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HKTDC: 60% of Japanese companies expand RCEP business via Hong Kong

About 90% of Japan-affiliated companies based in Hong Kong manage or handle business in at least one Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) market other than Japan, according to a recent survey conducted by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).

HKTDC Director of Research Ms Irina Fan (L) and HKTDC Economist Mr Corey To (R) announced the survey findings of Japanese companies in Hong Kong expanding their business in the RCEP market.

More than 60% of respondents plan to expand their RCEP operations through their Hong Kong office in the next three years, with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) (40.4%) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) (39.4%) the most popular destinations.

The respondents are making use of Hong Kong’s well-developed logistics and commercial networks, as well as its world-class business services to manage and expand their global business, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.

Further integration into regional supply chains
RCEP came into effect last year, the world’s largest free trade bloc made up of 15 member countries, including China, Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand and the 10 ASEAN economies. It accounts for about 30% of global GDP, trade and population, injecting impetus into regional economic development.

Last year, RCEP economies accounted for 71% of Hong Kong’s total merchandise trade. “Hong Kong has applied for accession to RCEP and once approved, the city will become the first new member of the bloc, enjoying a wide range of benefits, such as tariff concessions. It will also help Hong Kong further integrate into regional supply chains and strengthen trade and investment with other members in the bloc, especially Japan and Korea, which have yet to sign free trade agreements with the city,” HKTDC Director of Research Ms Irina Fan said.

Hong Kong: Premier platform for RCEP
About 1,400 Japanese companies have set up regional headquarters or offices in Hong Kong. With the support of the Hong Kong Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (HKJCCI), the HKTDC has surveyed more than 100 Japanese companies via a questionnaire to better understand their business development in the first year of RCEP, advantages of the Hong Kong platform and services, and the city’s role in helping them expand into the RCEP market.

Most of the survey respondents operate in the import and export trade sector, followed by wholesale and retail, finance and logistics. More than 20% said their Hong Kong office serves as the company’s overseas headquarters or main regional office that manage operations outside of Japan. Other functions include marketing and sales (73.5%), logistics and supply chain management (36.3%) and sourcing and procurement (25.5%).

HKTDC Economist Mr Corey To said while Hong Kong is currently playing an important role in facilitating RCEP related business (close to 90% of the respondents manage or handle RCEP business via Hong Kong), over 60% of the respondents see Hong Kong as “important” or “very important” in helping them capture arising business opportunities in the RCEP region.

Respondents also revealed that strong regional connectivity makes Hong Kong the premier platform for RCEP. Core strengths include business networks with Mainland China (88.8%), freedom of capital flows and currency exchange (79.7%), efficiency as a transshipment and distribution hub (72%) and more.

More benefits from Hong Kong’s RCEP accession
The survey also found that more than half of the Hong Kong-based Japanese trading companies have already enjoyed RCEP benefits, such as unified rules of origin, lower tariffs and streamlined customs procedures. Close to 80% anticipate more benefits, should the city join the bloc. This reflects Hong Kong’s role as a major logistics hub in the region as well as its deep trade ties with many RCEP economies.

Mr To said among the non-trade sector, 60% expected to benefit from Hong Kong’s RCEP accession, largely because of the anticipated increase in economic activity and investment flows across Mainland China, Hong Kong and Japan, and due to improved access for service sectors and enhanced intellectual property rights protection, which will create new opportunities for different sectors, such as e-commerce.

Overall, more than half of the respondents suggested that Hong Kong’s accession to RCEP would improve their company’s ability to capture RCEP business opportunities. Providing marketing information about RCEP economies and encouraging co-ordination among public bodies and regulators were also seen as helpful.

Hong Kong as a base for regional business
The survey results echo the statements made in HKTDC Research’s in-depth interviews conducted with Japan-affiliated companies in Hong Kong. These case studies show Hong Kong’s competitive edges in a number of areas, which is beneficial to Japanese companies that aim to leverage Hong Kong as a base for business expansion in the region: solid financial infrastructure, well-established hub for international trade and logistics, quality professional services and a pool of diversified talents, prime location adjacent to GBA and among key economies in the Asia-Pacific.

Please read Japanese Business Perspectives series published by HKTDC Research for more details:

Interviewee: Takeshi Iida, President and Managing Director, Mitsubishi Corporation (Hong Kong)
Research article: Harnessing the Power of Hong Kong as a Commercial Hub
https://research.hktdc.com/en/article/MTEwNjgwMzA0MA

Interviewee: Atsushi (Ash) Kato, Head of Corporate Office, NTT DATA Hong Kong Limited
Research article: Integrating Regional Payment Solutions via the Hong Kong Hub
https://research.hktdc.com/en/article/MTEzMzgwMjM0Nw

Interviewee: Min Zhu, CEO, BYFIN (SBI Group)
Research article: Hong Kong-Facilitated GBA Fintech Opportunities
https://research.hktdc.com/en/article/MTA4OTc3MDI5Nw

Interviewee: Yoshinori Nakamura, Managing Director, Tachibana Sales (Hong Kong) Ltd
Research article: Hong Kong Powers Regional Electronics Trade
https://research.hktdc.com/en/article/MTE1NDU3ODg1Mg

Interviewee: Susumu Muguruma, Chief Operating Officer, Valuence Holdings
Research article: Taking the Pre-owned Luxury Goods Trade Global via Hong Kong
https://research.hktdc.com/en/article/MTEyNjA3MDkzOQ

References
– HKTDC Research website: http://research.hktdc.com/
– Japanese companies see Hong Kong as premier business platform to tap RCEP opportunities: https://bit.ly/41ZN80v
– Photo download: https://bit.ly/3AIpppV

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

International Healthcare Week returns to showcase Hong Kong’s strengths in healthcare innovation and investment

Asia Summit on Global Health and Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair help set new levels of collaboration for global healthcare industry

The second International Healthcare Week (IHW), organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and supported by a wide range of healthcare sector partners, takes place from 16 to 31 May in Hong Kong, leveraging the city’s strategic role as an innovation and investment hub for the healthcare industry in Asia.

Ms Margaret Fong, Executive Director of the HKTDC, joined Dr Donald Li, Chairman of the Elderly Commission (L), and Dr Lydia Leung, Chairman of the Hong Kong Medical and Healthcare Device Industries Association (R), to announce the details at today’s press conference.

Syngular Technology Limited focuses on developing AR-based surgical assistance software solutions.

AusMed Global Limited introduces a breath ketone analyser that helps users monitor their physical condition for diabetes and weight management.

The two flagship events of IHW are the third Asia Summit on Global Health (ASGH), co-organised by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the HKTDC, and the 14th edition of the HKTDC Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair (Medical Fair), organised by the HKTDC.

Ms Margaret Fong, Executive Director of the HKTDC, said: “As an international financial centre, world-class research hub and important connector within the Guangdong-Hong-Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), Hong Kong offers an ideal platform for global healthcare development, with the city playing a pivotal role in the rapidly developing industry in Asia.

She is pleased to see that, with pandemic restrictions lifted and the resumption of normal travel, local and global healthcare industry players are ready to reconnect at full speed.

“The second IHW provides the perfect opportunity to bring together the world’s elite in the medical, research and financial fields in Hong Kong,” she added.

Ms Fong also welcomes and thanks the healthcare sector partners for joining IHW. “Our partnerships make this event very meaningful and highlights the importance of collaboration to drive forward the healthcare industry. We hope to collaborate with more groups next year.”

IHW will also feature the following:
– Hospital Authority Convention 2023
– HKMHDIA Medical Fair Forum – Hong Kong as the International MedTech Hub
– CUHK ENT Conference 2023
– Seminar on Embracing the Era of Genomic Medicine: Research, Training and Clinical Applications
– Seminar on Let’s Talk about Eczema
– 35th Anniversary Prostate Health Check and Exhibition
– Scientific Seminar – 2023 AIRP Course in Hong Kong
– Seminar on Prevention of Sarcopenia and Frailty
– CU Allergy Week 2023
– HKVCA 22nd China Private Equity Summit 2023 – Panel Discussion on Healthcare and Biotechnology industries

Building an all-round healthcare platform to boost collaboration
ASGH will take place on 17 and 18 May, with the first day held in-person at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) and the second day taking place virtually.

Under the theme “Reimagining the Future of Healthcare”, the Summit will feature more than 80 speakers, including healthcare officials and organisations from around the world, international science and medical experts, university academics and researchers, investors, business leaders and financial specialists. They will discuss the latest developments in public health, medical technology and healthcare investment and explore the future of the healthcare ecosystem and opportunities within it.

Mr John Lee, Chief Executive of the HKSAR, will deliver the opening remarks on the first day, with 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 and Deputy Director of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, addressing the summit as a guest speaker.

Plenary sessions and plenary talks feature a diversity of healthcare leaders and industry experts highlighting the evolution of healthcare and the importance of closer cross-sector collaboration. These are complemented by thematic sessions that deep dive into various aspects of healthcare, including biotech and medtech, climate change and health, Chinese Western medicine, ageing, wellness and much more.

