Tag: hktdc

HKTDC International Sourcing Show run with new EXHIBITION+ model draws to successful close

Over 20,000 buyers seize global opportunities online and offline

Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the International Sourcing Show physical fair, run with the new EXHIBITION+ (EPLUS) model, drew to a successful close on 15 July. Over 20,000 industry buyers attended the physical event and browsed products online. The event facilitated more than 5,000 business meetings, connecting exhibitors with global buyers both online and offline.

The International Sourcing Show drew to a successful close on 15 July. A large number of industry players were attracted to join the physical fairs.
The physical fairs were held in the form of display showcases, presenting products from seven trade fairs with more than 1,730 exhibitors from 12 countries and regions.
The International Sourcing Show ran with the brand-new online exhibition model EXHIBITION+, facilitating more than 5,000 business meetings online and offline, connecting exhibitors with global buyers.

The International Sourcing Show attracted more than 1,730 exhibitors from 12 countries and regions, presenting in excess of 83,000 products. The show gathered seven trade fairs under one umbrella, including the HKTDC Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition), Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition), Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair, Hong Kong Houseware Fair, Hong Kong Fashion Week, Hong Kong International Home Textiles and Furnishings Fair, and the Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair (jointly organised by the CIEC Exhibition Company (HK) Limited). The new EPLUS model helped extend interactions between exhibitors and buyers to the online platform, helping enterprises to continue exploring “blue ocean” opportunities via the smart online business-matching platform Click2Match and hktdc.com Sourcing.

Positive feedback from EPLUS users
Participating exhibitors proactively used Click2Match to search for potential partners and took the initiative to arrange meetings with buyers from all over the world at their own convenience. Sophia Chong, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC, said: “As the first event to use the new EPLUS exhibition model, the International Sourcing Show has generated positive feedback from users. We are happy to see many exhibitors harness the platform to seize business opportunities, contact global buyers, and facilitate order agreements around the clock and across borders. We will continue to use EPLUS in our upcoming trade fairs to further assist different sectors of Hong Kong business to connect with international buyers.”

Connecting to global buyers via online and offline business matching meetings
Rosana Lau, Deputy Marketing Manager of Gold China Development Ltd, which specialises in the production of kitchenware, tableware and home decoration items, explained that the company was looking for new local and overseas buyers through the International Sourcing Show. Using the HKTDC’s Click2Match platform, the firm arranged at least eight online meetings with overseas buyers from Brazil, Japan and the United States. Also, with the help of the HKTDC’s business matching team, they met with potential buyers from hotel groups and premium online gift shops.

Lubee Chak, Brand Director of Louise Castle Company, a premium fashion brand for tailor-made men’s suits and accessories, said that in addition to talking to more than 10 buyers at the physical fair, the HKTDC’s business matching team helped the firm arrange online meetings with buyers from Hong Kong, Japan, Mainland China and Thailand, helping it to raise brand awareness and build a stronger foundation for future business development in overseas markets.

Beyond Li, General Manager, Zhejiang Jupeng Drinkware Co Ltd, a company specialising in manufacturing thermal mugs and sports water bottles, said that apart from displaying products at the physical fair of the International Sourcing Show, the company also participated in the online fair to find new customers. They established a number of contacts through the physical fair and talked to around eight gift buyers from France, Hong Kong, Indonesia and the Philippines via online meetings. Buyers from Hong Kong and France expressed an intention to place orders worth US$200,000 for their thermal mugs and sports water bottles. The International Sourcing Show provided the company with an effective channel to find quality buyers and capture online-to-offline business opportunities.

On-site business networking sessions
The HKTDC organised two business networking sessions during the physical show to connect buyers and suppliers. Beattie Leung, Sales Manager at Shinzen International Ltd, a distributor and wholesaler of pet supplies and pet food, said the company wanted to add pet backpacks and pet toys to its portfolio and to develop new markets such as Mainland China and Southeast Asia. Through the business networking session, they connected with a potential supplier from which they planned to place an order of 1,000 pet backpacks. Ms Leung said her company felt comfortable working with Hong Kong suppliers because they were reliable and able to provide quality products.

Hector Pang, Chairman of the China Affairs Committee at SME Global Alliance, said the physical edition of the International Sourcing Show provided an ideal platform for its members with factories in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to find new suppliers of raw materials and identify business opportunities. The alliance found a suitable supplier of eco-friendly non-woven bags from Mainland China and decided to place an order of 50,000 pieces that will be distributed to its members.

Zhejiang enterprises reached out to global buyers via International Sourcing Show
The Department of Commerce of Zhejiang Province gathered exhibitors from the gifts and printing and packaging industries, forming the largest pavilion at the show. It was also the first time for the Zhejiang Pavilion to participate in the fair remotely. Sophia Chong, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC, and Chen Zhicheng, Deputy Director General, Department of Commerce of Zhejiang Province, met online to officiate the launch of the Zhejiang Pavilion. Zhu Ying, Director of the Trade and Development Department, Department of Commerce of Zhejiang Province, and Zhang Shuangwen, General Manager of CIEC Exhibition Company (HK) Limited, also joined the ceremony and a group photo-taking session to commemorate the occasion. The opening ceremony can be viewed on the fair website and through the Click2Match platform.

Websites
– hktdc.com Sourcing platform: http://sourcing.hktdc.com
– EXHIBITION+: http://hktdc.com/eplus
– HKTDC Media Room: http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/tc
– Photo download: https://bit.ly/3PBybeI

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:
Clayton Lauw, Tel: +852 2584 4472, Email: clayton.y.lauw@hktdc.org
Agnes Wat, Tel: +852 2584 4554, Email: agnes.ky.wat@hktdc.org

10 winning start-ups stand out at Start-up Express

  • Innovative solutions in art, finance, health, green tech and more

The fifth edition of Start-up Express, an entrepreneurship development programme organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), came to a successful conclusion today. The Pitching Final, which was streamed live, saw 10 winning start-ups selected from a total of 20 shortlisted companies. The “My Favourite Start-up Award”, decided through live online polling, was awarded to Good Food Technologies, while the newly added ESG Award went to i2Cool in recognition of its sustainable and socially efficient business solution. The 10 winning teams will participate in a series of local and international events to develop their businesses by building connections, exploring markets, seeking partners and enhancing brand awareness.

