Tag: hktdc

Corporate leaders share views on IP and innovation

The 10th Business of IP Asia Forum (BIP Asia Forum), jointly organised by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and the Hong Kong Design Centre, was successfully held online on 3 and 4 December. More than 60 international intellectual property (IP) experts and business leaders shared their insights on the latest industry trends and developments with more than 10,000 viewers from over 40 countries and regions joining the global live streaming.

BIP Asia Forum Online provided various interactive channels to connect speakers, panellists and audiences from different industries. Business leaders and IP experts gave valuable advice on expanding business networks, building opportunities and the significance of IP in the post-COVID-19 era. The forum offered an ideal platform for exchange of ideas and information, connecting entrepreneurs and adding value to their businesses during this challenging time.

‘Dream of the Internet’ helps entrepreneurs and start-ups share ideas
The keynote session at the online forum saw Yancy Strickler, Co-founder and former CEO of Kickstarter, sharing his experience of creating Kickstarter, the famous global crowdfunding platform, and his subsequent journey. The first successfully funded project on the platform was “drawing for dollars”, with other projects including Peloton, Cards against Humanity, Oculus Rift, Allbirds and more, many of which have become well-known brands.

Mr Strickler believes Kickstarter is a platform where entrepreneurs and start-ups can share ideas they are passionate about, and where creative projects can be opened up to the public. He called Kickstarter “a funnel for ideas” and said it was important to build trust between creators and the audience using the platform. Today, Kickstarter has become a facilitator in creating billions of dollars of profits and hundreds of thousands of jobs, opening a door to the public and the things they care about. He concluded that Kickstarter is the “dream of the Internet” as it fulfils the idea of what the World Wide Web aims to be.

Mr Stickler also shared his “bento” theory with the audience, explaining that he makes a bento plan every Sunday. It acts as a weekly plan that reminds him of his goals and identifies what is important. There are four spaces in the bento: now me, future me, now us, future us. He said the bento plan can help us to be actively aware of what are we going to do and what issues we need to prioritise in life. He said we should make decisions that can fulfil all the spaces in the bento – a way of planning that can help people to achieve their goals and understand the real values in life.

Also sharing during this session was Arata Oono, founder of Borderless, who is working on products related to motorcycles such as the development of a smart helmet. He explained that he ran a campaign on Kickstarter and was able to reach his goal within one day. He said that the pre-campaign is as important as the real campaign because it can build awareness and develop a community around the products. Mr Oono said crowdfunding is not about fundraising but more about developing a marketing platform that can help companies to grow.

Emile Chen, CMO & Co-founder, Origami Group, said Kickstarter is a platform that can help to generate awareness, find people with the same values and elicit valuable feedback. He had worries about people copying Origami’s idea but said there will always be risks involved with getting to market. He pointed out that if someone else is trying to do what you are doing, it proves you are working on something worthwhile. Mr Chen also mentioned that the protection of IPs should be approached like good hygiene – it is something that has to be done, and the best protection is always to act fast and think about what you need to do next. He suggested that new start-ups should plan for a longer campaign period on the crowdfunding platform as it takes time for people to digest ideas and build trust with the company.

Experts and winners share on merits of IPHatch Hong Kong
A number of renowned and highly experienced entrepreneurs shared their ideas regarding IP in this rapidly changing new era. Jari Vaario, Head of Asia Patent Transactions & External Alliances, Nokia, said the company is finding unique new possibilities and innovations. He believed that the open-innovation competition IPHatch, details of which were announced during the forum, could provide unique innovation opportunities for start-ups. Mr Vaario said that IP matters are becoming more important in the new era as having an IP can be a way for start-ups to win against their competitors. Mr Vaario suggested start-ups should look into IP carefully as it takes time and money to secure a patent.

Yoshinori Nakagawa, Chief Intellectual Property Specialist, Panasonic Corporation, said that since the 2000s, Panasonic has shifted its focus to creating technology that can contribute to its future business. He said he was hoping to find good partners to tackle problems together through IPHatch. He mentioned two important roles of IP. First, it allows technologies to be organised in the patent portfolio, which helps maintain and update the newest technology and allow companies to understand their value through IP. Second, it protects the business and its technology assets as the patent gives exclusive rights to use that particular technology. That’s why it is important for start-ups to get an initial patent.