At ASGH and the Medical Fair, a series of deal-sourcing and deal-making sessions will be held to help enterprises, start-ups, investors and buyers build connections and expand their business.

ASGH Deal-Making on day one of the Summit will connect project owners with potential investors and business partners worldwide. The projects will cover pharmaceuticals, medical devices and diagnostics, AI and digital health, community health and wellness, and more. To facilitate business matchmaking and provide exposure for projects in need of fundraising, live project pitching by more than 30 start-ups will take place in the ASGH exhibition area.

Also on day one, the InnoHealth Showcase and exhibition area at the HKCEC will feature more than 140 healthcare start-ups. The Business of Healthcare Advisory Zone will feature biotechnology and healthcare start-ups. Investors and industry experts will be on hand to offer a range of consulting services for start-ups, including fundraising, R&D cooperation, market access and more.

Exploring medical technology trends and solutions
The Medical Fair, organised by the HKTDC and co-organised by the Hong Kong Medical and Healthcare Device Industries Association (HKMHDIA), runs under the theme “Unleash the Power of Smart Health”.

This year’s event has attracted more than 300 exhibitors from Hong Kong, Canada, Mainland China, Japan, Taiwan and the United States. Highlighted zones include Biotechnology, Hospital Equipment, Rehabilitation and Elderly Care, World of Health & Wellness, Medical Supplies and Disposables and Laboratory Equipment & Manufacturing Solutions, along with pavilions from the HKMHDIA and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks (HKSTP). The zones will feature the latest medical technologies and equipment along with medical, healthcare and related services, enabling industry participants to source the latest products and services.

Universities have become major hubs for research and development (R&D) in the medtech field. Six local universities will showcase R&D accomplishments relating to the medical and health industries at the Medical Fair. HKSTP is organising a sizeable pavilion where it will showcase cutting-edge technological developments from 30 corporations including start-up companies it has nurtured.

The Medical Fair will highlight a wide range of the latest top-notch medical equipment, such as a robotic exoskeleton that helps patients relearn how to walk following spinal cord injuries, a stroke or other brain traumas.

Also on display will be a 5G hearing aid that successfully cuts noise by 90% and helps users to hear well in noisy places, and a breath ketone analyser that measures breath ketone instantly to help users monitor their physical condition for diabetes and weight management.

A variety of events will be held throughout the Medical Fair, including the HKMHDIA Medical Fair Forum organised by the HKMHDIA in partnership with the HKTDC on the first day (16 May). Under the theme “Hong Kong as the International MedTech Hub”, industry experts will discuss what is needed to set up medical technology enterprises in Hong Kong and other GBA cities and unpack the medtech ecosystems in both places, covering everything from regulations and intellectual property issues to product design, manufacturing and cybersecurity.

The Medical Fair will once again run under the EXHIBITION+ hybrid model. In addition to the physical fair at HKCEC from 16 to 18 May, exhibitors and buyers from around the world can continue conducting business online via the Click2Match 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/3p2DfAB

Members of the media interested in interviewing ASGH speakers can email ayiu@yuantung.com.hk on or before 15 May 2023.

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

Hong Kong advantages in green buildings

RCEP market offers opportunities to build a sustainable future

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Link Asset Management Limited (Link) released a survey study, “Hong Kong Green Capabilities in Real Estate Development and Property Management: RCEP Opportunities”, which highlights seven distinct advantages of Hong Kong in the field of green buildings.

Irina Fan, Director of HKTDC Research (L) and George Hongchoy, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Link (R)

The report also underscores green building challenges across the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) countries, with which Hong Kong can strengthen collaboration in four major areas to expand Hong Kong’s and regional green building capacities to create a greener and sustainable future: climate risk assessment and design consulting; green financing; construction and facility management digitalisation; and green material certification and sourcing.

Mr George Hongchoy, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Link Asset Management Limited, said: “We are delighted to learn that Hong Kong’s real estate sector is in a leading position in terms of green competences among the major RCEP markets being examined. As a real estate asset manager and investor based in Hong Kong, sustainability is at the heart of Link’s operation. We have been incorporating sustainability consideration in almost every part of our business, pioneering many sustainability applications in our daily operations, and striving to achieve net zero carbon emission by 2035. We are keen to work with other industrial practitioners to further advance sustainability initiatives in Hong Kong and showcase the city’s green capabilities in RCEP markets to capture new opportunities in the region.”

Ms Irina Fan, Director of HKTDC Research, said: “Green real estate development and property management are a key element in achieving net zero by 2050, particularly in the case of Hong Kong, where 50,000 private and government buildings generate 60% of the city’s carbon emissions. The progress made towards green buildings in Hong Kong in recent years is encouraging, thanks to the joint efforts of industry stakeholders. At the same time, demand for green real estate and property management services in RCEP economies is also growing. Hong Kong practitioners are well placed to take advantage of the momentum to seize business opportunities in RCEP countries, establish Hong Kong’s leading position in green buildings in the global marketplace and create stronger synergies.”

Hong Kong’s seven green building advantages

The survey has been compiled through a three-pronged approach: (1) Desktop research on Mainland China, Hong Kong and other RCEP countries of interest to understand and compare green buildings trends; (2) In-depth interviews with more than 70 stakeholders in the real estate and property management sectors in RCEP countries and Hong Kong between July and November 2022 to assess the green capabilities of Hong Kong’s real estate and property management industries; (3) Questionnaire survey via phone and online of 300 practitioners from Australia, Japan, Mainland China, Singapore and South Korea with the aim of gaining a better understanding of the green capabilities of the real estate and property management sectors across the RCEP bloc, while exploring collaboration opportunities for Hong Kong practitioners. All survey respondents are manager level or above and have been involved in green construction, property development or facility management projects for more than four years.

The report identifies seven advantages of Hong Kong in the green building field, including:
1. Green finance: Hong Kong is Asia’s leading green finance hub with a deep capital pool capable of meeting the diverse financing needs of the real estate sector;
2. Green building products and embodied carbon reduction: Local manufacturers of construction materials have made use of waste materials in their production processes to reduce embodied carbon emissions;
3. Industry coherence: Hong Kong’s well-established testing, inspection and certification (TIC) industry plays a pivotal role in certifying green building products and projects;
4. Innovative construction methods: The application of new construction approaches with higher efficiency and lower production costs, like digitalisation and prefabrication, has been pioneered by Hong Kong’s real estate developers;
5. Facility management: World-renowned for its skyline of supertall skyscrapers, Hong Kong is now turning up the dial on high-rise sustainable development and management;
6. Alternative and renewable energy and sustainable lifestyle: Hong Kong’s power suppliers have been promoting a sustainable lifestyle and energy efficiency through measures like renewable energy development, energy management, digitalisation and retrofitting; and
7. Sustainable community development: Hong Kong’s industry practitioners have built features, such as common social facilities and shared climate-resilient infrastructure into the design of real estate developments, to create sustainable, well-connected communities.

Challenges for RCEP members
Our survey results show that reducing energy consumption, encouraging sustainable business practices and lowering greenhouse gas emissions are the top three reasons for adopting green building practices, as indicated by 43%, 41% and 35% of the respondents, respectively. In terms of specific green building approaches, site planning and construction management (85%) is ranked highest, followed by sustainable architectural design and construction techniques (83%), and energy and waste management (81%).

The aspects that are considered the most challenging by respondents are efficient use and reduction of construction materials (18%), air quality monitoring and air purification (18%), monitoring and reducing energy consumption (17%) and use of recycled or eco-friendly construction materials (17%). Passive design (2%), BIM modelling (4%) and Daylighting designs (6%) are considered the least challenging in the region, perhaps reflecting Asia’s strong expertise in architectural design.

While sustainability has gone mainstream, challenges for green building activities vary across countries. Japan, South Korea and Singapore face high initial costs, with 46%-56% of respondents citing costs as the top challenge for increasing green building activities. Mainland China is faced with a lack of experienced talent (44%), while Japan is struggling with securing financial resources (40%). The low availability of certified green building products and services is another area of concern among the South Korean (32%) and mainland Chinese (33%) respondents.

Hong Kong can meet the needs of the RCEP market in four major areas
The views of the survey respondents together with the in-depth stakeholder interviews carried out in Hong Kong and the five selected RCEP markets summarise four major areas, for which Hong Kong’s green building capabilities can best meet the needs of RCEP markets. They are: climate risk assessment and design consulting services; green financing; construction and facility management digitalisation; and green building product certification and sourcing.

1. Climate risk assessment and design consulting services
Hong Kong has a well-established TIC industry and is seen as an experienced player in handling a volatile climate. With 72% of respondents saying that they believe Hong Kong excels in design concepts and construction techniques, the city’s experience in handling volatile climates and constructing high rises could be valuable in RCEP markets. According to the survey, biophilic design / landscaping with greenery (42%) and climate risk assessment (34%) will be the most and the fifth most popular green building approach, respectively, for the next 12 months. Hong Kong is well placed to ride on its experience to provide these services to Australia, Mainland China, Singapore, and South Korea.