The Start-up Express Pitching Final winners pictured together with the judging panel and special guests. Ben Cheng, Managing Partner, C Ventures; Jason Chiu, Chairman, Hong Kong Start-up Council; Stephen Liang, Assistant Executive Director, HKTDC; Raymond Yung, Vice Chairman, AMTD Group; and Arshad Chowdhury, Managing Partner, Betatron Venture Group [back row, L-R]
The distinguished judging panel witnessed the rise of the latest cohort of Start-up Express winners
Renowned stand-up comedian Vivek Mahbubani was the event’s host, taking the opportunity to chat with entrepreneurs from some of the participating start-ups

Stephen Liang, HKTDC Assistant Executive Director, said: “As the pandemic situation gradually begins to ease, innovative business models and ideas will become a new stimulus for the economy in post-pandemic times. The enrolment for Start-up Express 2022 reflected the great enthusiasm of Hong Kong’s entrepreneurs, with 20 shortlisted start-ups coming from a broader spectrum of fields than ever before, including arts tech, green tech, health tech, prop tech, fintech, smart city tech, edtech, food tech and others. Over the past four years, the programme has nurtured 40 start-ups and the HKTDC continues to pass on the spirit of entrepreneurship in Hong Kong, assisting local start-ups in growing their businesses to the next level. At the same time, we strive to create a sustainable and international entrepreneurial ecosystem.”

Diverse opportunities offered to winning start-ups
Pitching Final contestants presented their innovative business ideas and responded to questions raised by a distinguished panel of judges as well as the online audience. This year’s judging panel comprised Raymond Yung, Vice Chairman, AMTD Group; Jason Chiu, Chairman, Hong Kong Start-up Council; Andrew Young, Associate Director (Innovation), Sino Group; Ben Cheng, Managing Partner, C Ventures; and Arshad Chowdhury, Managing Partner, Betatron Venture Group. The 10 winning start-ups are: Allklear Health, Beth Bioinformatics, Calioo Technologies, Custonomy Company, EggLogics, Flow, Good Food Technologies, i2Cool, MixCare Health and PONS.ai (click here https://tinyurl.com/2p8kvfxs to download the list of winners and their company profiles). The HKTDC will arrange a series of exposure opportunities through which the winning teams can interact with buyers and investors.

Outstanding presentations at Pitching Final
AMTD Group was the exclusive Strategic Partner of Start-up Express for the fourth consecutive year. Calvin Choi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AMTD Group and Founder of AMTD IDEA, shared his thoughts on the contest, saying that all the contestants presented extraordinary business ideas. “This is the fourth year that AMTD has supported HKTDC’s Start-up Express as an exclusive Strategic Partner. The wide range of start-ups participating in this year’s Pitching Final continue to innovate and develop in a more diverse and contemporary way. In particular, we saw more start-ups coming from art tech, food tech and other emerging areas this year, which shows that local start-ups are market-sensitive, quick to respond to the direction and dynamics of emerging industries, as well as reactive to rising trends and fads of the times,” Mr Choi said.

Noting that local businesses across different sectors had been affected by the pandemic, he added: “It is encouraging to see Hong Kong start-ups remaining active despite the difficulties and on the lookout for opportunities under the new normal. Government policies and the social environment have been very supportive of start-ups, too. I am confident that if local start-ups can continue their efforts, stay flexible and be determined to find unique opportunities in the new normal, they can definitely stand out from their competitors in an ever-changing business environment and find a sustainable way forward.”

The “SpiderNet Start-up Award”, established to recognise the top performer selected by AMTD in the Pitching Final, was awarded to EggLogics. The award aims to provide the winner with an exclusive opportunity to access the resources and network of the AMTD SpiderNet ecosystem. The winner will benefit greatly in terms of its future business development and at the same time create synergies with other entrepreneurs within the ecosystem.

Jason Chiu, Chairman of the Hong Kong Start-up Council and a member of this year’s judging panel, said: “It is my pleasure to be on the judging panel again this year. There is tremendous competition in this year’s contest. All the start-up teams used their innovative mindsets to deliver exceptional pitches and shone through, highlighting the fact that local tech talents are extremely capable. I am confident that Start-up Express will serve as a springboard for the winning teams to access more opportunities. They can leverage this platform to expand their business network, explore markets in Mainland China especially the Greater Bay Area and overseas, and take their business to the next level.”

Start-up Express boosts brand awareness and network expansion
Start-up Express provides start-ups with the chance to promote their business ideas and enhance their brand awareness while connecting with investors and industry leaders, as well as acquiring business know-how from industry experts. Calvin Cheng, founder and CEO of Wizpresso which was a winner in the 2021 Start-up Express, said: “With the assistance provided by the HKTDC, we gained a lot of exposure that helped greatly with our brand promotion. We also had the chance to participate in international trade fairs to connect with potential clients. These are the kind of valuable opportunities open to Start-up Express winners.”

Logistics platform Zeek, another winning team at last year’s Pitching Final, has successfully established a presence in Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and other markets. KK Chiu, CEO of Zeek, said the company was able to grow its business connections by meeting with different businesses under the coordination of the HKTDC. Through HKTDC-organised local and overseas events, it also gained the opportunity to promote its brand to other local and international businesses.

Start-up Express International Edition launches in December
The HKTDC has always given its full support to Hong Kong’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, helping to maintain the city’s status as a competitive business centre and hub for innovation. In celebration of the fifth anniversary of Start-up Express, the first International Edition of the contest will be held this December as part of HKTDC Entrepreneur Day. Winning teams from Hong Kong will compete with outstanding start-ups from Mainland China, USA, the UK, Germany, Israel, Japan, Korea, Singapore and other countries and regions. Winners in the International Edition will be offered comprehensive assistance to enter the Hong Kong market and explore opportunities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area via the Hong Kong platform.

Start-up Express website: https://portal.hktdc.com/startupexpress/en/
Photo download: https://bit.ly/3HnvEBW

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

HKTDC Export Index 2Q22: HK Export Index rebounds across all markets and sectors

Sentiment improves as impact of pandemic recedes

The HKTDC Export Index grew 6.2 points to 30.9 in the second quarter of 2022, the first rise in the past 12 months, indicating that local exporters have begun to regain confidence in the city’s export outlook as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic gradually subsides and supply chain disruption and logistics bottlenecks show signs of easing.