Tony Chen, Business Development Director, Hong Kong X-Tech Startup Platform, talked about the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s policy and support schemes in relation to IP. He pointed out that IP and technologies are important for start-ups and that investors would look to back companies that had certain IP protections in place. He said that patents are important for start-ups in terms of attracting big customers and generating a good profit. He hopes that IP can become more accessible in the future, especially for start-ups.

Previous winners of IPHatch were on hand to share their insights. Aldous Ng, Co-founder and CEO, CU Coding Limited, said the company is working on network coding for the application of 5G technology in Hong Kong. He said that IPHatch is a good platform for start-ups to present their ideas and connect with more experienced partners, adding that persistence is important because innovation can be a lengthy process. Junho Cho, Chief Technology Officer, EC Bento Hong Kong Limited, developed intelligent vending machines with an aim to revolutionise the way hot food is delivered. He said that IP is important to his business as it helps to protect his innovations, while IPHatch allowed him to develop his networks. Charles Lo, Founder & Director, MAE Limited, developed an emotion tracking system that aims to improve customer service. He said there are two benefits of joining IPHatch, namely mentorship and media exposure. He explained that IP is a way for start-ups to gain creditability and make their company more attractive to investors.

Open innovation – creating new pathways for value creation
In the forum’s plenary session, John Mulgrew, VP, Deputy General Counsel & Chief Intellectual Property Officer, Lenovo, talked about the “open innovation models’ diagram”, explaining that start-ups and other companies should absorb technology from the outside, listen to customer feedback and communicate more with suppliers. These interactions with external parties help to make better products and more effective marketing services. Mr Mulgrew introduced the concept of “inside-out innovation”, which refers to creating something for a specific purpose, but which turns out to have broader application. He pointed out that there are various legal issues involved in collaborations such as access to IP, preserving differentiation and ownership. There are different kinds of collaboration too, including joint inventorship and overlapping development, while companies need to give serious consideration to the legal aspects.

Christina Petersson, Chief Intellectual Property Officer, Ericsson, said collaborations are helping to improve global standards, giving the example of Ericsson’s collaboration with Chinese smart device manufacturer OPPO on 5G technologies. She said that innovative technology exchanges allow more parties to participate, while a licence helps to ensure there is no overlapping. She also shared on the interface between IP and competition law, explaining that more countries and regions now have competition laws in place, which helps to resolve arguments over competition and protect innovations and the creative industry. She said competition laws also encourage the smoother functioning of industry.

Beat Weibel, Chief IP Counsel and Group Senior Vice President, Siemens AG, said that as the world becomes more digital and interconnected, no company is in position to master all the technologies alone, and that success is all about collaboration and differentiation. He gave the example of Siemens’ electronic motors, where all elements in the motors can communicate and interconnect. Mr Weinel said IP is essential, otherwise companies will lose their advantages and rights. IP rights define both the ownership and scope of intellectual achievement, and Mr Weibel said such rights are the only bridge to turn inventions into innovations. He concluded that there can be no success without collaboration.

Global Tech Summit – turning crisis into opportunity
Co-organised with Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, the Global Tech Summit brought together technology leaders, scientists and researchers, including Professor Li Zexiang, Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). Prof Li, who is conducting research into robotics and automation, shared that building a company is very different from research because it also requires looking at customers’ needs and doing marketing. He said that transferring good technology into products can take a long time – and it also requires time to educate customers.

Prof Li said there are many opportunities for innovation and technology under the pandemic due to changes in the way people live and work. New needs, problems and demands arise, creating opportunities for innovative services and products. He said the pandemic offers an important lesson – that the future will be uncertain and full of challenges. He observed that start-ups which survive the pandemic are usually calm, analysing the supply chain then forming a crisis plan. He advised incubators, accelerators and universities to hold more technology-related education and training programmes for new businesses, connecting them with the supply chain and preventing them from falling into business traps.

Prof Li said he is excited about the future prospects of technology because of rising demand in the consumer market. He suggested start-ups begin by looking into the needs of industry and customers and then work backwards. The key to success, he said, is to have a big idea and then balance the technology with design. He believes that technology companies are going to change our mode of living.