2. Green financing
Hong Kong is a leading financial centre that actively participates in sustainable finance development and can play a key role in providing green financing and carbon trading services to Japan, Mainland China and South Korea. According to the survey, 84% of the respondents showed an interest in increasing the use of green finance products and services in the coming 24 months, to enhance public recognition of (cited by 72%), public engagement with (cited by 65%) and transparency (cited by 60%) of their sustainability strategies.

3. Construction and facility management digitalisation
Hong Kong is experienced in the adoption of BIM, MiC and DfMa, while city practitioners are also good at implementing digitalisation in facility management and retrofitting existing buildings. Hong Kong can transfer knowledge of installing indoor air monitoring and control systems and smart waste management systems to RCEP. According to the survey, AI to improve energy efficiency (41%) and the construction process (37%) will be the second and the third most popular green building approaches, respectively, for the next 12 months.

4. Green building products certification and sourcing
As the world’s sixth largest trading entity in merchandise trade, Hong Kong has a well-established assessment and certification protocol for green construction materials that can facilitate the sourcing of eco-friendly materials, and Japan, Mainland China and South Korea will be the focus markets. According to the survey, even though 40% of the respondents have already adopted recycled or eco-friendly construction materials in their projects, they still find the sourcing and application of eco-friendly materials a challenge due to the lack of standardisation and certification. Hong Kong can work with the RCEP market to develop a standardised assessment and certification protocol for green construction materials and set up a comprehensive regional database and platform of eco-friendly materials and suppliers.

References
– HKTDC Research Portal: http://research.hktdc.com/
– Hong Kong Green Capabilities in Real Estate Development and Property Management: RCEP Opportunities https://research.hktdc.com/en/article/MTM2MTk3MTk5Nw
– Photo download: https://bit.ly/40KTqQl

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 Link
Link Real Estate Investment Trust (Hong Kong stock code: 823) is the largest REIT in Asia by market capitalisation. It is managed by Link Asset Management Limited, a leading real estate investor and asset manager in the world. Since its listing in 2005 as the first REIT in Hong Kong, Link REIT has been 100% held by public and institutional investors. It is a constituent of the Hong Kong securities market benchmark Hang Seng Index, as well as a component of the Dow Jones Sustainability Asia Pacific Index, the FTSE4Good Index Series and the Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Index. From its home in Hong Kong, Link Asset Management Limited owns and manages a diversified portfolio including retail facilities, car parks, offices and logistics assets spanning from China’s Beijing, Greater Bay Area (Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Shenzhen), and Yangtze River Delta centred around Shanghai, to Singapore, Australia’s Sydney and Melbourne and the UK’s London. Link Asset Management Limited seeks to extend its portfolio growth trajectory and grasp expansion opportunities in different markets in pursuit of sustainable growth. For details, please visit https://www.linkreit.com

Media enquiries
For enquiries please contact:
HKTDC
Corporate Communication & Marketing Department
Frankie Leung, Tel: +852 2584 4298, Email: frankie.cy.leung@hktdc.org
Eric Wong, Tel: +852 2584 4575, Email: eric.ks.wong@hktdc.org

Link Asset Management Limited
Kelvin Tam, Tel: +852 2175 1870, Email: kevin.hf.tam@linkreit.com
Krista Chan, Tel: +852 2175 1344, Email: krista.hl.chan@linkreit.com

HKTDC lifestyle, licensing events attract close to 56,000 buyers

Parallel exhibitions generated cross-industry business opportunities, promoting creative and knowledge-based economic growth in Hong Kong

Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair; Home InStyle; the Hong Kong International Home Textiles and Furnishings Fair; Fashion InStyle; the Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair as well as the Hong Kong International Licensing Show successfully attracted close to 56,000 buyers from over 130 countries and regions. About 60% buyers were non-local coming from mainly Mainland China, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Taiwan, the United States, Japan and Korea. The concurrent Asian Licensing Conference also invited about 30 global industrial giants and insiders to share insights. Exhibitors and buyers responding to surveys commissioned by the HKTDC said they expected business and sales to return to pre-pandemic levels within 6 to 18 months.

Seven HKTDC lifestyle and licensing events successfully concluded their physical editions.

The Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair and Home InStyle launched a brand-new Cultural & Creative Corner.

The HKTDC Hong Kong International Licensing Show was well-received with vibrant business and sourcing activities, covering top global licensors and licensing agents.

Sophia Chong, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC, said: “The development of the creative and knowledge-based economy has become a major driving force for global economic growth. For the first time in April, the HKTDC held seven major lifestyle and licensing events concurrently. The Hong Kong Houseware Fair and the Hong Kong Fashion Week were rebranded as Home InStyle and Fashion InStyle respectively, offering more diverse creative products to international buyers; while the Licensing Show was repositioned to cover multiple lifestyle categories, bringing greater synergies and opening up more collaboration possibilities across industries. We are happy to see that many exhibitors were able to secure on-site orders, which is very encouraging.”

She added that Hong Kong was an important hub for promoting creativity and intellectual property trade in the region, with the advantage of being close to the mainland while connected to the world. Given the success of these events, the HKTDC hopes to seize more opportunities from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and ASEAN markets, as well as the global market, by organising more large-scale international exhibitions, including CENTRESTAGE and the Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair in September, further strengthening Hong Kong’s role as a global sourcing hub.

The six exhibitions, the physical editions of which have just concluded, attracted more than 4,100 exhibitors from 23 countries and regions. Under HKTDC’s EXHIBITION+ hybrid model, exhibitors and traders can connect online for another week beyond the physical fair days until 29 April via the Click2Match smart business matching platform. So far over 2,600 meetings between exhibitors and buyers have been scheduled.

Over 50% exhibitors and buyers are optimistic on growth prospects
Commissioned by the HKTDC, an independent research agency interviewed around 850 exhibitors and buyers during the events. Over half of the respondents (52%) expected the relaxed quarantine measures and restoration of business travel worldwide would have a positive impact on business and sales, while nearly 70% expected business and sales would be back to pre-pandemic levels within 6 to 18 months. Most buyers also said Hong Kong (85%) and the mainland (60%) were their top choices for trade-fair participation.

The respondents also believed that the Northern & Western Europe (21%) and ASEAN countries (15%) would be their new target markets in the next two years, and they were optimistic about the growth prospects.

Regarding product trends, respondents at Home InStyle predicted sleek and simple design (41%) will be in high demand, while respondents at the Gifts Fair foresee sustainable products (61%) to be market trend. Products with the greatest growth potential are gardening, camping & outdoor products (24%), eco-friendly products (20%), health & wellness products (18%) and kitchenware & tableware (18%); while for gifts, prospects are best for sustainable gifts (26%), advertising gifts & premium (25%) and tech gifts (23%).

Cultural, creative design and AI projects in focus
The Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair and Home InStyle launched a brand-new Cultural & Creative Corner, featuring more than 80 exhibitors. The Chairman of first-time participant Beijing Enamel Factory, Xie Yanhua, said: “The Cultural & Creative Corner has attracted the attention of buyers who are looking for unique products with cultural characteristics. We have connected with buyers from Hong Kong and Mainland China. We hope to develop long-term cooperation with them.”

This year’s Hong Kong International Licensing Show also featured more than 550 diverse licensing projects and brands including art, culture, entertainment and design. Many licensees expressed satisfaction with the exhibition’s traffic and successfully signed cooperation agreements.

Innovative technology is bringing revolutionary changes to various industries. A Hong Kong exhibitor at Fashion InStyle’s InnoFashion and Trade Services, Guy Shirazi, Director of Product of Stratasys said: “This is our debut exhibition in Hong Kong to increase the exposure of our PolyJet 3D printing technology. Buyers from Hong Kong, India and Mainland China approached us and showed strong interest in our 3D printers that enable direct-to-textile printing on garments, footwear and luxury accessories like hats and bags. We are positive about the business prospect. This exhibition is a great platform to drive our expansion in Asia.”

Visitors flock to joint exhibitions with onsite orders
Italian company TVS spa has exhibited at the HKTDC houseware fair since 2005. Their export area manager Theo Tassias said: “Two years ago, we launched a new collection called eco-ok induction which is made from recycled aluminium and comes with a recycled plastic handle. The physical Home InStyle held after the pandemic provides a good timing for us to introduce this eco-friendly collection to global buyers and new distributors. We have established connections with a lot of new buyers from many countries and regions such as Ecuador, India, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Russia, Singapore, the United States and Vietnam.”

Buyer from Poland Pawel Kulig met new suppliers from the mainland, Taiwan, India and Korea and identified six potential mainland suppliers during his Home InStyle visit. “We are very interested in their water bottles, glassware, food jars and storage boxes. We have asked them to send us samples and quotations and will place trial orders worth US$100,000-US$200,000 with the right suppliers.” he said.

The six major exhibitions held under one roof for the first time provided buyers with a one-stop sourcing platform. Italian buyer Enrico Bassani said: “I am happy to be back in Hong Kong visiting Fashion InStyle to source some fashion accessories. I am liaising with four new suppliers from Hong Kong and Mainland China for jewellery watches. I’ve also met five packaging suppliers at Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair. In total, I expect to spend about Euro 300,000 [US$333,000] this time for various kinds of watches and packaging items.” United Kingdom buyer Zahoor A Qurashi also visited the Printing and Packaging Fair. He identified 10 mainland exhibitors and expected to buy various types of food boxes from them with an estimated value of US$250,000.