HKTDC Director of Research Irina Fan (R) and Assistant Principal Economist (Greater China) Alice Tsang (L) announced the HKTDC Export Index for the second quarter of 2022 at a press conference today (14 June)

“The lockdown measures in Mainland China may have had an impact on local businesses with regard to production shutdowns and delayed shipments. Nevertheless, with the pandemic beginning to recede, cross-border cargo flows and many manufacturing activities getting back to normal, our latest survey findings show a significant improvement in the overall business sentiment, although exporters remain cautious,” said Irina Fan, Director of Research, Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), speaking at a press conference today.

Reduced impact
In the latest survey of local exporters, fewer respondents said that their business had been negatively affected by the pandemic over the past few months (79.1%, down 14 percentage points from the last quarter), while only 35.8% cited it as their top concern for the coming months (down 17.7 percentage points).

In addition, fewer exporters experienced pandemic challenges such as difficulties in communicating with buyers/suppliers (21.6%, down 20 percentage points), shortages in raw materials/parts and components (34.6%, down 11.9 percentage points) and order cancellations (16.7%, down 9.7 percentage points). “Nonetheless, increased transportation costs (72.6%) remained as one of the key concerns,” Ms Fan said.

Forecast unchanged
Summing up the situation, Ms Fan said a strong recovery in Hong Kong’s trade performance is expected in the second half of 2022. “Our export forecast for this year remains unchanged at an 8% increase compared to 2021,” she said. However, Ms Fan stressed that the strong growth in total export value is mainly driven by cost-induced price rises, while export volumes are likely to remain stagnant, or even see a decline.

She also reminded local exporters to be aware of the risks from stagflation, geopolitical tensions and a pandemic resurgence, “all of which may hinder the revival of global demand”.

Hong Kong exports outlook by key markets
Hong Kong exports outlook by key sectors
* See https://mediaroom.hktdc.com/en/pressrelease/detail/20356/

Toy sector and Japan market top the list
The HKTDC conducts the Export Index survey every quarter, interviewing 500 local exporters from six major industries including machinery, electronics, jewellery, watches and clocks, toys and clothing, to gauge business confidence in near-term export prospects. The Index indicates an optimistic or pessimistic outlook, with 50 as the dividing line.

HKTDC Assistant Principal Economist (Greater China) Alice Tsang said the upturn of exporter confidence was seen across all major markets and in all industry sectors. “Among them, the Japan market (47.6) and the toy sector (38.7) provided the most promising outlook, while the EU (42.3, up 2.8 points) and timepieces (34.6, up 14.9 points) showed the greatest improvement.”

“Traders are facing rising cost pressure as export prices are set to surge in the next couple of months. The Trade Value Index remained in expansionary territory at 51.7, despite a 1.1-point fall quarter-on-quarter,” she added.

All other sub-indexes, including the Employment Index (45.3, up 4.9 points) Procurement Index (25, up 4.7 points) and Offshore Trade Index (23.1, up 8 points) , also saw an upward trend, indicating that recruitment activities have stabilised alongside improvements in offshore trade and procurement.

Diversifying products and markets
Ms Tsang said issues such as the US interest rate hike, Russia-Ukraine conflict, and a weakening renminbi have yet to affect the business of Hong Kong exporters, with most respondents reporting no negative impacts (70.7%, 69.1% and 56.9% respectively) to date in these three areas.

Some respondents said they had experienced increased operating costs (21.9%), reduced buyer orders (13.8%) and increased financing costs (9.4%) due to the US interest rate hike, while the main impacts resulted from the Russia-Ukraine conflict are increased transportation costs (20.1%), shortages in raw materials/parts and components (13.2%) and disruption to logistics/distribution arrangements (12.8%).

She said diversification is Hong Kong exporters’ favoured business strategy to help them spread risks and at the same time capitalise on new market opportunities. Many of them are planning to develop other product lines (41.2%), diversify sales into additional overseas markets (35.6%) and establish a presence in the mainland’s domestic market (22.1%).

References
– HKTDC Research website: http://research.hktdc.com/
– HKTDC Export Index 2Q22: First Rally in Exporter Confidence for 12 months https://bit.ly/3zLmv4v
– 2022 Mid-Year Export Review: Expect a Strong Rebound in the Second Half https://bit.ly/3zLmRIn
– Photo download: https://bit.ly/3xKAiXt

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

Start-up Express Pitching Final takes place on 15 June

Social innovation programme drives diverse tech developments

Start-up Express, an entrepreneurship development programme organised annually by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), has returned for its fifth edition. As they face up to issues arising from the ongoing pandemic and adverse global economy, start-up enterprises are in need of support more than ever before. This year’s programme continues to help entrepreneurs develop their businesses by building connections, exploring markets, seeking partners and enhancing brand awareness.

In 2021, 10 winning teams were selected for the Start-up Express Pitching Final
Allklear advocates the concept of plant-based, functional and sustainable foods through innovative technology to produce a new generation of future health foods
i2cool has developed a radiative cooling paint that reduces the surface temperature of buildings as well as saving energy and reducing carbon emissions

Nurturing a sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem

Stephen Liang, Assistant Executive Director of HKTDC, said the HKTDC would continue its commitment to supporting entrepreneurs in expanding their businesses, especially during the pandemic, in addition to promoting the city’s capabilities in the areas of innovation and technology.

“Since the first edition of Start-up Express in 2018, the programme has already nurtured 40 start-ups, most of which are still active and have expanded on a considerable scale. Start-up Express has given tremendous support to local start-ups, helping them explore global markets, seal major orders and win international awards. We will continue our quest to spread the spirit of entrepreneurship in Hong Kong, assisting start-ups in growing their businesses to the next level and helping them gain a foothold in the global arena. The HKTDC remains committed to building a sustainable and international entrepreneurial ecosystem that promotes local economic growth and business development,” Mr Liang said.

New ESG Award recognises socially aware projects
Start-up Express is aimed at local tech start-ups that have plans to expand into international markets. As the pandemic situation gradually begins to ease, innovative business models and fresh ideas will provide a new stimulus for the economy in post-pandemic times. The enrolment for Start-up Express 2022 reflects the great enthusiasm of local entrepreneurs, with shortlisted start-ups coming from a broader spectrum of fields than ever before including emerging technologies such as art tech, green tech, health tech, prop tech, fintech, smart city tech, edtech, food tech and more. This year, the ESG Award has been added to reward the most sustainable and socially efficient start-up.

