent pool, Asia will play a leading role in global healthcare development going forward. Hong Kong’s efforts to attract talent and investment to the region and to build regulatory frameworks that bridge Asian and Western scientific research and development are also vital.”

This was followed by “Plenary Talk: The Future of Healthcare as Enabled by Technology and AI”, with Dr Gerald L Chan, co-founder of the Morningside Group, invited to explain how AI can help facilitate future developments in the healthcare industry. Dr Chan said: “The explosive rise in the demand for healthcare as well as healthcare costs, combined with an increase in life expectancy, is putting a strain on global healthcare systems. In the face of this demand-supply imbalance, the only way to bridge the gap is to use scalable technology, such as data and artificial intelligence. This will allow us to augment the system so that, despite limited resources, we can care for more patients and meet the seemingly insatiable demand for healthcare.”

Tomorrow (18 May) will see a diverse array of online sessions covering topics such as AI, biotechnology, the new focus on Asian healthcare, climate change and health, the future direction of healthcare services, women innovators and investors in healthcare, breakthroughs and the investment landscape in longevity, opportunities in integrative Chinese-Western medicine, and mental health and holistic wellness. Sharing their insights will be scholars, medical specialists, research and innovation leaders, and financial elites from Asia and around the world.

Holistic platform to connect investment projects and boost collaboration
This year’s summit features ASGH Deal-Making from 17 to 23 May, connecting project owners with potential investors and business partners worldwide and covering projects such as pharmaceuticals, medical devices and diagnostics, AI and digital health, community health and wellness. The InnoHealth Showcase and exhibition area, running both online and offline, features projects and services from more than 140 innovative technology companies related to the healthcare industry, allowing them to connect with investors from around the world. Among them, 50 innovative start-ups and projects are led by five local universities, including the University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong Baptist University and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, many of which won multiple awards at this year’s Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions. The Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) and Cyberport continue to be Health Innovation Partners of the summit and are showcasing their solutions at the event. ITC has gathered 16 research centres under the InnoHK initiative to demonstrate Hong Kong’s strength as a global research hub. And today’s Business of Healthcare Advisory Zone targets biotechnology and healthcare start-ups with a range of consulting services offered by investors and industry experts.

Cutting-edge medical devices and technological solutions at Medical Fair
The Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair, organised by the HKTDC and co-organised by the Hong Kong Medical and Healthcare Device Industries Association (HKMHDIA), showcases cutting-edge medical devices and technological solutions under the theme “Unleash the Power of Smart Health”. The fair has attracted more than 300 exhibitors from local and international markets, including Canada, Mainland China, Japan, Taiwan and the United States. This year’s fair is the biggest in the event’s history, with many exhibitors investing more resources than before the pandemic.

This year’s themed zones at the fair include Biotechnology, Hospital Equipment, Rehabilitation and Elderly Care, World of Health and Wellness, and Medical Supplies and Disposables. There are also exclusive exhibition areas for the HKMHDIA, Hong Kong China Federation of Bodybuilding & Fitness, and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks (HKSTP). The zones showcase a range of cutting-edge medical technologies and instruments, healthcare products and related services.

Among the exhibitors, one company is showcasing a “telehealth management platform” that enables medical staff to monitor patients’ blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation and body temperature in real-time using Bluetooth medical devices (Booth: 3E-E27). Another exhibitor is introducing an “electronic stethoscope” that allows healthcare professionals to conduct remote auscultation (Booth: 3D-E01).

The Medical Fair has invited six local universities, including the University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University and Lingnan University, to showcase their R&D achievements in the medical and healthcare field, while the exhibition area set up by the HKSTP allows 30 companies, including start-ups they have incubated, to showcase their innovative achievements. Among them, a company is demonstrating a nucleic acid drug delivery system using “electroporation” which utilises brief electric pulses to enhance drug penetration across the cell membrane and help induce a more potent immune response (Booth: 3E-E28).

Held yesterday, the HKMHDIA Medical Fair Forum 2023 was a major highlight of this year’s fair. Organised by the HKMHDIA with the HKTDC as a strategic partner, the event featured industry experts who discussed the opportunities and prerequisites for establishing medical technology companies in Hong Kong and mainland cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Today, “The Rise of Innovative MedTech in Hong Kong” forum, organised by HKSTP, introduced new solutions from medical technology companies including a next-generation bone density testing system and an ultrasound system for monitoring liver disease.

This year’s Medical Fair continues to use the “EXHIBITION+” model, with the physical exhibition taking place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from 16 to 18 May. Global exhibitors, industry professionals and buyers can also conduct business negotiations through the “Click2Match” online smart business matching platform until 25 May.

Websites
– International Healthcare Week: https://internationalhealthcareweek.hktdc.com/en
– Asia Summit On Global Health: https://www.asiasummitglobalhealth.com/conference/asgh/en
– Programme: https://www.asiasummitglobalhealth.com/conference/asgh/en/programme
– Speakers: https://www.asiasummitglobalhealth.com/conference/asgh/en/speaker
– Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair: https://www.hktdc.com/event/hkmedicalfair/en
– Interesting product list and activity schedule: https://bit.ly/3V9mv6S
– Media Room: http://mediaroom.hktdc.com
– Photo download: https://bit.ly/3OziSpJ

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

Media enquiries
For enquiries please contact:

Asia Summit on Global Health
Yuan Tung Financial Relations:
Anson Wong, Tel: +852 3428 3413, Email: awong@yuantung.com.hk
Agnes Yiu, Tel: +852 3428 5690, Email: ayiu@yuantung.com.hk
Hing-Fung Wong, Tel: +852 3428 3122, Email: hfwong@yuantung.com.hk

HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Janet Chan, Tel: +852 2584 4369, Email: janet.ch.chan@hktdc.org
Agnes Wat, Tel: +852 2584 4554, Email: agnes.ky.wat@hktdc.org

Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair
HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Frankie Leung, Tel: +852 2584 4298, Email: frankie.cy.leung@hktdc.org