The HKTDC organised a series of exhibitions and conferences this spring, covering various lifestyle sectors. The seven events ran concurrently for the first time, from 19 to 22 April at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The events included the Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair; Home InStyle (formerly the Hong Kong Houseware Fair); the Hong Kong International Home Textiles and Furnishings Fair; Fashion InStyle (formerly the Hong Kong Fashion Week); the Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair as well as the Hong Kong International Licensing Show and Asian Licensing Conference which ended on 21 April.

Websites
– HKTDC Media Room: https://mediaroom.hktdc.com/en
– Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair: www.hktdc.com/event/hkgiftspremiumfair
– Home InStyle: www.hktdc.com/event/homeinstyle
– Hong Kong International Home Textiles and Furnishings Fair: www.hktdc.com/event/hkhometextilesfair
– Fashion InStyle: www.hktdc.com/event/fashioninstyle
– Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair: www.hktdc.com/event/hkprintpackfair
– Hong Kong International Licensing Show: www.hktdc.com/event/hklicensingshow/en
– Asian Licensing Conference: www.hktdc.com/event/hklicensingshow/en/programme?category=all&date=all
– Photo download: https://bit.ly/40xa1qT

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 and Public Affairs Department:
Snowy Chan, Tel: +852 2584 4525, Email: snowy.sn.chan@hktdc.org

Hong Kong International Licensing Show and Asian Licensing Conference
Kate Chan, Tel: +852 2584 4239, Email: kate.hy.chan@hktdc.org
Frankie Leung, Tel: +852 2584 4298, Email: frankie.cy.leung@hktdc.org

Licensing Show brings together over 320 exhibitors

Authorities explore diverse topics at concurrent conference

More than 320 exhibitors gathered in Hong Kong to showcase over 550 brands and intellectual property (IP) items at the three-day Hong Kong International Licensing Show (HKILS) which concluded yesterday. The concurrent Asian Licensing Conference (ALC) brought together some 30 experts in the field from across the world to discuss hot industry topics including opportunities and strategies in global licensing, market trends, consumer patterns in the post-pandemic era and key factors that drive market development, facilitating cross-disciplinary collaboration through licensing.

Dr Patrick Lau, Deputy Executive Director, HKTDC (centre) and Mr Lau Chun, Raistlin, JP, Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, HKSAR (2nd L) officiated the opening ceremony.

This year’s Hong Kong International Licensing Show showcased more than 550 brands and licensing projects, featuring top global licensors and licensing agents.

Licensed cartoon characters from around the world were showcased at the venue, much to the delight of visitors.

HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Dr Patrick Lau said: “The Hong Kong-Mainland China border reopening facilitates business flow and provides strong support to the city’s export growth and economic recovery. We are pleased to see that Hong Kong continues to play a key role in linking the mainland and abroad in the licensing field, demonstrating the substantial potential of the global licensing industry.”

Ever-changing consumer demands today made brand awareness crucial to a company’s success and licensing enhanced a company’s competitiveness, increased brand value and attracted consumers, he added. Hong Kong, with its stringent IP protection system, well-developed distribution network and sharp market acumen, was a pivotal platform where top global brands and international licensing agents could expand into the Asian markets.

Diverse licensing opportunities
Hong Kong has long been Asia’s licensing hub and a major IP centre in the region. The HKILS and ALC provided a platform for international licensing practitioners to network with industry professionals and help companies expand their business into Asia.

The HKILS broadened its scope this year, highlighting different areas of licensing businesses and taking in art, culture, design, entertainment, well-being and more.

Numerous local creative designs and products could expand their business to Asian and overseas markets through HKILS. Ms Chiu Siu Yin Lovinia, Chairman of Medialink Group, was one of the exhibitors focusing on IP and brand licensing management services. “We are pleased to be part of the physical event, where we had a chance to interact directly with clients from Southeast Asia, Australia and even India.”

International experts share market insights
Mr Lau Chun, Raistlin, JP, Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, The Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, was guest of honour at the opening ceremony. He said: “The further development of e-commerce amid the pandemic facilitates the development of international licensing businesses, with more and more brands and properties investing in e-commerce to extend their customer base for licensed merchandise. The Hong Kong SAR Government has been strengthening our protection of IP rights, building our capacity by training more IP professionals and widely promoting Hong Kong’s IP trading and professional services through various activities.”

Brand licensing promotes traditional Chinese culture
As a centre for art and cultural exchange between China and other economies, Hong Kong helps promote Chinese culture to international markets. Mr Kong Lun, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, People’s Republic of China, said at the launch of the Mainland China Pavilion: “The Ministry of Culture and Tourism attaches great importance to the integrated development of culture and related industries. In recent years, we have been actively developing the brand licensing industry, strengthening the development and transformation of IPs with Chinese characteristics, empowering the physical economy with brand licensing, boosting domestic consumption and enhancing the cultural values, creativity and added values of related industries. I believe that the Chinese licensing industry will see even greater development opportunities in the near future.”

At the ALC, Ms Miki Yamamoto, Senior Vice President, Licensing of IMG in Asia, elaborated on IMG’s marketing strategies and outlined insightful cases, such as the crossover between the Van Gogh Museum and FILA with Converse as well as that between Jimmy Choo and Sailor Moon. “The simplest way for small enterprises to take off is to collaborate with well-known brands,” she said when offering some tips to the audience.

Meanwhile, during a session that looked at IP rights protection, Mr Yoshiaki Bando, Chief Director of the Kumamoto Prefectural Government Hong Kong Representative Office, described the success story of Kumamon, one of the most popular prefecture mascots in Japan, and underscored key advantages of royalty-free marketing and associated IP topics.

A closer look into sport licensing
Mr Olivier Ceccaldi, General Manager of Infront Sports & Culture (Beijing) Co., Ltd, revealed his secret to success in sports licensing. He pointed out that thorough understanding of the latest industry trends and peers’ marketing strategies, full utilisation of a brand’s competitive edges, and effective promotion of corporate values through large-scale sports competitions are crucial to enhancing brand popularity.

Websites
– HKTDC Media Room: http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/tc
– Hong Kong International Licensing Show: https://www.hktdc.com/event/hklicensingshow/tc
– Asian Licensing Conference: https://www.hktdc.com/event/hklicensingshow/en/programme?category=all&date=all
– Photo download: https://bit.ly/41QJ6r7

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:
Kate Chan, Tel: +852 2584 4239, Email: kate.hy.chan@hktdc.org
Frankie Leung, Tel: +852 2584 4298, Email: frankie.cy.leung@hktdc.org

HKTDC unveils seven creative lifestyle, licensing events

4,100+ exhibitors gather for cross-industry business opportunities

The creative industry is a powerhouse of economic growth. The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) unveiled seven creative events covering fashion, lifestyle and licensing at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). The events are the Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair; Home InStyle; the Hong Kong International Home Textiles and Furnishings Fair; Fashion InStyle and the Hong Kong International Printing and Packaging Fair, as well as the Hong Kong International Licensing Show and Asian Licensing Conference. As international business travel and commercial activities return to normal, these seven events have attracted more than 4,100 exhibitors from 23 countries and regions, covering gifts, home products, home textiles, fashion, printing and packaging solutions, licensing projects and more, while the Asian Licensing Conference has invited about 30 global industrial giants and insiders to share insights.

During the media tour, HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Sophia Chong (R) said HKTDC exhibitions are renowned for their international flavour, scale and comprehensive support facilities.

The HKTDC unveiled a series of exhibitions including: the Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair; Home InStyle; the Hong Kong International Home Textiles and Furnishing Fair; Fashion InStyle; the Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair; as well as the Hong Kong International Licensing Show; and the Asian Licensing Conference.

Hong Kong International Licensing Show drew attention to over 500 brands and licensing projects, highlighting a diverse range of projects.

During a media tour, HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Sophia Chong said: “HKTDC has always been committed to promoting Hong Kong creative and design industry to the world through exhibitions, conferences and other activities. This year, we are bringing together seven major events covering fashion, lifestyle and licensing in April under one roof for the first time, providing a unique platform to cultivate new possibilities for licensing business through accommodating more non-character IPs; broadening the IP portfolio to include art, culture and digital brands that are used in licensed gifts. We believe this will create greater synergies and will open up more business opportunities across industries and disciplines.

“As one of the world’s most recognised cities for meetings, exhibitions, incentive and business travel, Hong Kong attracts high-quality exhibitors and buyers from around the globe. HKTDC exhibitions are known for their internationalisation, scale and comprehensive support facilities. This year, the exhibitions featured about 70% non-local exhibitors and welcomed numerous provincial and municipal delegations from Mainland China – a testament to the return of international businessmen to Hong Kong,” she added.

The events have recruited more than 200 buying missions from 50 countries and regions, including buyers from the mainland, Japan, Korea, Association of Southeast Asian countries, India, the Middle East, Germany, France and the United States to source in Hong Kong. The EXHIBITION+ hybrid model extends business discussion beyond the physical shows until 29 April via the smart business matching platform Click2Match.

