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Seven HKTDC mega events attract some 100,000 global buyers

– Lifestyle and licensing trade fairs foster cross-sector business opportunities
– strengthen resilience and expand market horizons

– The seven lifestyle and licensing events organised by the HKTDC concluded successfully today, with buyer numbers increasing across all exhibitions and some 100,000 buyers from 131 countries and regions attending in total
– Non-local buyers came primarily from Mainland China, Taiwan and Malaysia, underscoring Hong Kong’s influence as an international trade platform
– On-site surveys conducted at the events indicated that nearly half of respondents (49.2%) expected overall sales to rise in the next one to two years

The seven large-scale trade events organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), covering lifestyle products and licensing opportunities, concluded successfully today, with buyer numbers increasing across all exhibitions and some 100,000 buyers from 131 countries and regions attending for on-site purchasing and business negotiations. Among the lifestyle fairs, the Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair recorded some 36,000 buyers, Home InStyle attracted over 20,000 buyers, Fashion InStyle drew over 11,000 buyers, while the Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair and DeLuxe PrintPack Hong Kong saw over 11,000 buyers attend the concurrent events. Meanwhile, the Hong Kong International Licensing Show (HKILS) attracted over 20,000 buyers, and the Asian Licensing Conference (ALC) featured nearly 20 international licensing industry leaders as speakers. Non-local buyers at the six fairs came primarily from Mainland China, Taiwan and Malaysia, highlighting Hong Kong’s influence as an international trade platform.

Sophia Chong, HKTDC Deputy Executive Director, said: “The seven major events held by the HKTDC in late April brought together some 6,000 exhibitors from over 30 countries and regions. Despite the current challenges in the global economic and trade environment, we actively attracted buyers to our fairs to enhance trade resilience and assist exhibitors in gaining a foothold in new markets such as the Middle East and ASEAN regions. The HKTDC remains committed to promoting cross-sector and international trade cooperation among exhibitors, reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as an international trade hub and showcasing its unique advantage in building connections regionally and globally.”

Nearly half of respondents forecast sales growth
To gain deeper insights into current trends in the lifestyle products industry, the HKTDC conducted a survey of 1,583 exhibitors and buyers at the Gifts & Premium Fair, Home InStyle, and Fashion InStyle. Key market overview and product trends include:

– Nearly half of respondents (49.2%) expected their overall sales would rise in the next one to two years, while 44.5% foresaw that sales will remain stable. The greatest challenges identified were growing protectionist measures (45.7%), fluctuations in the global economy (43.3%) and the impact of inflation (32.0%).
– Respondents believed sales prospects are promising or very promising over the next two years in Mainland China (77.3%), India (74.2%), Taiwan (67.6%), Republic of Korea (66.4%) and ASEAN countries (65.8%).
– The following are the markets that the respondents are actively exploring: Europe (30.5%), ASEAN countries (17.2%), Japan (13.1%), North America (12.3%) and Republic of Korea (9.5%).
– In the gifts and premium market, respondents believed cultural gifts (17.6%), tech gifts (17.0%) and fashion accessories (16.9%) had the most growth potential.
– In the furniture and houseware market, smart home technology (21.0%), designer furniture and houseware products (17.0%) and kitchenware and tableware (15.7%) were considered to have the most growth potential.
– Respondents identified womenswear (40.3%), urban clothing (39.1%), and fashion accessories (32.0%) as having the most growth potential in the fashion market.

Concurrent mega events create synergies and promote new market opportunities
The seven concurrent events this year, spanning gifts, houseware, fashion, printing and packaging and IP licensing, helped to foster cross-industry collaboration for exhibitors and buyers. Jimmy Lo, Business Strategy Manager of Homelover Products Limited, a Hong Kong exhibitor at Home InStyle, said: “The number of new buyers visiting our booth has doubled over last year, coming mainly from Asia, the Middle East and South America. The fair attracted fashion buyers and also drew a children’s product exhibitor’s interest in partnering with us to develop eco-friendly tableware. It is expected that this fair will bring us approximately US$100,000 in sales.”

A German buyer at the Gifts & Premium Fair, Michael Baumann, a partner in Know How International GmbH & Co KG, said: “I sourced products from India, Vietnam and Bangladesh as souvenirs and giveaways for the European football league. Additionally, I identified a sports bag supplier and a recycled paper box supplier from Mainland China, as well as a metal souvenir supplier from Hong Kong, with a potential total order value of approximately US$2.3 million to US$2.8 million. I am also highly interested in the licensed animated characters from a mainland exhibitor, with a potential order value of up to US$600,000.”