Exploring technological disruptions in healthcare amid the pandemic
The third and final session of the Global Tech Summit focused on recent technological developments in the healthcare industry. Alexander Ng, Vice President, Tencent Healthcare, talked about how Tencent is supporting the fight against COVID-19, explaining that the healthcare industry is very complicated as it involves many factors such as the needs of users, accurate information and trends in the pandemic. Tencent has put more resources into online consultations and online-to-offline connectivity through Weixin (WeChat). Online tools such as COVID-19 situation maps, trend analyses and a fever chatbot have also been developed, while existing tools were swiftly modified. Electronic health cards connect to COVID-19-related data to enable people to resume their daily activities, while electronic health insurance cards enable online healthcare transactions.

Other developments at Tencent include artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for physicians that can locate infected areas in the lungs through deep learning and also support the early triage of critically ill COVID-19 patients. The company now supports nearly 1.2 billion users and the company’s COVID-19 update models have been used more than 12 billion times. Mr Ng said that Tencent aims to connect consumers to healthcare services in the future and is also developing a one-stop-shop health tool kit for Weixin users.

The forum is now available for viewing through video-on-demand on the BIP Asia Forum Online website.

Website
– Business of IP Asia Forum: http://bipasiaforum.com/
– Photo download: https://bit.ly/37H7ktj

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.

Contact:
Clayton Lauw, Tel: +852 2584 4472, Email: clayton.y.lauw@hktdc.org
Christine Kam, Tel: +852 2584 4514, Email: christine.kam@hktdc.org
Cathy Lee, Tel: +852 2584 4393, Email: cathy.wk.lee@hktdc.org

Industry elites examine opportunities amid volatility at virtual event

The 10th Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation Conference (ALMAC), an annual signature event for the industries jointly organised by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), opened today, running online for the first time in light of the pandemic. More than 60 experts and leaders from the logistics, maritime and aviation industries will share their insights at the two-day programme.

Today’s opening session was officiated by Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of the HKSAR. Margaret Fong, Executive Director of the HKTDC, welcomed international delegates to the conference, saying: “While the global pandemic has necessitated the conference to be held online, it will not impede our ability to provide a platform for learning, sharing and networking. In fact, the online format allows the conference to move beyond the limits of a physical location to connect global participants to a world of industry insights and expertise.” Also new this year, “Aviation” has been added to the conference name to highlight the industry’s importance.

Given the current challenges faced by the logistics, maritime and aviation industries, ALMAC Online is running under the theme “Capturing Opportunities Amidst Volatility”. The conference features more than 60 industry elite speakers who exchange their experiences in coping with the impact of the pandemic and, more importantly, share their forward-looking insights for future business development. With Asia playing a key role in global supply chain transformation under the new normal, ALMAC Online puts a sharp focus on examining Asia’s future role and cooperation within the region.

International participation from online to offline
This year, more than 3000 industry elites from over 60 countries and regions have registered for the annual logistics event. Numerous virtual business-matching sessions and roundtables have been organised to connect participants from around the world — including countries such as France, Germany and Italy as well as various Asian countries and regions — with industry players and chambers from Hong Kong and Mainland China, helping them expand business connections and explore partnership opportunities. At the same time, participants from different parts of the world are joining ALMAC Online from nine satellite venues, where sessions are held and live-streamed.

AI-driven business matching creates more connections
The ALMAC Online platform also provides several interactive functions that serve to connect different industry players around the world. Click-to-connect enables audience to identify potential partners with ease, perform one-on-one video conferencing, and exchange business cards. Online networking and artificial intelligence-(AI) driven business-matching services are also provided, creating easy connections between potential business partners. The Consultancy and Services Lounge also connects participants with some leading logistics technology and solutions providers. A total of 150-200 business matching meetings are expected to be held during the conference. Leading professionals and associations provide complimentary advisory services at the Meet the Experts and Meet the Shippers sessions, covering areas such as supply chain management and changing trade flows.

Air Freight Forum examines air cargo demand and industry collaboration
While the pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges to the air cargo industry, soaring demand for COVID-19 vaccines and e-commerce deliveries requires companies to maintain operational resilience and service excellence. This and other topical issues were discussed as ALMAC Online kicked off this morning with the Air Freight Forum, co-organised with Airport Authority Hong Kong under the theme “Overcoming Challenges to Prevail under the Pandemic”. Several salient topics were explored, including global air cargo demand, operational agility, COVID-19 vaccine air logistics, cross-border e-commerce and industry collaboration. Chaired by Yvonne Ho, General Manager, Hong Kong and Macau, International Air Transport Association, the speakers included Marco Bloemen, Managing Director, Seabury Consulting; Frosti Lau, Chairman, HKIA Air Cargo Carrier Liaison Group; Tony Khan, President and Representative Director, DHL Express Japan; Frederic Leger, Director APCS Products, International Air Transport Association; William Xiong, Chief Strategist and General Manager for Export & Global Logistics, Cainiao Network; and Alaina Shum, General Manager, Aviation Logistics, Airport Authority Hong Kong.