HKTDC offers full support to boost business development
The Pitching Final of this year’s Start-up Express will be held on 15 June. The winning start-ups will be offered access to capability-building workshops, mentoring sessions, exploratory missions to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, marketing sessions, extensive publicity and investor pitching opportunities. These activities will help the winning entrepreneurs hone their business skills, gain access to the latest market insights and acquire business know-how from experienced industry leaders. The winning start-ups will also be presented with opportunities to interact with buyers and investors at HKTDC-organised local and overseas events. In addition, the HKTDC will arrange business matching meetings, helping the entrepreneurs to connect with potential partners, increase their media exposure and enhance brand awareness.

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

Professional judging panel to select 10 most outstanding start-ups
In the 2022 Pitching Final, the judging panel will select 10 outstanding teams out of 20 shortlisted start-ups. This year’s panel comprises Raymond Yung, Vice Chairman, AMTD Group; Jason Chiu, Chairman, Hong Kong Start-up Council; Andrew Young, Associate Director (Innovation), Sino Group; Ben Cheng, Managing Partner, C Ventures; and Arshad Chowdhury, Managing Partner, Betatron Venture Group. In addition, AMTD Group is the Strategic Partner of Start-up Express for the fourth consecutive year.

Start-ups selected for the shortlisted top 20 in the Pitching Final have all presented innovative business solutions that help address social and environmental issues. Among them:
– Allklear advocates the concept of plant-based, functional and sustainable foods through innovative technology to produce a new generation of future health foods.
– i2cool has developed a radiative cooling paint that consumes no energy and does not require any cooling agent, and is able to reduce the surface temperature of buildings.
– PONS.ai, an artificial intelligence-powered phygital social marketplace for art and entertainment products, aims to empower creators worldwide with digital ownership.
– FlashGreen champions environmental friendliness by recycling stocks of short-dated, best-before-date foods from suppliers and reselling them at lower prices in vending machines.

Start-up Express 2022 Pitching Final
– Date: 15 June 2022 (Wednesday)
– Time: 1:45pm Media registration; 2pm-5pm Start-up Express Pitching Final
– Venue:
HKTDC SME Centre
G/F, HKCEC
1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai

Due to limited space, a livestream session will be arranged at the Media Centre. Media representatives are welcome to interview the winning start-ups at the SME Centre after the event has concluded.

– Judging panel
Raymond Yung, Vice Chairman, AMTD Group
Jason Chiu, Chairman, Hong Kong Start-up Council
Andrew Young, Associate Director (Innovation), Sino Group
Ben Cheng, Managing Partner, C Ventures
Arshad Chowdhury, Managing Partner, Betatron Venture Group
– Shortlisted start-ups: Click here ( https://tinyurl.com/Start-up-Express ) to view the profiles of the shortlisted start-ups.
– Start-up Express website: https://portal.hktdc.com/startupexpress/

Media registration
To join the online livestreaming of the contest, media representatives are asked to complete the registration form below and email it to clayton.y.lauw@hktdc.org. https://mediaroom.hktdc.com/en/pressrelease/detail/20354/

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

Media enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Clayton Lauw, Tel: +852 2584 4472, Email: clayton.y.lauw@hktdc.org

About HKTDC
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong’s trade. With 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Follow us on Twitter @hktdc and LinkedIn

HKTDC: 93% of international buyers used online sourcing platforms during pandemic

HKTDC’s latest survey reveals hybrid fairs as the future

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant disruption to global sourcing patterns. According to a new survey commissioned by Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) Research, the vast majority of international buyers (93%) have used online sourcing platforms since the pandemic began, with more than 85% attending virtual fairs to meet their sourcing needs. However, most buyers surveyed said they would prefer to source via physical fairs (63%) or hybrid fairs (59%) once travel restrictions are lifted.

HKTDC Director of Research Irina Fan said physical fairs and hybrid fairs are the future as the two formats can complement each other.

HKTDC’s Irina Fan – hybrid and physical fairs are complementary
Commenting on the findings of the survey, HKTDC Director of Research Irina Fan said: “The survey reflects that more buyers have been choosing to purchase online due to the pandemic. However, this makes it difficult to perform tasks such as product examination and evaluation as well as supplier authentication. We believe that physical fairs and hybrid fairs are the future, with the two complementing each other.”

The HKTDC commissioned independent research institution Ipsos to conduct the study, titled “B2B Online Sourcing: A Buyer Behaviour Study Towards Recovery”, between May and October 2021, interviewing about 600 international buyers from Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries, Australia, Europe, Mainland China and the United States to gauge their views on international sourcing patterns following the onset of the pandemic.

According to the survey, 93% of respondents said they had used online sourcing platforms during the past 12 months where they conducted more than 60% of their sourcing on average; 43% said they had engaged more suppliers than they did prior to the pandemic using online sourcing platforms; 46% said they had sourced a wider variety of products; 42% said they had sourced more frequently; and 44% said the average value per order had increased.

Top three reasons to use online sourcing platforms
Ms Fan said that there are three top reasons for buyers to use online sourcing platforms, namely, to search for new suppliers and make enquiries (70%), to compare products and prices (66%), and to identify the latest product trends (57%). “In the wake of the pandemic, many industries are committed to organising virtual fairs to strengthen the connection between international buyers and suppliers. These events have been well received by the industry, with the survey showing that more than 85% of buyers surveyed had participated in virtual fairs in 2021.”

In addition, buyers rated the overall effectiveness of online sourcing through web platforms, websites, mobile apps and virtual meetings at an average of 7.4 out of 10, seeing them as fairly effective overall. When asked about the main pain points associated with using online sourcing platforms, 61% of respondents said it was the inability to examine products physically, while other major barriers were the risk of fraud (56%), insufficient product details and images (54%), unresponsive suppliers (49%) and uncertified products (49%).

Can virtual fairs supersede physical fairs?
Regarding future sourcing preferences, 63% of buyers responding in the survey said they would prefer to source via physical fairs while 59% of buyers would prefer hybrid fairs once travel restrictions are lifted. Among the buyers surveyed, those from Mainland China and ASEAN countries expressed most enthusiasm for hybrid fairs, followed by buyers from Europe, the United States and Australia.