In response to global trade challenges, exhibitors are prioritising market diversification and actively pursuing new customer acquisition. Hong Kong exhibitor Moral Team Holdings Ltd has participated in the Gifts & Premium Fair for 17 years, focusing on the development of eco-friendly bag products. The company’s Marketing & Ecommerce Manager, Charlotte Chui, said: “The new US tariff policies have impacted 10% of our export share, prompting us to focus more on the Asian market at this stage. The Gifts & Premium Fair has provided us with a platform to connect with buyers from Japan, Singapore and Taiwan. Our mid- to long-term plan is expanding into the Australian and European markets. The concurrent fairs have attracted interest from fashion and houseware buyers. On the first day alone, we secured several orders from the Asian market and anticipate achieving total sales of over US$500,000 at the fair.”

Fairs drive the development of high-value cultural and creative industries
Cultural and creative products that combine design and functionality are attracting significant attention from buyers. Stanley Kwok, Director of KnitWarm Ltd, a Hong Kong exhibitor at Home InStyle, said “We showcased our patented heat-conductive smart textile technology products in the Cultural and Creative Avenue and Gerontech Living Pavilion. Buyers from Japan, Mainland China, Malaysia, Singapore, the UK and the US, as well as social workers in Hong Kong, have expressed interest in our four-in-one warmer blanket cushions and warmer band series. We are confident that the fair will generate at least US$200,000 in sales for our company.” Taiwan buyer William Wu, owner of Royal Best Group Corp, said: “I was impressed by the home trends highlighted in the collaboration between the Cultural and Creative Avenue and Pantone. I connected with exhibitors from the Czech Republic, Taiwan, Hong Kong and more, and plan to make purchases of houseware products totalling US$50,000 to US$100,000 this year. I’m particularly interested in the Czech incense stick holder and look forward to future collaboration opportunities.”

Global new materials at Fashion InStyle drive cross-sector interest
This year saw the launch of NEXT@Fashion InStyle at Fashion InStyle a new highlighted zone organised by the HKTDC and sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) of the HKSAR Government. Han Chong, founder and creative director of Self-Portrait, joined as the zone’s ambassador. NEXT@Fashion InStyle was dedicated to establishing a collaborative platform for sustainable and new materials for buyers and exhibitors, as well as designer brands, successfully connecting a buyer from Malaysia, Richard Tsen, founder of CollbStore, with Indonesian exhibitor PT Miko Bahtera Nusantara (MYCL). Mr Tsen said: “I am very interested in the company’s mushroom leather material and was amazed by its solidness and coating after the baking process. This inspired me to apply it to my designer label. I also referred them to the Malaysian Furniture Design Institute to let them explore the creation of mushroom leather furniture. I believe it has the potential to make a significant impact and resonate within the Malaysian and wider Asian market.”

Mary Ma, owner-principal of Textile Library, a mainland exhibitor at Fashion InStyle, expressed keen interest in leveraging the exhibition to explore establishing a base in Hong Kong. She said: “Hong Kong is a vibrant crossroads where eastern and western cultures meet. It connects factories across Southeast Asia and attracts European and American buyers.” Chinamind Next Interculture Group, the parent company of renowned fashion industry publication WWD China, also recognised the strategic advantages of Hong Kong as a gateway connecting the mainland with the world, signing a memorandum of understanding with the HKTDC during the fair.

Diverse creativity unlocks new licensing opportunities

Chengdu Chenghau Butterflies Huatian Culture Development Co Ltd, one of the exhibitors at the HKILS, signed a cooperation agreement with Sureka.Z Limited worth RMB2 million during the show. The former granted Sureka.Z Limited the performance rights for 10 shows of Panda the Musical in Hong Kong and Macao. At the ALC, meanwhile, leaders from the industry shared their insights on the trends and opportunities in the creative industry. Gabriel Kwong, Panda IP Creator, Ocean Park Hong Kong and Co-Founder of Air World Limited said: “Our edge is being able to see the world from a panda’s perspective, and as a park that raises pandas we can immediately gather real-life materials and transform them into IP content. The interplay between reality and virtual elements makes our IP increasingly entertaining.”

The Printing & Packaging Fair and DeLuxe PrintPack Hong Kong also created business opportunities for the industry. Zahoor A Qurashi, CEO of Regal Pack, a buyer from the UK, shared: “The fair featured a wide range of sustainable products, including luxury options such as skincare and perfume packaging, as well as ribbons, alongside practical everyday solutions like food and beverage packaging. I placed an order worth US$80,000 with one supplier and am optimistic about future collaborations. Additionally, I made an initial order of US$40,000 with another supplier for heat-expandable cups, which has the potential to grow significantly, possibly reaching US$1 million.”