Designer brands showcase creative works in Cultural and Creative Corner
The exhibitions feature a diverse array of fashion and lifestyle products, with many institutions and companies joining for the first time. The Gifts Fair, Home InStyle and Home Textiles Fair feature over 2,800 exhibitors from 21 countries and regions. As the cultural and creative industries flourish, the Cultural and Creative Corner zone debuts at the Gifts Fair and Home InStyle to showcase designer brands and products with cultural characteristics, unique and tasteful designs. A mainland pavilion also debuts, bringing exclusive Chinese traditional handicrafts such as bamboo carvings, ceramics and paper-cutting lamps, showcasing the preservation and succession of intangible cultural heritage. At Home InStyle, the Zhejiang Pavilion features handcrafted home-decor products from different provincial cities under the Zhejiang Ingenuity: Culture and Quality theme. The Yuecheng District of Zhejiang Province is also participating in the Home Textiles Fair for the first time, showcasing high-quality bedding products.

Fashion InStyle has attracted about 500 exhibitors, including a debut Jiangxi Province pavilion where 25 exhibitors showcase fashion and accessories. The Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair also attracted 460 exhibitors with a new comer from Hungary. The international presences signal the strong revival of international business confidence in Hong Kong.

Promoting transformation of local creative force
The Hong Kong Houseware Fair has been renamed Home InStyle with the expectation of bringing more design and style-oriented products to buyers. The Hong Kong Industrial Designers Association (IDSHK) will join Home InStyle for the first time. The association’s ReMIX brands and designers matching programme created design products in collaboration with local traditional brands such as Camel’s vacuum flasks and Red Apple’s home furniture, illustrating the power of design in brand rejuvenation. Other newcomers include local brand Inwork Synergy International Limited, which specialises in handcrafted wooden tableware, and Derangedesign Co. Limited, which won the A’Design Award for its iconic irregular stainless steel sculpture containers. Furthermore, the Hong Kong Exporters’ Association highlights Hong Kong Smart Design Award winning pieces at the Gifts Fair to promote local design talents.

The HKTDC has been a staunch advocate for the development of local creative culture and protection of intellectual property. With the support of CreateHK, the DLAB Hong Kong Pavilion returned to the Licensing Show this year, gathering 45 locally produced, original intellectual properties – including SHIBAINC, Falling Cyan, Malut Design and 8EGGS Studio – displaying the products of Hong Kong creative minds.

Technology leads to sustainable future
Highlighted Fashion InStyle’s zone InnoFashion and Trade Services focuses on fashion technology and trade services and showcases a variety of innovative fashion technologies, including the AiDLab of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, which brings in world’s first designer-led AI system (AiDA) that facilitates designer’s inspiration and speeds up the whole ideation and design development process, improving the sustainability of the production chain. Headquartered in Israel, Hong Kong exhibitor Stratasys has developed a 3D printer that can print three-dimensional textile materials entirely with computers.

Demand for environment-friendly products continues to rise in global markets. About a quarter of the Printing & Packaging Fair exhibitors provide green printing and packaging products and services. Sustainability and safety certified products are also available in the Home Textiles Fair, including products made of organic and recycled materials with international certifications such as GRS, BSCI and OEKO-100.

Engaging dialogues on trending topics including ChatGPT and ESG
The AiDLab Summit debuted at Fashion InStyle. Academic experts such as Professor Sharon Baurley, Director and Professor of Design & Materials at the Materials Science Research Centre of the Royal College of Art and Professor Calvin Wong, Cheng Yik Hung Professor in Fashion at the School of Fashion and Textiles at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and Centre Director of AiDLab discussed artificial intelligence (AI) application in fashion design. The Feel the Pulse of the Upcoming Trend in 2023 seminar invited Euromonitor International Hong Kong Research Manager Herbert Yum and Ivan So, digital consultant at HDcourse, to share insights on global consumer trends as well as ChatGPT and its impact on business-to-business marketing implications.

Licensing Show displays over 500 brands and projects, signalling a thriving industry
Hong Kong is a bustling hub for licensors, licensees, agents and manufacturers and is the preferred partner for foreign licensors. This year’s Hong Kong International Licensing Show showcased over 500 diverse licensing projects and brands; exhibitors include top global licensors and licensing agents such as CAA-GBG Global Brands Management Group, Medialink Group and WildBrain CPLG. The exhibition features nine large pavilions, the largest being the Mainland China Pavilion, along with those from Macao, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand and Taiwan, where exhibitors bring unique brands to Hong Kong.

At the concurrent Asian Licensing Conference, the first session featured Ben Peace, Vice President for the Asia Pacific at WildBrain CPLG (the agency for PEANUTS, Sonic Prime, and the Teletubbies); Maura Regan, President of Licensing International; and Miki Yamamoto, Senior Vice President, Licensing in Asia at IMG, who discussed global licensing developments, post-pandemic shifts in consumer behaviour and key factors reshaping the licensing landscape.

Websites
– Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair: www.hktdc.com/event/hkgiftspremiumfair
– Home InStyle: www.hktdc.com/event/homeinstyle
– Hong Kong International Home Textiles and Furnishings Fair: www.hktdc.com/event/hkhometextilesfair
– Fashion InStyle: www.hktdc.com/event/fashioninstyle
– Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair: www.hktdc.com/event/hkprintpackfair
– Hong Kong International Licensing Show: https://www.hktdc.com/event/hklicensingshow/en
– Asian Licensing Conference: https://www.hktdc.com/event/hklicensingshow/en/programme?category=all&date=all
– HKTDC Media Room: https://mediaroom.hktdc.com/en
– Photo download: https://bit.ly/41FUoy9

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 and Public Affairs Department:
Snowy Chan, Tel: +852 2584 4525, Email: snowy.sn.chan@hktdc.org

Hong Kong International Licensing Show and Asian Licensing Conference
Kate Chan, Tel: +852 2584 4239, Email: kate.hy.chan@hktdc.org
Frankie Leung, Tel: +852 2584 4298, Email: frankie.cy.leung@hktdc.org

Cutting-edge technologies at Hong Kong tech fairs attract over 66,000 buyers worldwide

Inaugural InnoEX promoting city’s strengths in innovation and tech

Hong Kong showcased its strengths in innovation and technology (I&T) at a series of innovation and tech fairs, including the first-ever InnoEX co-organised by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), held concurrently with the Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition) and Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition).

66,000 industry buyers visited and conducted business negotiations at the inaugural InnoEX, co-organised by HKSAR and HKTDC, along with the Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition) and Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition).

The “Paris Olympic Games 2024 – Becoming a large-scale innovation center for the Cities of Tomorrow” seminar, hosted by the So French So Innovative exhibition group, shared how Paris is leveraging the opportunity of hosting the 2024 Olympics to promote I&T.

The Asian Lighting Forum with the theme “Illuminating a Connected World” featured heavyweight speakers who delved into the latest industry topics, including human-centric lighting design, smart lighting solutions and sustainable development.

The three tech fairs attracted over 66,000 buyers from some 160 countries and regions, including Mainland China, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Korea, Taiwan, USA, Japan, India and Russia. The overwhelming response and lively exchange of ideas at the events highlighted Hong Kong’s rapid development into an international I&T hub, which connects the world with Mainland China and ASEAN.

The three exhibitions took place in hybrid format, offering access in-person and online via the HKTDC’s EXHIBITION+ platform, which enables exhibitors and buyers from around the world to continue conducting business online until 22 April. With the Click2Match smart business matching platform, the fairs have facilitated over 3,000 business meetings so far.

Sophia Chong, HKTDC Deputy Executive Director, said, “It is encouraging to see that the three tech fairs brought together nearly 3,000 exhibitors from 20 countries and regions to present a wide range of innovative solutions, cutting-edge technologies and electronic products, to create business opportunities across regions and industries and to explore the unlimited potential of innovation and technology cooperation.”

“Many exhibitors were pleased to receive orders on the spot and secure business partnerships. We are pleased to see the three tech fairs playing a major role in the innotech ecosystem of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), which attracts the participation of ASEAN and Asia markets, and those further afield in Europe and the Americas. The success of these events reflects Hong Kong’s determination to develop at full speed into an international centre for innovation and technology and reaffirms the status of the city as an international trade and exhibition centre,” she added.

InnoEX and the Hong Kong Electronics Fair were flagship events of the inaugural Business of Innovation & Technology Week (BITWeek), which also included the Digital Economy Summit, co-organised by the HKSAR Government and Cyberport. Together, the three BITWeek events recorded a total attendance of over 50,000 local and overseas visitors.

The three tech fairs of the HKTDC featured more than 100 innovative solutions to drive smart city development in Hong Kong presented by the Smart Hong Kong Pavilion, artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics projects undertaken by 14 research laboratories in collaboration with world-renowned universities introduced by the InnoHK initiative under the Innovation and Technology Commission, the latest electronics and smart lighting solutions as well as a series of forums, panel discussions and seminars featuring distinguished experts to share their insights on the latest technological trends.