Ms Fan pointed out that while international buyers have accepted virtual fairs out of necessity, and reduced travel costs and other expenses associated with attending physical fairs, the general consensus remains that virtual fairs will not supersede physical fairs. Physical and virtual fairs both have their own merits, and hybrid fairs that combine the two formats will continue to be another choice for international buyers.

The survey also showed that buyers who prefer hybrid fairs were more likely to register a higher average spend per order (in the range of US$50,000-$100,000+) compared with counterparts who prefer physical or virtual fairs. This suggests that hybrid fairs could be well positioned to facilitate more lucrative business opportunities.

Ms Fan added that the key digital features buyers would like to see at hybrid fairs include the ability to easily search and acquire exhibitor information, scheduling meetings with exhibitors before, during and after the physical tradeshow, and having access to useful communication tools such as instant messaging, file sharing and business card sharing. Other services such as seminar livestreaming and recordings, virtual meetings, and artificial intelligence-enabled exhibitor as well as product recommendations were also sought-after features of great benefit to buyers and exhibitors alike.

Main survey findings
– Buyers who used online sourcing platforms in the past 12 months
Yes 93%
No 7%

– Buyers who joined virtual fairs in the past 12 months
Yes 85.5%
No 14.5%

– Buyers’ sourcing preferences in post-COVID-19 era
Physical fairs 63%
Hybrid fairs 59%
Virtual fairs 37%
Online sourcing platforms 21%

– Change in sourcing behaviours due to COVID-19*
Variety of products sourced | Number of suppliers engaged | Sourcing frequency | Average value per order
Increased 46% | 43% | 42% | 44%
Remained unchanged 38% | 31% | 30% | 33%
Decreased 15% | 26% | 27% | 24%

– Top 3 reasons to use online sourcing platforms
Search for new suppliers and make enquiries 70%
Compare products and prices 66%
Identify the latest product trends 57%

– Pain points associated with using online sourcing platforms
Unable to examine the products physically 61%
Risk of fraud 56%
Insufficient product details and photos 54%
Unresponsive suppliers 49%
Uncertified products 49%

* Percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding.

References
– HKTDC Research website: http://research.hktdc.com/
– International Sourcing for 2022 and Beyond: Insights Into How Buyers and Suppliers Are Optimising Online Sourcing Moving Forward https://research.hktdc.com/en/article/MTAyMTMxMzA5MQ
– Photo download: https://bit.ly/3OfdBAZ

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 Communication and Public Affairs Department
Sunny Ng, Tel: +852 2584 4357, Email: sunny.sl.ng@hktdc.org

8,000 talents join FILMART Online and EntertainmentPulse

Online platforms accessible until mid-May

Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), FILMART Online and the first edition of EntertainmentPulse both received an enthusiastic response. The four-day virtual events brought together around 8,000 industry talents from 81 countries and regions. 749 exhibitors showcased over 2,400 new film and TV productions at the event, the majority being feature films, TV dramas and animations. FILMART Online also arranged business matchings for exhibitors and potential buyers, promoting trade and collaboration within the industry. FILMART Online saw a total of 27 online events staged, including 14 seminar sessions held at EntertainmentPulse.

FILMART Online and the first edition of EntertainmentPulse drew to a close on 17 March. The four-day dual events brought together around 8,000 industry talents from 81 countries and regions.
Gordon Lam (R) said the strengths of Hong Kong film continue to develop and he is sure that the old and new generations of filmmakers can come together and help to reinvigorate the local film industry.
Melody Hildebrandt, Chief Information Security Officer at FOX and President of Blockchain Creative Labs (R), shared her thoughts on non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

260+ mainland exhibitors featured
This year, FILMART Online welcomed exhibitors from more than 40 countries and regions, including Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Guangdong, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Shaanxi, Ningbo, Xiamen, Taiwan, the European Union, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, Thailand, the United States and more. More than 260 exhibitors were from Mainland China. The largest number of companies were from Beijing, Zhejiang and Guangdong. The Guangdong Pavilion was organised by the Film Administration of Guangdong Province and the Radio and Television Administration of Guangdong Province. Not only have they gathered 40 outstanding production companies from across the province to participate, they also promoted the advantages of Guangdong as a shooting location.

Gordon Lam says Hong Kong films are gaining advantages
Acting as a bridge connecting East and West, Hong Kong productions have shone internationally over the years, highlighting the uniqueness of the city’s own culture, content creation and distribution. In a session titled “Rediscovering the ‘Hong Kong Production”, Hong Kong actor and film producer Gordon Lam shared his views on the city’s film industry. “The strengths of Hong Kong film continue to develop with more diversified themes and new talents joining the industry, to meet the expectation of the increasingly demanding audience, I am confident that the old and new generations of filmmakers can come together to reinvigorate the local film industry.”

Mainland China productions reach global audience
The entertainment industry in Mainland China has seen robust growth in recent years. An abundance of quality films and TV dramas have been produced and distributed to international markets, winning over audiences with a diverse and sophisticated range of content. Karen Fu, CEO of Huace Group, unveiled the secrets behind the success of the mainland’s entertainment industry. “We are constantly on the lookout for new subjects. Themes based on the reality of daily life are very well-received in international markets,” she said.

BONA Film Group continues focus on realistic social subjects
In the seminar session titled “Experience and Innovation of the Chinese Film Industry”, the discussion focused on the development and breakthroughs of film production in Mainland China in recent years, as well as the reform of cinema operators and the application of new technologies. Yu Dong, founder, Chairman and CEO of BONA Film Group, said: “In recent years, BONA Film has continued to focus on realistic social themes, keenly capturing some of the scenes and characters that have deeply touched our country.”

NFTs boosts participation in digital asset market
Non-fungible token (NFT) marketplaces are bringing new digital experiences for creators and brands to interact with their communities through trading, unlocking and collecting memorabilia and exclusive content. Melody Hildebrandt, Chief Information Security Officer at FOX and President of Blockchain Creative Labs (BCL), explored how NFTs are becoming a new medium for content creators, intellectual property owners and advertising partners to monetise content, facilitate content distribution and create engaging fan experiences. “Collectibles are not the endgame for NFTs at all – this is just the beginning. We will see how people use this sense of digital ownership as a foundation to activate communities and gain a much more hands-on participation in the content they love,” Ms Hildebrandt said.