Seamless online-offline integration drives business engagement
The seven events adopted the EXHIBITION+ online-offline integrated model, enabling buyers to continue discussions with exhibitors online during and after the fairs, extending business interactions beyond the physical event.

Photo download: https://bit.ly/44bMnph

Websites

HKTDC Media Room: https://mediaroom.hktdc.com/en
Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair: https://www.hktdc.com/event/hkgiftspremiumfair/en
Home InStyle: https://www.hktdc.com/event/homeinstyle/en
Fashion InStyle: https://www.hktdc.com/event/fashioninstyle/en
Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair: https://www.hktdc.com/event/hkprintpackfair/en
DeLuxe PrintPack Hong Kong: https://www.hktdc.com/event/deluxeprintpackhk/en
Hong Kong International Licensing Show and Asian Licensing Conference: https://www.hktdc.com/event/hklicensingshow/en

Media enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:

Home InStyle
Fraser Li	Tel: (852) 2584 4369	Email: fraser.li@hktdc.org
Fashion InStyle
Serena Cheung	Tel: (852) 2584 4272	Email: serena.hm.cheung@hktdc.org
HK Gifts & Premium Fair, HK International Printing & Packaging Fair and DeLuxe PrintPack Hong Kong
Winnie Kan	Tel: (852) 2584 4055	Email: winnie.wy.kan@hktdc.org
HK International Licensing Show and Asian Licensing Conference
Katy Wong	Tel: (852) 2584 4524	Email: katy.ky.wong@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 over 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.

HKTDC’s April lifestyle fairs open today

– Showcasing cultural and creative design excellence for gifts and home products
– and sustainable trends in the fashion and packaging sectors

– Five HKTDC trade fairs kick off today, including the Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair, Home InStyle, Fashion InStyle, Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair, and DeLuxe PrintPack Hong Kong, while two major licensing events, the Hong Kong International Licensing Show and Asian Licensing Conference, will begin tomorrow
– Celebrating its 40th edition, the Gifts & Premium Fair showcases creative and functional products, with award-winning entries from the Hong Kong Smart Design Awards highlighting local design talent
– Home InStyle introduces the Gerontech Living Pavilion and expands its upgraded Cultural and Creative Avenue, welcoming first-time exhibitors from the Czech Republic
– Fashion InStyle’s new highlighted zone, NEXT@Fashion InStyle, features advanced fashion materials from over 60 global suppliers, with renowned international fashion designer and Self-Portrait brand founder Han Chong joining as ambassador
– The two packaging fairs present printing and packaging solutions that balance sustainability and smart design, aligning with market trends

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) launches its diverse lineup of lifestyle exhibitions today, with the Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair, Home InStyle, and Fashion InStyle opening at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) and the Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair and DeLuxe PrintPack Hong Kong beginning at AsiaWorld-Expo.

HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Sophia Chong said: “Hong Kong’s exports of gifts, home products, fashion items and packaging solutions are increasingly targeting the mid-to-high-end market, transitioning from original equipment manufacturing to original design. The HKTDC remains committed to supporting exhibitors’ needs to help them upgrade and transform their businesses, while enhancing the overall quality of our exhibitions to provide a premier platform for cultural and creative design that can reinforce Hong Kong’s position as a leading regional creative hub. This year’s lifestyle fairs are being held together in late April to offer buyers a one-stop, diverse sourcing experience, helping industry players explore cross-sector and cross-disciplinary business opportunities and creating synergies.”

The 2025 lifestyle fairs and conferences have attracted some 6,000 exhibitors from over 30 countries and regions, including Mainland China and Hong Kong, as well as Australia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and Thailand from the Asia-Pacific region, and Italy, Spain, Switzerland and the United States from the European and North American regions. Fashion InStyle will welcome first-time exhibitors from Austria and the UK, while the Printing & Packaging Fair will feature a new participant from Cambodia, reflecting the global business community’s confidence in Hong Kong’s exhibition platform.

Creative designs unlock business opportunities, Gifts Fair embraces blind box trend
The Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair marks its 40th edition in 2025 with the theme “Celebrating Four Decades of Wonder”, showcasing products that blend functionality with creative design. This year, some exhibitors are tapping into the popular blind box trend. The Jiangxi Province Jingdezhen Pavilion introduces ceramic works that use the blind box model to nurture the next generation of designers and artisans. Hong Kong exhibitor Soap Studio Company Limited showcases blind boxes featuring the popular Japanese character SHO-CHAN and Disney’s Toy Story character Aliens (Booth: HKCEC 1C-E03). Another Hong Kong exhibitor, Star Industrial Co Ltd, presents blind boxes from its Red A brand (Booth: HKCEC 1C-G03).