Maritime Forum focuses on Hong Kong’s role
The pandemic has disrupted the operation of the maritime industry but it has also inspired innovation and digitalisation that mitigate the impact. The outlook for the sector was in focus as the keynote address at this afternoon’s Maritime Forum was delivered by Kitack Lim, Secretary-General, International Maritime Organization, who shared his thoughts on future business perspectives in the industry. This was followed by a session titled “The Way Forward for Hong Kong as an International Maritime Centre and its Role in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area”, with speakers including Benjamin Wong, Head of Maritime Cluster, InvestHK; Captain Bjorn Hojgaard, Chairman, Hong Kong Shipowners Association; Hing Chao, Executive Chairman, Wah Kwong Maritime Transport Holdings; Kenneth Lam, Chairman & CEO, Credit Agricole Asia Shipfinance Limited; and Rosita Lau, Partner, Hong Kong, Ince & Co. Discussions focused on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, how the industry should adapt to the new normal in the post-pandemic world, and sustaining Hong Kong’s position as an international maritime centre in the midst of uncertainties in trade and related regulations. The session also explored how Hong Kong can leverage its strengths in ship management, ship financing and maritime legal services for maintaining a key strategic role in the Greater Bay Area.

The Maritime Forum also featured sessions titled “A Catalyst for Change”, with speakers including Jeremy Nixon, CEO, Ocean Network Express; Huang Xiaowen, Executive Vice President, China COSCO Shipping Corporation Limited; Esben Poulsson, Chairman, International Chamber of Shipping; and Vincent Clerc, CEO of Ocean and Logistics, A.P.Moller-Maersk. Panel members shared on the latest developments in the shipping industry, operational challenges brought about by COVID-19, the roadmap for recovery, and digital transformation trends in the face of an uncertain future.

Power Dialogue sessions at the forum featured Kelvin Leung, CEO, Asia Pacific, DHL Global Forwarding, Grom Alexey Nikolaevich, CEO, Chairman of the Board, United Transport and Logistics Company – Eurasian Rail Alliance (UTLC ERA) and Zheng Shuangli, Director of Operations, Chengdu International Railway Port Investment & Development (Group) Co., Ltd. They examined Asian connectivity under the new normal and how the logistics industry can design smarter, stronger, better connected and more diverse supply chains to rebuild resilience and better manage future risk.

Supply Chain Management Forums cover logistics automation and social commerce
As logistics and supply chains become increasingly AI-driven, the second day of the conference will feature two Supply Chain Management Forums examining the role of transformational automation and the new trend of social commerce. Speakers at the first forum, co-organised with the Hong Kong Shippers’ Council, will include Sunny Ho, Executive Director, Hong Kong Shippers’ Council; Wu Ying Ying, Solution Head, Hangzhou Hikvision Robotics Technology; Michael Xie, Head, DHL Consulting China; and Lyan Law, Senior Consultant, Industry 4.0 and Smart Manufacturing, Hong Kong Productivity Council. They will examine automation, robotics and the deployment of AI in logistics and supply chains.

The second session, co-organised with GS1 Hong Kong, will be chaired by Heidi Ho, Principal Consultant, GS1 Hong Kong, with a panel featuring James Li, Head of Operations, Shopee Cross-Border; Tom Lin, Hong Kong/Taiwan Supply Chain Director, Procter & Gamble; and Ben Au, General Manager, Empower SCM Ltd. Under the theme “Shaking up Supply Chain Management from E-commerce to Social Commerce”, this session will look into the relationship between social commerce and supply chains/logistics; how the supply chain and logistics sector is responding to changing trends; and how industry players can grasp the opportunities arising from social commerce.

ALMAC finale: WTO addresses outlook for industry recovery
The Closing Plenary session and respective keynote address, co-organised with The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, will feature Yonov Frederick Agah, Deputy Director-General, World Trade Organization (WTO), sharing his views on the theme “World Trade Organisation Outlook for Charting Recovery”. According to the latest World Trade Report from the WTO, trade costs brought about by COVID-19 are closely related to trade policy uncertainty and restrictions on travel and transportation. The impact of the pandemic on the logistics industry has been widespread, with global air freight and ocean freight volumes shrinking substantially amid land border closures, along with a halt to business travel that is crucial for connecting trade and managing global value chains. With a potential trade rebound being hindered by increasing trade policy barriers and regulatory differences as well as cyber disruptions, this session will examine the outlook for world trade and how the industry and governments can help mitigate disruption.