AI, smart city and metaverse dominating the conversation
More than 50 events were held during the fairs, including the InnoEX Forum, Under 30 – Tech Trends Symposium for the Next Generation, Asian Lighting Forum, and the “France in the Game – Sustainable Development for the Cities of Tomorrow” organised by So French So Innovative pavilion, and the “Collaborate & Build Data Ecology between Twin Cities” event organised by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) and Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization. Robust discussions on trending topics, such as AI, smart city and metaverse attracted a large number of industry participants.

Over 80% of I&T industry expects sales to grow in the next one to two years
The majority of the over 1,000 exhibitors and buyers, responding to independent surveys commissioned by the HKTDC at the fairs, held optimistic views on their upcoming business development and sales. They agreed that Hong Kong offers the advantage of connecting the world with the GBA and ASEAN.

According to the survey, 75% of respondents at InnoEX believe that overall sales will increase in the next six months to a year. A total of 86% of respondents expect their overall sales to increase in the next one to two years.

Respondents believe that the biggest advantage of Hong Kong’s innovation sector lies in the city’s highly skilled and multicultural talent pool (26%), creative technology solutions (25%) and its unique role as an intermediary between Mainland China and the world (21%).

In addition, with the support of policies, many companies are committed to expanding into ASEAN markets. 38% of local exhibitor respondents are trying or planning to expand into the ASEAN countries, while 31% of respondents plan to expand into the GBA and 89% of them were optimistic about opening up their businesses in the GBA market. 21% of respondents plan to expand into other non-GBA Chinese cities.

Furthermore, around 50% and some 30% of local exhibitor respondents, respectively, believe that policy support from the Hong Kong and mainland governments and/or assistance from other organisations in both places, the willingness to cooperate by mainland and international corporations as well as leveraging the complementary advantages of Hong Kong and other GBA cities are favourable for Hong Kong innovation companies to explore the GBA mainland cities market.

Among the respondents of the Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition) and Hong Kong Lighting Fair (Spring Edition), 58% of the respondents believed that overall sales would increase in the next six months to one year. A total of 72% of respondents expect their overall sales to increase in the next one to two years. In terms of product trends, respondents at the Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition) identified household appliances (21%), audio-visual products (21%) and electronic or electrical accessories (20%) as having the greatest growth potential in key sales markets this year.

As for the Hong Kong Lighting Fair, more than 51% of the respondents believe that LED type of lighting products have the greatest growth potential among the major sales markets, followed by commercial lighting (33%), outdoor & public lighting (27%) and residential lighting (20%).

Smart products demand drives engaging business negotiations at tech fairs
Shanghai Yuweia Technology Co., Ltd. promoted its virtual reality products at InnoEX. Mr Ryan Zhu, Chief Marketing Officer of the company, stated: “This fair was a huge success! Buyers from both domestic markets and abroad highly praised our products. In addition to meeting hundreds of potential clients, we received orders from Japan, Canada, the United States, Indonesia, Singapore and other places. We intend to take part in the fair again next year and bring our latest products to consumers worldwide.”

During the fairs, government officials from ASEAN countries, Mainland China and Hong Kong met with exhibitors from various countries and regions at the ASEAN Smart City Development Roundtable to exchange ideas. Mr Lim Chinn Hwa, Senior Director of GovTech of Singapore, said, “Hong Kong and Singapore can potentially collaborate on investing in technologies relevant to smart cities. Together, we can also work on aspects, like handling the different data collected, dealing with the differences in the two places’ governance approach, identifying talents who can serve the needs of both places and facilitating knowledge exchange. Sharing ideas and policies in these areas is highly beneficial.”

Hong Kong exhibitor Doss (H.K.) Limited promoted its Bluetooth speakers at the Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition). According to Ms Vivian Liang, Sales Manager of the company, “We aim to explore new markets and strengthen relationships with existing customers through the fair. Face-to-face interactions with customers during the fair helped us foster long-lasting relationships and generate more orders. This fair produced positive outcomes. We met with about 50 new buyers, mostly from Europe and the United States. We anticipate receiving orders totalling US$100,000.”

Robust global purchasing power through Hong Kong
The resumption of customs clearance between the mainland, Hong Kong and the world attracted buyers from all over the world to the fairs, with robust sales activity generated on-site and online . Mr Arvine Quizon, Head of Technology of Leading Edge based in Australia travelled to Hong Kong and sourced at the Electronics Fair. He highly appreciated the fair, saying “It’s a great place for horizon scanning, finding new trends and the focus for the industry. I’ve always loved the fair in Hong Kong. It’s the best in the world for sourcing new products. It’s great to be back since the pandemic and I’ll certainly be back more often.”

Exhibitor Ms Vivian Wu, General Manager of Zhongshan Obals Lighting & Electric Co., Ltd from Mainland China obtained a huge order at the fair. She said, “We are thrilled to have received an onsite order worth US$3 million for our LED commercial lighting products from a long-term customer from Australia on the first day of the fair. Buyer traffic has been heavy at the fair. We have established more than 300 new contacts with quality buyers from new markets, such as Africa, Asia and the Middle East. And about 30 new buyers came from large companies, which have their own brands.”

Websites
– InnoEX: https://www.hktdc.com/event/innoex/en
– Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition): https://www.hktdc.com/event/hkelectronicsfairse/en
– Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition): https://www.hktdc.com/event/hklightingfairse/en
– The HKTDC’s Media Room: http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/en
– Photo download link: https://bit.ly/3UBGlaG

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 more information, please contact Raconteur:
Molisa Lau, Tel: +852 6187 7786, Email: molisalau@raconteur.hk
Betsy Tse, Tel: +852 9742 7338, Email: betsytse@raconteur.hk

The HKTDC’s Communications and Public Affairs Department:
Eric Wong, Tel: +852 2584 4575, Email: eric.ks.wong@hktdc.org
Clementine Cheung, Tel: +852 2584 4514, Email: clementine.hm.cheung@hktdc.org

Dr Peter K N Lam reappointed as HKTDC Chairman

Continued commitment to create business opportunities for Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government announced today that Dr Peter K N Lam has been reappointed as Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) for two years with effect from 1 June 2023.

Dr Lam said: “I am honoured to be reappointed as Chairman of the HKTDC. In the past four years, the global economy has faced unprecedented challenges. While preparing for the resumption of business in Hong Kong, the HKTDC has also been working hard to help companies, especially SMEs, continue connecting with partners around the world through our online-offline hybrid platforms. With the recent re-opening of Hong Kong, we immediately rolled out several major international conferences and exhibitions and outreach activities, including a delegation to the Middle East led by HKSAR Chief Executive Mr John Lee in February this year. We are pleased to see from the international business community not only their continued enthusiasm for Hong Kong, but also their interest in opportunities such as the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Asia in general.”

Dr Lam further added, “The HKTDC team and I will continue to leverage Hong Kong’s position as the international gateway of Mainland China to support national policies such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the Greater Bay Area. Through our 50 offices around the world, we will strengthen our overseas promotion activities to promote the Hong Kong city brand, and we will also continue to attract businesses and talent to Hong Kong through our anchor fairs and conferences and digital information platforms. I am optimistic about the future, and will lead the HKTDC team to continue creating opportunities for the business community in Hong Kong and around the world.”

The HKTDC’s Media Room: http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/en
Photo download: https://bit.ly/3zURmdw

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:
Sunny Ng, Tel: +852 2584 4357, Email: sunny.sl.ng@hktdc.org
Sam Ho, Tel: +852 2584 4569, Email: sam.sy.ho@hktdc.org

Inaugural InnoEX kicks off today

Global tech achievements converge at three tech fairs, unlocking future trends and helping enterprises stay ahead of the curve

The first-ever InnoEX, jointly organised by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), which is running in conjunction with the HKTDC Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition) and HKTDC Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition). The three tech fairs opened at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) today, attracting nearly 3,000 exhibitors from 20 countries and regions across Hong Kong, the mainland, Asia, Europe and the Americas, and showcasing Hong Kong’s role as a global innovation hub and trade exhibition centre.

HKTDC Acting Executive Director Sophia Chong opened the exhibition and the “InnoEX Forum” with her welcome speech.

The Smart Hong Kong Pavilion, set up by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO), showcases more than 100 innovative solutions that will help drive smart city development in Hong Kong.

The Innovation and Technology Commission presents AI and robotics projects undertaken by 14 research laboratories in collaboration with world-renowned universities under the HKSAR Government’s InnoHK initiative.

Under the theme “Connecting the World with Innovations for Better Living”, the three tech exhibitions have adopted the HKTDC’s EXHIBITION+ integrated online and offline model for trade events. The physical expos run for four consecutive days, from 12 to 15 April, while global exhibitors, industry professionals and buyers can come together through the Click2Match intelligent business matchmaking platform until 22 April.

Brightest tech firms gather with innovative solutions
InnoEX is devoted to promoting cross-industry as well as cross-functional collaboration and exchange, encompassing business-to-business (B2B), government-to-government (G2G), and government-to-business (G2B) partnerships. The event will drive the translation of innovations into commercialisation through the market, ultimately extending enterprises’ reach to the global stage.