To showcase Hong Kong’s original design talent to the world, 65 award-winning works from the Hong Kong Smart Design Awards 2025, organised by the Hong Kong Exporters’ Association, are on display at the Gifts & Premium Fair (Booth: HKCEC 5C-C02). In addition, Wei Yit Vacuum Flask Manufactory Ltd, a Hong Kong-based company with 85 years of heritage, is leveraging the fair to expand its flagship Camel-brand glass flasks into overseas markets (Booth: HKCEC 1C-E02).

The Cultural and Creative Avenue at Home InStyle has been upgraded and expanded this year, featuring more than 100 exhibitors from nine countries and regions including Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, Japan and the UK. First-time exhibitors from the Czech Republic are showcasing Bohemian crystal glassware, home fragrances and incense (Booth: HKCEC 5E-M07, M09), while Hong Kong exhibitor Canalside Studio presents its innovative “Ball Bearing Bench” that combines a doughnut-inspired design with a roller structure, allowing users to rotate while seated and enjoy a more interactive experience.

New Gerontech Living Pavilion targets the silver economy
To support the growing silver economy in Hong Kong, Home InStyle, with funding from the Innovation and Technology Commission, is launching the Gerontech Living Pavilion (Booth: HKCEC 5E-A08) at this year’s fair. The pavilion is divided into four areas – bedroom, living room, bathroom and games room – to showcase innovative gerontechnology products from over 10 local companies, including social robots, smart mobile toilets and smart walking sticks. The Hong Kong Housing Society Elderly Resources Centre is staging the Age-Friendly Home Living Lab and organising the Experiential Empathy Workshop that allows visitors to better understand the needs of the elderly (Booth: HKCEC 5E-A02). In addition, the Hong Kong Productivity Council introduces mixed-reality (MR) games that integrate hand-eye coordination with floral arrangements to stimulate muscular and brain functions (Booth: HKCEC 5E-A08).

Home InStyle and the Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair will together host a seminar featuring a representative from Venture Global Limited, a developer of wireless elderly home care products, alongside a scholar from Lingnan University to discuss emerging trends in healthcare and the silver economy. The seminar will focus on the development of smart wearable technologies and innovative gerontechnology products, assessing strategies that can effectively meet the needs of the silver demographic.

NEXT@Fashion InStyle becomes the new focus
The 2025 edition of Fashion InStyle sees the launch of NEXT@ Fashion InStyle (NEXT), a new highlighted zone organised by the HKTDC and sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) of the HKSAR Government. Thailand is the Strategic Partner of NEXT@Fashion InStyle, powered by the Thailand Creative Culture Agency (THACCA) and The National Soft Power Development Committee who have brought some 30 Thai exhibitors to showcase fashion materials that blend Thai culture with sustainability and innovative technologies. In addition to Thai exhibitors, the NEXT zone has brought together more than 60 exhibitors from Mainland China, Europe, the Americas, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam, among others, presenting cutting-edge materials to create an international platform for shaping future fashion trends. Notably, the Hangzhou New Concept Fabric Creative Centre Textile Library has established an innovation hub within NEXT, featuring products that integrate traditional Chinese crafts such as Badu Linen Embroidery, beam printing and tie-dye techniques with advanced materials. (Booth: HKCEC 3F-G11)

The NEXT zone has facilitated collaborations between leading advanced material brands and five local designers, with Han Chong, founder of internationally acclaimed fashion brand Self-Portrait, joining as ambassador to share insights and mentor the designers. Participants include designer Jason Ying, a former intern at the Self-Portrait studio, who draws inspiration from vintage military uniforms to reimagine classics using innovative materials (Booth: HKCEC 3F-H16). Another designer, Kinyan Lam, employs Gambiered Canton Silk, a national intangible cultural heritage textile from Guangdong that goes back more than 1,000 years, leveraging its lightweight and soft texture to create streamlined silhouettes and flowing hemlines, blending cultural heritage with contemporary design (Booth: HKCEC 3F-H12).

Two packaging fairs highlight sustainability and luxury design

Jointly organised by the HKTDC and CIEC Exhibition Company (HK) Limited, the 20th edition of the Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair and the concurrent DeLuxe PrintPack Hong Kong bring together a diverse range of printing and packaging solutions. The Green Printing & Packaging Solutions Zone at the Printing & Packaging Fair features innovative offerings, including gift bags from Vietnam’s Intbox Intelligent Packaging Corporation made from 100% recycled paper and biodegradable materials (Booth: AWE 3-G01), and Hong Kong’s Complacent Industrial (H.K.) Limited’s recycled yarn woven ribbons crafted from repurposed plastic bottles and other recycled plastics (Booth: AWE 3-E06). In the Packaging Services and Solutions Zone, Shanghai Forests Packaging Group Co., Ltd. exhibits eco-friendly paper bags and boxes made from recycled kraft paper and biodegradable coatings (Booth: AWE 6-C17).