World-renowned speakers on global logistics risks
The logistics, maritime and aviation industries face continued risks from escalating trade disputes, the pandemic and cyber disruptions, while the process of globalisation is challenged by geopolitical tensions and trade protectionism. Under these circumstances, global traders need to be more flexible in sourcing and production operations. Addressing these issues, ALMAC’s Closing Plenary will see leaders from different spheres share strategies for minimising the global logistics risks that lie ahead and assess the outlook for the industry under more volatile trade and business environments. Dr Agah will also speak at the Closing Plenary, titled “Leading through the New Paradigm of Global Logistics Risks under an Uncertain Trading Environment and Cyber Disruptions”, with other heavyweight speakers including Fox Chu, Partner, McKinsey; Jan Hoffmann, Chief, Trade Logistics Branch, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development; Kenny Ye, Chief Operation Officer, Orient Overseas Container; Christopher Chan, Partner and Hong Kong Head of Shipping, Offshore and Logistics, Holman Fenwick Willan; Mathieu Renard Biron, Managing Director, Global Freight Forwarding, Kerry Logistics; and Stone Ho, Group Vice President, Apex Logistics International.

MarketTalks return to explore logistics opportunities
Launched last year, InnoTalks and MarketTalks both return in 2020. The InnoTalks sessions feature innovative solutions to help conference participants keep abreast of the technological developments in the logistics industry and generate new impetus in their business. MarketTalks sessions, meanwhile, feature key industry players from Mainland China, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), India, Malaysia and Thailand leading attendees in exploring new business opportunities among logistics ecosystems. Today, Liu Libing, Director of Marketing, New Land-Sea Corridor Operation Co, Ltd, shared on the current situation regarding the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor after nearly five years of development and explained how corporations can grasp opportunities arising from the corridor. Dato’ Hasan Azhari HJ. Idris, CEO, Invest Selangor, explored opportunities for halal logistics in Selangor. Ghanyapad Tantipipatpong, Chairwoman, Thai National Shippers’ Council, shared on the shift in supply chain strategies from globalisation to regionalisation. In other sessions, Xerrxes Master, Vice President, Association of Multimodal Transport Operators of India, provided updates on India’s logistics industry and discussed the path to excellence. Tomorrow, Mohsen Ahmad, CEO – Logistics District, Dubai South, will focus on how the EZDubai development is positioning Dubai as a key hub for e-commerce.

Websites
ALMAC Online: https://www.almac.hk/main/en
ALMAC Online Speaker List: https://www.almac.hk/main/en/speaker/2020speaker
ALMAC Online Programme: https://www.almac.hk/main/en/s/info-programme
Photo download: https://bit.ly/2UvLrah

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

Contact:
Christine Kam, Tel: +852 2584 4514, Email: christine.kam@hktdc.org Clayton Lauw, Tel: +852 2584 4472, Email: clayton.y.lauw@hktdc.org

Upgraded sourcing platform and virtual fair boost business connections

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) has upgraded its hktdc.com Sourcing platform in the run-up to the HKTDC Autumn Sourcing Week | ONLINE virtual exhibition, helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) capture global business opportunities and adapt to digital sourcing models in the post-pandemic new normal.

Benjamin Chau, HKTDC Deputy Executive Director, said: “The pandemic has changed the sourcing pattern of many companies and accelerated the transformation of the global supply chain. The latest HKTDC survey shows that Hong Kong companies are adjusting their business strategies to cope with the new normal. Companies are increasingly ‘going digital’ to expand their online distribution channels (69%), conducting online marketing (56%) to develop new business markets (57%) and accelerating the application of technology in their business (47%).”

Mr Chau observed that trade activities were on the rise in the third quarter of 2020, with a rebound in Hong Kong’s total exports. While physical trade fairs cannot be held at present, he called on local businesses to leverage the HKTDC’s digital platforms and services to tap into various markets, especially economies that have signed free trade agreements with the city such as Mainland China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). “Mainland China is probably the only economy in the world that will see positive GDP (gross domestic product) growth in 2020, and its ‘dual circulation’ model of development with an emphasis on the domestic economy will stimulate consumption growth. As a major trade fair hub in Asia, Hong Kong can play a pivotal role in attracting more local and international brands and products to the mainland market,” he added.