Online platforms accessible until 17 May
The online portals for FILMART Online and EntertainmentPulse will be open for access until 17 May. Users can revisit insightful content from EntertainmentPulse on demand at any time and utilise the business matching services offered through the FILMART Online platform.

FILMART Online and EntertainmentPulse
Date: 14 to 17 March 2022
Website:
– FILMART https://event.hktdc.com/fair/hkfilmart-en/
– EntertainmentPulse https://entertainmentpulse.hktdc.com/en
– EntertainmentPulse agenda https://entertainmentpulse.hktdc.com/en/programme/programme

Photo download: https://bit.ly/34Q1MPI

Media enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Clayton Lauw, Tel: +852 2584 4472, Email: clayton.y.lauw@hktdc.org

About HKTDC
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong’s trade. With 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via trade publications, research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Follow us on Twitter @hktdc and LinkedIn

HKTDC MarketingPulse and eTailingPulse draw more than 25,000 viewers

  • Top marketers help industry players keep tabs on global trends

MarketingPulse and eTailingPulse, Asia’s premier marketing and e-tailing events organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), concluded successfully yesterday. Held under the theme “Together, We Create”, the two-day virtual forum brought together more than 60 marketing executives, brand representatives, advertising elites and e-commerce experts from around the globe to share their success stories and insights. Thirty-two seminars and workshops were held during the event, attracting more than 25,000 viewers to tune in from 52 countries and regions.

The two-day MarketingPulse and eTailingPulse concluded successfully yesterday. The forum attracted more than 25,000 viewers from 52 countries and regions.

Ecommerce becoming more synchronised and digitised
With the pandemic reshaping the traditional marketing landscape, many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have turned to e-tailing to tap into new business opportunities. On the first day of the forum, Barry Thomas, former Head of Global Customer Marketing & Future of Commerce at The Coca-Cola Company, offered his perspective on the opportunities and trends that e-commerce presents. “The future of e-commerce will be operated on those more digitised, synchronised and unified data platforms. Macro marketplaces are being formed that brands and SMEs are eager to partner with. Companies have to think how the business will evolve in the next five to 10 years and invest in talents and capital for future development,” Mr Thomas said.

Younger generation’s preferences need to be understood
Mengfei Wang, Head of Commercial Marketing Department at social media and e-commerce platform Xiaohongshu, explored how social commerce can help brands connect with digitally savvy young consumers in Mainland China. “Young customers are looking to enhance their lifestyle and improve their well-being. By analysing search results and trends, we can get a better understanding of our customers and recommend products and services that meet their needs,” Ms Wang said.

Meanwhile, San Zang, Head of Marketing Planning Department, Marketing Center, at the integrated video sharing site BiliBili, gave her own insights into the next-generation youth market in the mainland, saying: “The younger generation is better educated, and they have different sets of values and preferences. They are also fond of good stories relating to brands and products and will participate in campaigns which they appreciate, being vocal about it and sharing their experiences.”

Metaverse opens up new world of opportunity
Justin W Hochberg, CEO and Co-founder, Virtual Brand Group, envisioned the game-changing retail experience that will be unlocked by the metaverse. “The metaverse will be a new platform for companies to explore new opportunities, attract new customers globally and to build long-term relationships with them. Brands and businesses have to be willing to be innovative, make good use of data and act fast,” Mr Hochberg said.

Brand purpose strategies drive sustainability push
Jeff Chen, Co-founder of SLOWOOD Ltd, shared his success stories in applying brand purpose strategies to drive sustainable enterprise development. “By promoting behavioural change to consumers, raising their awareness of sustainability issues and encouraging them through a sense of accomplishment, we believe everyone in the community can finally achieve sustainable living by taking ‘tiny steps forward’,” Mr Chen said.

The MarketingPulse and eTailingPulse online platforms will remain open until 30 April. During this period, industry participants can continue to make use of the platforms’ various features and review the content of this year’s seminars and previous events.

Websites:
– MarketingPulse: https://marketingpulse.hktdc.com/en/
– eTailingPulse: https://etailingpulse.hktdc.com/en/
– Photo download: https://bit.ly/3wiZaFl

Media enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Janet Chan, Tel: +852 2584 4369, Email: janet.ch.chan@hktdc.org

About HKTDC
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong’s trade. With 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via trade publications, research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Follow us on Twitter @hktdc and LinkedIn

HKTDC Export Index 1Q22: Export confidence continues to shrink

Exporters more cautious in erratic market environment

The HKTDC Export Index fell by 12.5 points to 24.7 in the first quarter of this year, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) announced today. “The index shrinking for the third consecutive quarter can be taken as a clear indication that the prospects for short-term export growth are expected to weaken further,” said HKTDC Director of Research Irina Fan.

Hong Kong Trade Development Council Director of Research Irina Fan (L) and Economist Samantha Yim announced the HKTDC Export Index for the first quarter of 2022 at a press conference today (17 March)

However, the Trade Value Index painted a more optimistic picture, as it remained in expansionary territory at 52.8, despite its reading having dropped from 57.0 in the previous quarter. “This robust outcome indicates that unit prices in most sectors will continue to rise in the near term, with the toy and electronics sectors leading the way at 56.7 and 53.5 respectively,” said Ms Fan.

The survey found that, unsurprisingly, a majority (93.1%) of respondents indicated that their businesses had been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic over the past three months, a rise of 6.1 percentage points on the previous quarter. Among the key negative impacts cited were rising transportation costs (75.7%), ongoing disruptions to logistics and distribution arrangements (64.5%) and shortages in raw materials, parts and components (46.5%).

“In light of rising costs, the pricing response from companies has been notably mixed. While 46.8% of respondents indicated they had been able to pass on at least some of their increased costs to buyers, 48.1% maintained this had not been an option. In addition, about one third (34.2%) of respondents expected their profit margins to rise or stay at the same level, while 65.8% predicted their profits margins would fall year-on-year over the course of the next 12 months,” she added.

Exporters across sectors remain cautious
The HKTDC conducts the Export Index survey every quarter, interviewing 500 local exporters from six major industries including machinery, electronics, jewellery, watches and clocks, toys and clothing, to gauge business confidence in near-term export prospects. The Index indicates an optimistic or pessimistic outlook, with 50 as the dividing line.