Opening the exhibition and the InnoEX Forum this morning, HKTDC Acting Executive Director Sophia Chong said when making her welcome remarks: “InnoEX serves as a premier business platform showcasing next-generation smart solutions, and cutting edge technologies, bringing together influential tech experts, enterprises, thought leaders and investors from the region and beyond to discuss cross-region and cross-sector collaboration and explore business opportunities on all fronts.”

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, said: “The current Government is committed to promoting the development of innovation and technology to give a strong impetus to economic growth and address the concerns of people’s livelihood. Last year, we published the ‘Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Blueprint’, which sets out the strategic plan for innovation and technology in the next five to 10 years, and promotes key directions such as digital economy and smart city development.” He continued: “The ‘Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Blueprint’ has been making impressive strides in the smart city journey. Nonetheless, we will not be complacent in where we are. To lead by example, as announced in the Chief Executive’s 2022 Policy Address, we are now forging ahead with an e-government audit with a view to implementing 100 digital initiatives by various departments leveraging advanced technologies such as AI, blockchain and big data analytics by 2025. They will certainly further enhance our livelihood with greater convenience and allow us to experience the benefits of smart city and I&T in our daily lives.”

In a special address given online, Professor Zhang Guangjun, Vice Minister of Science and Technology, said: “Hong Kong is an important gathering place for global innovation elements and a key hub in the global innovation network. With its advantage of motherland’s strong backing and world connection, Hong Kong plays an indispensable and important role in the country’s innovation infrastructure. The Ministry of Science and Technology will work closely with the Hong Kong SAR Government to implement President Xi Jinping’s series of important pledges on science and technology innovation and the promotion of Hong Kong’s prosperous development, and to put into practice Agreement between the Mainland and Hong Kong on Expediting the Development of Hong Kong into an International Innovation and Technology Centre, so as to promote innovation and technology as a new engine for Hong Kong’s development.”

The InnoEx Forum will feature government officials from different mainland provinces and cities, representatives promoting smart city development from various countries and regions, and executives from leading technology companies and unicorns, who will gather together to discuss a range of topical technology issues.

InnoEX provides a platform for fostering collaboration among leaders from different countries and regions. More than 100 government officials with responsibility for promoting smart city development from the mainland and various ASEAN countries have been invited to visit the exhibition. Several officials will participate in tomorrow’s ASEAN Smart City Development Roundtable, sharing their experience in developing smart cities with representatives from the HKSAR Government and exhibitors from different regions. At the same time, exhibitors will have the opportunity to establish connections with officials from various places to build cooperation. A series of themed events will be held during the exhibition, allowing start-ups to learn from experts and promote their products and ideas to potential buyers and investors to explore new commercial opportunities.

InnoEX offers a wide range of themes, including the Smart City, Smart Economy, Smart Environment, Smart Government, Smart Living and Smart Mobility. The Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) of the HKSAR has set up the Smart Hong Kong Pavilion (Booth: 3F-C01), featuring more than 100 innovative solutions to drive smart city development in Hong Kong, including technology solutions adopted by government departments and award-winning exhibits from local innovators. The Innovation and Technology Commission, meanwhile, presents artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics projects undertaken by 14 research laboratories in collaboration with world-renowned universities under the HKSAR Government’s InnoHK initiative (Booth: 3E-B01).

Following the easing of the pandemic situation, Hong Kong has established closer trade ties with the mainland resulting in 12 pavilions from 10 provinces and cities joining the InnoEx physical exhibition. These include Zhongguancun Beijing (Booth:3E-A01), the Hong Kong Alumni Association of Beijing Universities (Booth: 3E-B06), pavilions from Zhejiang (Booth: 3E-D01) and Hangzhou (Booth: 3F-B01), pavilions from Jiangsu (Booth: 3F-A02) and Nanjing (Booth: 3F-C03), Shangdong Qilu Software Park (Booth: 3G-E04), G60 Shanghai Songjiang Science and Technology Innovation Corridor (Booth: 3D-E01), the Hong Kong/Shanghai Data Cooperation Pavilion (Booth: 3D-E02), Shenzhen Pavilion (Booth: 3F-A01), and pavilions from Xiamen (Booth: 3E-B05) and Chengdu (Booth: 3G-A03).

The exhibition has also attracted leading innovation and technology institutions and organisations, including local universities and research centres, major technology companies such as Huawei and Hikvision, and various local and overseas pavilions, including the B4B Big Data Application Challenge, Cyberport, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, the Smart City Consortium, the So French So Innovative pavilion from France (Booth: 3G-B01), and the Canadian pavilion (3G-C01). Representatives from the government, industry, academia, and research communities from around the world are joining the event to learn more about exhibitors’ solutions and explore procurement opportunities. Another major technology fair held concurrently with InnoEx is the Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition), featuring three special themed zones: the Hall of Fame, the Startup Zone and Tech Hall. Highlight products include a driver assistant system from a Korean exhibitor (Booth: 3C-C22) that uses intelligent cameras to detect images of roads, vehicles and pedestrians for issuing warnings to drivers when potential dangers arise. A mainland exhibitor is introducing a smart mirror (Booth: 1CON-031) that helps users get fit by following the instructor’s moves in the mirror, which also tracks movements to help correct posture. A Hong Kong exhibitor, meanwhile, is showcasing a baby monitor (Booth: N104-01) that keeps track of baby’s skin temperature, heart rate and sleep quality in real-time, allowing parents to access crucial information via their smartphones or tablets.

The Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition) features the Hall of Aurora, displaying innovative lighting designs by leading brands. The Connected and Smart Lighting zone features the latest lighting solutions, including a Hong Kong exhibitor’s research on an end-to-end intelligent lighting system (Booth: 1C-A23) and a smart deco series that adjusts lighting based on day and night rhythms (Booth: 1B-C10). Pavilions from the mainland also feature at the fair, showcasing various smart lighting, people-oriented, and sustainable development solutions, one example being a Shenzhen exhibitor’s research on a smart linear lighting system to automatically adjust brightness (Booth: 1A-D24) along with wildlife-friendly lighting products (Booth: 1A-D02).

A series of forums, panel discussions and seminars have been arranged throughout the three fairs to keep industry participants updated and informed. Highlights include:

InnoEx
– So French So Innovative Conference 2023 (13 and 14 April)
The So French So Innovative pavilion will demonstrate how Paris is taking advantage of the 2024 Olympic Games to promote innovation.

HKTDC Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition)
– Under 30 – Tech Trends Symposium for the Next Generation (15 April)
Under the theme “The Era of Hyperautomation”, specially invited industry leaders will share on the impact of robotics and automation on technology development, smart manufacturing and daily life.

HKTDC International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition)
– Asian Lighting Forum (13 April)
Themed “Illuminating the Interconnected World”, the forum will see several industry luminaries delve into a range of topics involving human-centric smart lighting solutions, sustainable development and lighting designs that can create appropriate moods and ambience.

Please refer to https://www.hktdc.com/event/innoex/en/programme for more events.

The inaugural InnoEX is the flagship event of Business of Innovation and Technology Week (BITWeek), driven by the Government of HKSAR and HKTDC. BITWeek also features the HKTDC’s Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition) and the Digital Economy Summit co-organised by the HKSAR Government and Cyberport. The Hong Kong Web3 Festival 2023 is held concurrently.

* The three tech fairs include: the first-ever InnoEX jointly organised by the HKSAR Government and the HKTDC, Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition) and Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition).

Websites
– InnoEX: https://www.hktdc.com/event/innoex/en
– Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition): https://www.hktdc.com/event/hkelectronicsfairse/en
– Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition): https://www.hktdc.com/event/hklightingfairse/en
– The HKTDC’s Media Room: http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/en
– Photo download: https://bit.ly/3o8YArC

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 more information, please contact Raconteur:
Molisa Lau, Tel: +852 6187 7786, Email: molisalau@raconteur.hk
Betsy Tse, Tel: +852 9742 7338, Email: betsytse@raconteur.hk

The HKTDC’s Communications and Public Affairs Department:
Eric Wong, Tel: +852 2584 4575, Email: eric.ks.wong@hktdc.org
Clementine Cheung, Tel: +852 2584 4514, Email: clementine.hm.cheung@hktdc.org

Inaugural InnoEX promoting Hong Kong’s Innovation and Technology Development

Over 2,600 exhibitors from 19 countries and regions join HKTDC’s Three Major Technology Exhibitions

Innovation and technology (I&T) play an important role in Hong Kong’s development blueprint, especially in the growing demand for smart city technologies and applications, bringing more opportunities for technology companies and start-ups. Leveraging Hong Kong’s role as an innovation and technology hub, the first-ever InnoEX, jointly organised by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), will bring together international exhibitors and buyers, officials from Mainland China and ASEAN tech experts, research centres and thought leaders to promote cross-regional, cross-industry and cross-sector cooperation through I&T exchange. Taking place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) from 12 to 15 April, alongside the HKTDC-organised Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition) and Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition), under the theme of “Connecting the World with Innovations for Better Living”, the three major technology exhibitions are set to attract over 2,600 exhibitors from 19 countries and regions, highlighting Hong Kong’s growing strength as a centre for technology and innovation, while also reflecting further normalisation of international trade after Hong Kong’s re-opening.