Omni-channel platform to create business opportunities
In response to these new developments, Mr Chau said the HKTDC will stage Autumn Sourcing Week | ONLINE from 16 to 27 November following the completion of a significant upgrade to its hktdc.com Sourcing platform. “Users will notice a refreshed design as well as new features that deliver a better, more personalised smart-sourcing experience anytime and anywhere. We have also employed new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to increase the efficiency through which we connect buyers with suppliers and improve the overall user experience.”

He said the HKTDC will continue to enhance its online services to help Hong Kong businesses capture opportunities. He believes physical and online exhibitions should integrate and complement each other. “Even when physical exhibitions resume, the HKTDC will continue to organise regular thematic online sourcing events to cater to the different sourcing cycles of various sectors, providing exhibitors with additional opportunities to connect with global buyers,” Mr Chau explained. “Fully utilising the advantages of online-to-offline promotion, we will carry out digital promotions and business-matching activities before and after the trade fairs, allowing exhibitors to reach out to overseas buyers who are not able to come to Hong Kong and helping to create an extended exhibition experience.”

Advanced smart sourcing opens up global business opportunities
Mr Chau said hktdc.com Sourcing is an easy-to-use platform that allows local businesses to customise online store pages and upload rich content, videos and images. The platform employs image recognition technology to swiftly provide keyword suggestions for relevant products, enabling target buyers to find the right products more easily. Suppliers can also examine page-performance data from the dashboard at any time, helping to improve supply chain management and making it easier to assess marketing effectiveness. The new platform records buyers’ preferences and recommends relevant new products to them.

“Local businesses are also provided with the option to purchase promotion ‘boosters’ based on their business needs and promotion strategies. This gives them the flexibility to increase their exposure on hktdc.com Sourcing platform pages and enhance their reach to potential business partners,” Mr Chau said. “In addition, the NewsBites content page introduces the latest sourcing trends and popular products. It also pushes notifications via social media channels such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to encourage more prospective buyers from around the world to visit suppliers’ online stores on our platform.”

Flexible services to meet marketing needs
“The new supplier authentication system classifies companies on the platform into Gold, Silver and Bronze categories based on reputation and activeness. A record of companies’ participation at HKTDC events and their last update time are also provided, serving as a reference for buyers as they seek out the most suitable suppliers,” Mr Chau said. The Third-party Authentication Service, meanwhile, allows suppliers to highlight their credibility and product quality to strengthen buyer confidence.

“We are also launching the Digital Academy to provide SMEs with comprehensive free-of-charge assistance and training in the area of digital marketing,” Mr Chau continued. These pragmatic, easy-to-understand courses, conducted by digital marketing experts, explore a variety of topics including search-engine optimisation (SEO), search-engine marketing (SEM), social-media content marketing, product photography, filming, copywriting techniques, and e-commerce business strategies. For example, award-winning film director Oliver Chan will share some of the secrets behind creating video content for digital platforms.

More trade promotion organisations sign up to platform
Trade promotion organisations such as the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and others from Italy, Korea and Qatar have set up cluster zones on hktdc.com Sourcing to promote products from their members as well as brands and industries in their respective countries and regions.

Tomohiro Takashima, Director General of JETRO’s Hong Kong office, said the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on physical trade activities between Japan and Hong Kong, and that more Japanese exporters exploring overseas markets have switched to online marketing. “We were pleased to learn that the HKTDC had launched an upgraded hktdc.com Sourcing online platform,” Mr Takashima said. “Using the customised online and social media promotion plan offered by the HKTDC, we have set up a page on the platform featuring more than 150 Japanese suppliers of houseware, healthcare and beauty products and more. I am confident that the platform can effectively connect Japanese businesses with buyers from Hong Kong and other markets and create business opportunities for all parties concerned. We plan to scale up the page gradually to feature more suppliers from different industries,” he added.

Daniel Ip, Chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, said times are tough for Hong Kong exporters amid the pandemic. Online sales and promotion have become a dominant trend in the industry, leading the federation to set up a dedicated page on the upgraded hktdc.com Sourcing online platform to help members promote their products. “I am delighted that the timely launch of the upgraded platform offers local SMEs an effective channel to connect with overseas buyers. In addition, the Digital Academy offers free courses to equip them with digital marketing capabilities to meet the challenges posed by the post-COVID-19 new normal,” Dr Ip added.