The Export Index dropped by 12.5 points to 24.7 for the third consecutive quarter. HKTDC Economist Samantha Yim said: “In line with this, exporter confidence continues to plunge across almost all industry sectors and major markets. Across many of the major sectors, exporters remained notably cautious. This saw timepieces emerge as the least positive sector at 19.7, while machinery recorded the largest drop, falling 19.1 points to 25.0. By contrast, the toy sector was the only one to merit an increased read, up 8.5 points to 33.5.”

Exporters were similarly pessimistic when it came to the near-term prospect of Hong Kong’s major markets, with all the associated sub-indexes declining. Overall, Asia continued to be seen as likely to be the best performer over the coming months, with the best performer being Japan at 45.6, followed by Mainland China (42.1). On the other hand, the US dropped 3.8 points to 39.1, an outcome seen as less than promising.

Challenges and strategies in 2022
Looking ahead, an increased number of respondents were concerned about the impact of COVID-19 (53.5%) – a significant climb from the 32.5% of respondents reporting the same sentiment in the previous quarter. A further 11.4% indicated that prospects of a stuttering economic recovery remained among their key challenges, while 9.3% worried about the continued closure of borders.

In terms of business strategies for the year, 38.5% of respondents favoured developing other product lines, followed by diversifying into new overseas markets (29.9%) and developing online sales or sourcing channels (29.4%).

In December 2021, the HKTDC forecasted that Hong Kong exports will grow by 8% in value in 2022.

References
– HKTDC Research website: http://research.hktdc.com/
– HKTDC Export Index 1Q22: Erratic Market Environment Dampening Exporter Confidence Further: https://research.hktdc.com/en/article/MTAwNjA1OTIxNg
– Photo download: https://bit.ly/3tXw4Zq

Media enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC’s Communication and Public Affairs Department:
Sam Ho, Tel: +852 2584 4569, Email: sam.sy.ho@hktdc.org
Media Room: http://mediaroom.hktdc.com

About HKTDC
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong’s trade. With 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Follow us on Twitter @hktdc and LinkedIn

HKTDC MarketingPulse and eTailingPulse open today

60+ global experts examine future of marketing and e-commerce

Asia’s premier marketing and e-tailing events, MarketingPulse and eTailingPulse, kicked off their two-day run today. Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the two-in-one virtual forum has brought together more than 60 marketing executives, brand representatives, advertising elites and e-commerce experts from around the world to examine the latest global trends in marketing and e-commerce and share their success stories.

In her welcome remarks at MarketingPulse, Margaret Fong, Executive Director of the HKTDC, said the forum will demonstrate how brands can create value for customers, consumers, societies and the world and engender new marketing and e-tailing experiences.
More than 60 marketing chiefs, advertising elites and e-commerce experts have gathered at the forum to examine brand promotion and creative strategies and share practical marketing tactics.
Legendary marketer Keith Weed, former Global Chief Marketing & Communications Officer at Unilever, spoke at today’s forum.

The theme for this year’s conference is “Together, We Create”. In her welcome remarks this morning, Margaret Fong, Executive Director of the HKTDC, said: “The forum will demonstrate how to create value for customers, consumers, societies and the world and engender new marketing and e-tailing experiences. We have invited industry experts from across the world to lead discussions on new trends and growth opportunities and help industry players learn about harnessing virtual worlds to drive business in the real world. In addition, the forum will examine the latest market trends and e-tailing opportunities in Mainland China and explore the rejuvenation and sustainable development of brands.”

Sustainability and digital innovation under the spotlight
This morning, legendary marketer Keith Weed, former Global Chief Marketing & Communications Officer at Unilever, hosted a session to envision the future of the marketing industry. He advised participants to prepare for a rapidly changing world by embracing tech, data, content and sustainability. “Businesses need to spend a lot more time to think about where the world is going, how can we get to the future first, and what we can do to react in an agile way. In these challenging times we have to find out what extra we can do and bring to consumers through our brands to help us navigate our way,” Mr Weed said. John Schoolcraft, Chief Creative Officer of Swedish drinks manufacturer Oatly, shared his experience in transforming oat drinks into a sustainable lifestyle icon and driving growth at the same time through brand purpose strategies.

Also joining the forum was Tina Chao, Chief Marketing and Digital Customer Experience Officer of McDonald’s Hong Kong. She shared tips on creating online-to-offline customer experiences through innovative promotional campaigns. “An ideal consumer experience is truly personalised and attuned to customers’ needs. Every element of a customer journey has to be designed in a way that each customer can participate in, make their own message and pass it on to share their brand love,” Ms Chao said.

Riding the metaverse and NFT wave
Eminent speakers were also invited to shed light on how brands can ride on the metaverse wave and examine developments such as virtual humans and new entertainment, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), NFT products and marketplaces, and virtual retail using gamified experiences. Among those sharing their insights were Sebastien Borget, Co-founder and COO of The Sandbox; Asher Rapkin, Director (Global Business Marketing, Facebook App and Emerging Platforms) at Meta; Melody Hildebrandt, Chief Information Security Officer of FOX and President of its subsidiary, Blockchain Creative Labs (BCL); Justin Hochberg, Co-founder and CEO of Virtual Brand Group; Wesley Ng, CEO and Co-Founder of CASETiFY; and Gary Liu, CEO of the South China Morning Post.

Exploring omnichannel retail and e-commerce trends
The second day of the forum will focus on omnichannel commerce and the latest developments in Asian e-tailing, including direct-to-customer (D2C), social commerce, video and livestreaming commerce, entertainment marketing and more. Marketing and e-commerce experts, including Takumi Kato, CEO at Shanghai Ezaki Glico Foods Co Ltd, Yajuan Wong, Chief Marketing Officer at Xiaohongshu, and San Zang, Head of Marketing Planning Department, Marketing Center of BiliBili, will reveal how brands and marketers can leverage innovative marketing strategies to engage young consumers in Mainland China markets.

Practical workshops and business-matching facilitate digital transformation
Tomorrow will also see a series of digital marketing and e-tailing workshops offering a wealth of practical marketing knowledge and advice for participants. Representatives from companies such as EventX, iClick, Hivestack, Meltwater, Google and Meta will share strategies for social commerce, video and influencer marketing, virtual events and programmatic digital out-of-home advertising for brand promotion. Alongside the illuminating discussions, a one-on-one online business matching service is provided through the conference’s online platform, where local marketing and e-tailing experts will offer professional advice while showcasing their solutions.