Joining today’s press conference to introduce highlights and details of the three technology fairs, including the newly launched InnoEX, are Acting Government Chief Information Officer Mr. Tony Wong (L), HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Ms. Sophia Chong (centre), and Chairman, Electronics/Electrical Appliances Industries Advisory Committee of the HKTDC, Mr. Steve Chuang (R)

By utilising patented technology, Invisible & Innovative Technology (Asia) Limited is transforming wood waste into high-quality audio products, promoting sustainable development.

Scan the World Limited showcases at the press conference its metaverse solution, which combines real-world and online shopping experiences, and showcases tourist attractions in the digital world.

At a press conference held today to introduce this year’s technology exhibitions, Ms. Sophia Chong, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC, said: “HKTDC is committed to promoting innovation and technology, fostering start-ups and promoting Hong Kong’s development in the digital economy and smart city through a series of events themed on I&T, and promoting the strength of local I&T to the Mainland and overseas markets. The inaugural InnoEX is the flagship event of Business of Innovation and Technology Week (BITWeek), driven by the Government of HKSAR and HKTDC. BITWeek also features the HKTDC’s Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition) and the Digital Economy Summit co-organised by the HKSAR Government and Cyberport. Alongside the 2023 Hong Kong Web3 Carnival that will be held concurrently, the series of events reflect Hong Kong’s determination to develop into an international centre for innovation and technology, confirming Hong Kong’s leading position as an international trade exhibition centre.

Cross-industry cooperation facilitates commercialisation of innovation achievements
The Central Government has pledged to support Hong Kong’s development as an international I&T centre under its 14th Five-Year Plan, with the aim of promoting the development of I&T. As a key highlight of the forthcoming three technology fairs, the inaugural InnoEX will build on the success of the HKTDC’s International ICT Expo by showcasing exceptional innovations and a range of cutting-edge I&T solutions on smart living, inviting reputable international experts and opinion leaders to discuss some of the most important issues in the area of technological development. InnoEX will promote multifaceted cooperation, including business-to-business (B2B), government-to-government (G2G), and government-to-business (G2B), and will help to build bridges between technology institutions and markets with an aim to promote the commercialisation of innovations, as well as support global market expansion. On the first day of the event, Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, will officiate at the opening ceremony, and Professor Zhang Guangjun, Vice Minister of Science and Technology, will deliver the keynote address.

“Smart Hong Kong Pavilion” and AIR@InnoHK showcase cutting-edge tech solutions
The first-ever InnoEX focuses on several themes, including the Smart City, Smart Economy, Smart Environment, Smart Government, Smart Living and Smart Mobility. The Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) of the HKSAR will set up the “Smart Hong Kong Pavilion”, featuring more than 100 innovative solutions for driving the smart city development in Hong Kong, including technology solutions adopted by government departments and winning exhibits from local innovators. The Innovation and Technology Commission, meanwhile, will present AI & robotics projects undertaken by 14 research laboratories in collaboration with world-renowned universities under InnoHK.

Close cooperation already exists between Hong Kong and Mainland China in relation to I&T development. Twelve pavilions from 10 Mainland China provinces and cities will join the exhibition to promote technological exchange and cooperation. The pavilions include Zhongguancun Beijing, Hong Kong Alumni Association of Beijing Universities, pavilions from Zhejiang and Hangzhou, pavilions from Jiangsu and Nanjing, Qingdao Qilu Software Park, G60 Shanghai Songjiang Science and Technology Innovation Corridor, the Hong Kong / Shanghai Data Cooperation Pavilion, Shenzhen Pavilion, and pavilions from Xiamen and Chengdu respectively.

Other exhibitors include local universities and research institutions, leading technology companies such as Huawei and Hikvision, and multiple local and overseas pavilions, including B4B Challenge, Cyberport, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks, Smart City Consortium, the French “So French So Innovative” pavilion and a Canadian pavilion.

At the same time, representatives from government, relevant industry sectors, academia and research sectors from around the world, including industry giants such as Tencent, Samsung Electronics and Alibaba, will also be present to learn about exhibitors’ solutions and/or place purchase orders.

ASEAN officials attend Roundtable to discuss experiences in smart city development
Various countries in the ASEAN bloc are actively developing smart cities, and the InnoEX event will serve as an ideal platform to promote cooperation among them. Over 60 government officials from ASEAN countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, The Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam as well as from Mainland China, who are responsible for promoting smart city development will visit InnoEX, Some of them will participate in the ASEAN Roundtable, where they will share their experiences with representatives from the HKSAR Government and exhibitors from different countries and regions. This will also provide an opportunity for exhibitors and officials to establish connections and promote cooperation.

Distinguished international experts share latest technological trends
Another highlight event is the InnoEX Forum, with internationally renowned technology experts invited as keynote speakers. Named by Forbes as a ground-breaking female entrepreneur in Southeast Asia, Dr. Ayesha Khanna, CEO of Addo AI and a strategic advisor on artificial intelligence, smart cities, and the metaverse to leading corporations and governments worldwide including SMRT (Singapore’s prominent public transport company), Pfizer, SOMPO (Japan’s largest insurance firm), Habib Bank and Smart Dubai etc. Ayesha will share her insights on how companies can utilise artificial intelligence (AI) and automation to stay ahead of the competition. Mr. Matthew Griffin, a futurist and foresight expert with clients including world leaders, G7 and G20 governments, and the most recognised brands such as Accenture, BCG, Microsoft and Samsung, will discuss how technology is expected to impact different industries in the future. Also joining the forum to discuss a range of crucial technological issues will be government officials from different provinces and cities in Mainland China, representatives from organisations promoting smart city development worldwide, top executives from leading technology enterprises, and leaders from unicorn companies.

InnoEX offers a range of thought-provoking events for participants. Among them are start-up introduction and sharing sessions, mentoring sessions and investment matchmaking meetings, providing a unique platform through which start-ups can showcase their products and ideas and pitch to potential buyers and investors. By opening new avenues for business development, the various events will help to pave the way to commercial success for startup entrepreneurs.

Spring Electronics Fair showcases latest innovative products
Another highlight of BITWeek is the HKTDC Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition), with special theme zones including the Hall of Fame, the Startup Zone and Tech Hall, showcasing an abundance of cutting-edge electronic products. A series of activities will be held as part of the fair including the “Under 30 – Tech Trends Symposium for the Next Generation”. Respected industry leaders such as Ms. Maria Tang, Corporate Vice President, AMD; Mr. Bruce Huang, Vice President of Research and Development, CloudMinds; and Mr. Billy Siu, Business Development Director-HK and Taiwan, Geek Plus International, will share their insights on the impact of robotics and automation in technological development, smart manufacturing, and people’s daily lives.

Spring Lighting Fair illuminates path towards intelligent lighting solutions
This year’s HKTDC International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition) will feature the Hall of Aurora, where leading brands and innovative lighting designs are on display, while the Connected and Smart Lighting zone will present an array of innovative solutions that promote energy conservation and unlock the potential for smart homes and offices, and the Innobuild zone will bring exhibitors of building technologies, safety, security and electrical systems for buildings, building materials and hardware all under one roof. The exhibition will also cover other areas such as commercial lighting, decorative lighting, residential lighting and technical lighting.

The Asian Lighting Forum, co-organised by the Hong Kong Electronics & Technologies Association and the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, under the theme “Illuminating a Connected World”, is a must-attend event for those looking to stay ahead of the curve in the lighting industry. Distinguished speakers will delve deep into the latest industry issues ranging from human-centric and smart lighting solutions to sustainability developments and world-class lighting designs that transform ambience.

EXHIBITION+ service helps SMEs expand business opportunities
The three tech fairs will continue to adopt the HKTDC’s EXHIBITION+ model that integrates online and offline elements. It includes physical exhibitions, the Click2Match smart business matching platform, online-and-offline seminars and forums (Intelligence Hub), and the hktdc.com Sourcing platform. This integrated approach aims to extend face-to-face interactions and promotional activities from in-person events to online platforms. The Click2Match intelligent business matching platform will be open to participants from 12 to 22 April.

*The three tech fairs include the first-ever InnoEX, jointly organised by the HKSAR Government and the HKTDC, the HKTDC Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition) and the HKTDC Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition).

Websites
– InnoEX: http://innoex.hktdc.com/
– Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition): http://hkelectronicsfairse.hktdc.com/
– Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition): http://hklightingfairse.hktdc.com/
– Photo download: https://bit.ly/40L33Pz

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 more information, please contact Raconteur:
Molisa Lau, Tel: +852 6187 7786, Email: molisalau@raconteur.hk
Betsy Tse, Tel: +852 9742 7338, Email: betsytse@raconteur.hk

The HKTDC’s Communications and Public Affairs Department:
Eric Wong, Tel: +852 2584 4575, Email: eric.ks.wong@hktdc.org
Clementine Cheung, Tel: +852 2584 4514, Email: clementine.hm.cheung@hktdc.org