Autumn Sourcing Week | ONLINE launches next Monday
Under the theme “A New Connected World Beyond the New Normal”, Autumn Sourcing Week | ONLINE (ASWO) has attracted 2,600 exhibitors from 33 countries, including 37 group pavilions. The virtual trade fair features the latest products from 11 industries including electronics, houseware, lighting, outdoor lighting, eco tech, gifts and premiums, toys, baby products, stationery, optical as well as watches and clocks. “This is a one-stop sourcing platform where suppliers can generate new business while buyers can restock for the year ahead,” Mr Chau said.

ASWO offers a new 3D virtual booth where exhibitors can promote their brands and products through a unique presentation. The Environment Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) features an interactive “Hong Kong GO Green” virtual tour, introducing the latest waste management facilities as well as virtual reality demonstration of the latest noise reduction system. Cyberport’s 3D virtual booth will bring 14 start-ups to showcase innovative technologies such as mobile applications, consumer electronics, e-health, robotics and wearable devices. There are also spectacular 3D booths by exhibitors of optical, toys and baby products.

Additionally, ASWO features the AI-driven Click2Match business-matching platform. This platform supports meeting scheduling, video meetings, live-chat sessions, contact exchange and other functions to provide a richer online sourcing and networking experience for buyers and exhibitors. “We will mobilise our global office network to actively invite quality buyers to participate in AWSO,” Mr Chau said. “Virtual business-matching meetings are being arranged based on buyers’ sourcing needs, promoting business opportunities between buyers and exhibitors.”

At the same time, the ASWO Intelligence Hub will feature more than 20 webinars with over 100 leading industry figures sharing their insights. Five of the webinars are pre-approved under the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) programme. There are four main series:

– The SmartTech series – of which a highlight is the “Symposium on Innovation & Technology – A New Connected World Beyond the New Normal” on 16 November. Ricky Wong, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Hong Kong Television Network Limited, Professor Yuen Kwok-yung from the Department of Microbiology at the University of Hong Kong, and representatives from Google, Amazon, KPMG and renowned scholars from the United States will share insights on how innovative technologies like AI, 5G and the cloud are reshaping the post-pandemic world;

– The Lifestyle series – the LEGO Group will share consumer insights and marketing strategies for toys in the Greater China region at the Hong Kong Toys Industry Conference (18 November), while the Hong Kong International Watch Forum (18 November) will discuss manufacturing trends in the watchmaking industry;

– The Green and Sustainability series – the Eco Asia Conference powered by the Environment Bureau will be held on 19, 20 and 23 November. The Secretary for the Environment of the HKSAR Government and officials from Guangdong and Macao will share the latest progress in environmental protection work in the Greater Bay Area;

– The Business Essentials series – featuring webinars on practical tips for SMEs and the latest regional/market opportunities.

Mr Chau expected that the HKTDC can resume its physical trade fairs in March 2021 at the earliest. “We hope the HKSAR Government can reach agreement with more countries to establish ‘travel bubbles’ and promote cross-boundary business travel, making it possible to resume international physical trade fairs in Hong Kong and continue to create business opportunities for local traders,” he said.

Relevant websites
hktdc.com Sourcing promotional video: https://bit.ly/35isopP
Autumn Sourcing Week | ONLINE promotional video: https://youtu.be/FhLVABfKjdo
Photo download – https://bit.ly/35g1gYy

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

Contact:
For more information or to request interviews, please contact the HKTDC’s Communications and Public Affairs Department: Janet Chan, Tel: +852 2584 4369 / 9658 8280 Email: janet.ch.chan@hktdc.org Beatrice Lam, Tel: +852 2584 4049 / 9036 0212 Email: beatrice.hy.lam@hktdc.org

Multifunctional online platform runs until late September

Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the Hong Kong International Film & TV Market (FILMART Online) concluded successfully on 29 August. The four-day virtual content marketplace, where some 2,100 film and television productions were released and promoted, attracted nearly 7,000 international buyers from 73 countries and regions. More than 2,000 online business matching meetings were arranged, illustrating strong demand for entertainment content globally and confidence in the prospects for the industry.