Find the latest programme and speaker list at https://marketingpulse.hktdc.com/en/. Media representatives wishing to join MarketingPulse and eTailingPulse online, can email their requests to janet.ch.chan@hktdc.org.

Photo download: https://bit.ly/34O9ie2

Websites:
– MarketingPulse: https://marketingpulse.hktdc.com/en/
– eTailingPulse: https://etailingpulse.hktdc.com/en/
– Conference programme: https://marketingpulse.hktdc.com/en/programme/Conference
– Speaker list: https://marketingpulse.hktdc.com/en/speaker/Speakers

Media enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Janet Chan, Tel: +852 2584 4369, Email: janet.ch.chan@hktdc.org

About HKTDC
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong’s trade. With 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via trade publications, research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Follow us on Twitter @hktdc and LinkedIn

FILMART Online and new EntertainmentPulse open today

Leading film and TV talents chart way forward for industry

Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), FILMART Online opens today along with the first edition of EntertainmentPulse. The four-day virtual events bring together more than 740 exhibitors and some 8,000 industry talents, who are releasing and promoting more than 2,300 of their latest film and TV productions.

FILMART Online and the first edition of EntertainmentPulse opened today. The four-day virtual events have brought together more than 740 exhibitors and some 8,000 industry talents, who are releasing and promoting 2,300 of their latest film and TV productions.
Jessica Kam-Engle, Head of Content & Development at the Walt Disney Company in Asia-Pacific, shared how Disney+ collaborates with content creators to bring Asia-Pacific productions to global audiences.

Global production talents light up FILMART Online
The 2022 edition of FILMART Online has once again received enthusiastic support from production companies both local and international. Exhibitors from Hong Kong include Edko Films, Emperor Motion Pictures, Entertaining Power, Golden Network, Golden Scene, Golden Sun Films Distribution, Mandarin Motion Pictures, Media Asia Distribution, Mega-Vision Project Workshop, Mei Ah Entertainment Group, One Cool Film Production, Sil-Metropole Organisation, Universe Films Distribution, TVBI and PCCW.

More than 240 production companies from Mainland China are included in the stellar line-up of exhibitors, including China International TV Corporation (CITVC), iQIYI, Youku, Bilibili, Tencent, China Huace Film & TV, Daylight Entertainment, Artop International, Shanghai Youhug Media, Fantawild Animation, Midnight Blur Films, Hangzhou Ix Media, Perfect World Pictures and Hengdian Entertainment. The entertainment fair also features pavilions from Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Guangdong, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Shaanxi, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Changsha, Xiamen, Taiwan, the European Union, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, Thailand, the United States and many more.

One-stop platform for business searching and matchmaking
Exhibitors can showcase their productions and company information on their own dedicated pages on the FILMART Online platform. Supported by big data and artificial intelligence, the one-stop sourcing platform allows buyers to search efficiently for productions in their field of interest. The organiser will also arrange online business matching for buyers and provide a list of recommended exhibitors tailored to their needs, with the aim of promoting trade and collaboration within the industry. Using the platform’s built-in video conferencing and messaging functions, buyers are able to establish connections with potential partners from across the globe.

Debut EntertainmentPulse covers diverse topics
Running in tandem with FILMART Online, the debut EntertainmentPulse presents a series of seminars that will showcase the latest developments in the Hong Kong film and TV industry under the new normal, benefitting industry practitioners from home and abroad. On the first day of the fair, representatives from the Walt Disney Company, Huace Group and NHK Enterprise, Inc, along with Hong Kong actor and film producer Gordon Lam, will address a range of issues, including content creation, documentaries and Hong Kong productions.

In this morning’s “Opening New Doors for APAC Storytellers” session, Jessica Kam-Engle, Head of Content & Development for the Walt Disney Company in Asia-Pacific, shared how Disney+ collaborates with content creators to bring Asia-Pacific productions to audiences worldwide. “With almost a hundred years of storytelling experience, Disney will continue to be long-term creative partners to the best and the next generation of content creators in Asia-Pacific,” she said.

Upcoming discussions at the forum will include Takonkiet Viravan, Group CEO of The One Enterprise, dissecting the rise of Thai TV dramas and the creative processes involved; CEO of Digital Domain Daniel Seah guiding participants through recent developments and applications in the field of “virtual humans”; Sebastien Borget, Co-founder and COO of The Sandbox, analysing emerging trends in the metaverse; and Leo Matchett, CEO and Co-Founder of Decentralized Pictures, providing insights into how blockchain is transforming the industry landscape from the perspectives of investment, production, film criticism and more.

In a session titled “Blending in with Audience: Localisation of Scripted TV Formats”, Tommy Lo, Executive Producer and Script Supervisor of TV series Ossan’s Love (Hong Kong version); Yuki Akehi, Director of International Business Development at Nippon TV; and Mother Production Producer Harold Valentin, who participated in the production of popular French comedy Call My Agent, will discuss features and trends in adapted TV series. Meanwhile, in “Digitalising Entertainment Experience with NFTs”, Melody Hildebrandt, Chief Information Security Officer of FOX and President of Blockchain Creative Labs (BCL), will introduce digitised entertainment experiences in the world of non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

The Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) is another highlight event of the fair, running from today until 16 March. As the leading financing platform for film production in Asia, HAF strives to create opportunities for business exchanges for industry professionals. The forum will present shortlisted movie projects, with 28 in-development projects (IDP) and 15 work-in-progress projects (WIP). Among the shortlisted projects, 11 of them are based in Hong Kong while 21 up-and-coming directors make their first attempt at directing a feature film. New works by veteran professionals such as Fruit Chan, Stanley Kwan, Tetsuya Mariko, Nonzee Nimibutr, Yang Chao and Yang Heng are also on the list.

FILMART Online and EntertainmentPulse
Date: 14 to 17 March 2022
Websites:
– FILMART Online: https://event.hktdc.com/fair/hkfilmart-en/
– EntertainmentPulse: https://entertainmentpulse.hktdc.com/en
– EntertainmentPulse agenda: https://entertainmentpulse.hktdc.com/en/programme/programme

Photo download: https://bit.ly/3I8B5n3

Media enquiries:
Please contact the HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department
Clayton Lauw, Tel: +852 2584 4472, Email: clayton.y.lauw@hktdc.org

About HKTDC
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong’s trade. With 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Follow us on Twitter @hktdc and LinkedIn