More than 20 fringe events facilitate exchange

A total of 22 fringe events took place as part of FILMART Online, drawing more than 35,000 views in total. Among these events, six online conferences addressed the latest industry developments in areas such as streaming platforms and technologies for developing interactive entertainment content. Representatives from Japan, France, the Philippines, Finland and Taiwan introduced their quality productions and detailed local measures introduced in support of entertainment projects.

Multifunctional online platform continues until late September

Various functions of the FILMART Online platform will remain available until 30 September. Up to and including that date, exhibitors can continue to promote their productions and connect with buyers through the multifunctional online platform, while buyers can search for projects and enjoy online screenings, as well as viewing footage from the online conferences and seminars held as part of the event.

Website: http://www.hktdc.com/hkfilmart
Photo download: https://bit.ly/2EFZhm2

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

Contact:

Sam Ho, Tel: +852 2584 4569, Email: sam.sy.ho@hktdc.org
Cathy Lee, Tel: +852 2584 4393, Email: cathy.wk.lee@hktdc.org

Creating opportunities for global entertainment industry

Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the Hong Kong International Film and Television Fair | Online (FILMART Online) opens today and continues through 29 August, creating business opportunities for the global entertainment industry in the face of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The four-day virtual content marketplace brings together more than 670 exhibitors from 38 countries and regions, providing a platform for the release and promotion of nearly 2,000 film and television productions to potential buyers from around the world.

Virtual event draws positive response from global industry

Supported by major film production companies from Hong Kong, Mainland China and across the globe, FILMART Online has the goal of promoting cross-media and cross-industry collaboration. Participating Hong Kong companies include Erdong Pictures Group, Mandarin Entertainment, Media Asia Film, Mega-Vision Project Workshop, Mei Ah Entertainment Group, One Cool Film Production, PCCW Media Limited, Sil-Metropole Organisation, Sun Entertainment, TVBI, Emperor Motion Pictures and Universe Films Distribution. The Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF), a respected Asian film financing platform, is also taking part in FILMART Online, continuing its efforts to create business exchange opportunities for film workers by exhibiting 32 HAF film projects in the development stage and 22 work-in-progress film projects.

FILMART Online has also attracted encouraging participation from major content production companies in the mainland, such as China International Television Corporation (CITVC), iQiyi Pictures and Zhejiang Huace Media. A number of Chinese provinces and cities, including Chongqing, Hunan, Hangzhou, Jiaxing, Jiangsu, Ningbo, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanghai and Sichuan have set up regional pavilions at the event to showcase their productions.

Participating companies from overseas are a diverse mix, featuring first-time exhibitors from Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Greece, Ireland, Israel, the Netherlands and Switzerland. International pavilions include the European Union, Japan, Korea, Macao, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and the United States.

Multifunctional online platform facilitates exchange and networking

FILMART Online is equipped with a range of innovative features to boost exchange and networking among participants. In addition to dedicated pages for exhibitors to showcase their profiles and productions, the platform also provides a virtual screening tool and an advanced search function, ensuring that buyers can identify productions that interest them and enjoy previews with ease. More than 800 online business matching meetings are scheduled to connect exhibitors with buyers.

Online conferences address post-pandemic industry outlook

Six online conferences taking place during FILMART Online will address the post-pandemic outlook for the industry, focusing on the mainland entertainment market, the latest streaming platform trends in Asia, and technologies for developing interactive entertainment content. Speakers include representatives from industry leaders such as Media Partners Asia (Singapore), New Classics Media (Mainland China), MX Player (India) and WebTVAsia (Malaysia).

The Digital Entertainment Summit 2020 will be held on Friday, 28 August, running under the theme “Interactivity Actualised – Fresh Sight in Future Entertainment”. Speakers from GSMA (United Kingdom), iQiyi (Mainland China), Amazon Web Services (United States), and Kino (Asia) Industries (Hong Kong) will analyse how the use of 5G, cloud and interactive entertainment technologies can bring a more immersive and personalised experience to the market.

FILMART Online
Date: 26-29 August 2020
Website: http://www.hktdc.com/hkfilmart
Schedule of seminars and special events: https://tinyurl.com/y35e6psv

Photo download: https://bit.ly/3aYbA8V

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

Contact:

Sam Ho, Tel: +852 2584 4569, Email: sam.sy.ho@hktdc.org
Cathy Lee, Tel: +852 2584 4393, Email: cathy.wk.lee@hktdc.org