DeLuxe PrintPack Hong Kong, which focuses on premium packaging for fine wines, cosmetics and jewellery, also presents an array of sustainable packaging solutions. Hong Kong exhibitor Man Sang Envelope Manufacturing Factory Co Ltd features FSC-certified paper and meticulous craftsmanship in its advent calendar packaging boxes, seamlessly blending environmental sustainability with luxurious design (Booth: AWE 3-A06).

Industry seminars unlock new market opportunities
The April lifestyle events are featuring approximately 60 thematic seminars, buyer forums, product promotion and launch events and fashion parades, covering market analysis, cultural creative design, smart industry developments, the silver economy, health and wellness, and sustainability. At Home InStyle and the Gifts & Premium Fair, distinguished speakers will share insights on sustainable consumption trends in the gift and houseware markets and address issues such as how SMEs can navigate the European Union’s latest Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). The speakers include Steven Baumgaertner, Chairman of the European Associations Cooperation, Steven Choi, Chief Operating Officer of the Green Council, and representatives from the Gold Award winner of the 4th Asia Exhibition of Innovations and Inventions (AEII), the Hong Kong Accreditation Service of the Innovation and Technology Commission, and TÜV Rheinland. Meanwhile, the Printing & Packaging Fair, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Digital Printing Association, will host a seminar featuring industry leaders such as William Ho, the Association’s Honorary Chairman, and representatives from Kanghong Digital Image (hk) Ltd. and eprint Group Limited, to explore how the printing industry can address the dual challenges of competitiveness and innovation.

Running concurrently with the five April trade fairs will be the Hong Kong International Licensing Show and Asian Licensing Conference, which start tomorrow and run for three days at the HKCEC.

EXHIBITION+ model extends business opportunities for participants
The HKTDC continues to employ its EXHIBITION+ online-offline integrated model for the fairs, allowing exhibitors to leverage the AI-powered Click2Match business matching platform, hktdc.com Sourcing platform and the Intelligence Hub to extend physical exhibition interactions onto online platforms. Buyers can use the Scan2Match function in the HKTDC Marketplace App to scan exhibitor and product showcase QR codes, record favourite exhibitors, browse product information and make enquiries, allowing discussions to continue online during and after the exhibition. Starting this month, the online promotion period for exhibitors will be extended to one year. For convenience, buyers can register on the HKTDC Marketplace App and download free eBadges for direct venue entry.

Photo download: https://bit.ly/4jJYmie

Websites

Media enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:

Home InStyle
Fraser Li	Tel: (852) 2584 4369	Email: fraser.li@hktdc.org
Fashion InStyle
Serena Cheung	Tel: (852) 2584 4272	Email: serena.hm.cheung@hktdc.org
HK Gifts & Premium Fair, HK International Printing & Packaging Fair and DeLuxe PrintPack Hong Kong
Winnie Kan	Tel: (852) 2584 4055	Email: winnie.wy.kan@hktdc.org
HK International Licensing Show and Asian Licensing Conference
Katy Wong	Tel: (852) 2584 4524	Email: katy.ky.wong@hktdc.org

Hong Kong International Licensing Show and Asian Licensing Conference Open Today

– Focusing on IP Opportunities, Driving Creative Innovation

– The Hong Kong International Licensing Show (HKILS) and Asian Licensing Conference (ALC) commence today for three days at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
– Some 330 exhibitors from around the world, showcasing more than 600 brands and intellectual properties (IPs) will be attending HKILS
– ALC features nearly 20 international licensing industry experts to discuss the latest global licensing trends, sustainable licensing models, immersive art and technology applications, and IP innovations
– The event features more than 30 panda-themed IPs, with the Beijing Municipal Cultural Heritage Bureau and two Egyptian museums participating for the first time
-“Hong Kong Licensing Force” is a new exhibition zone showcasing design and IP projects from multiple Hong Kong universities.

The 22nd Hong Kong International Licensing Show (HKILS) and the 14th Asian Licensing Conference (ALC), organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), commence today for three days at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Over 330 exhibitors from around the world are showcasing more than 600 brands and intellectual properties (IPs) at HKILS. At the concurrent ALC, nearly 20 international licensing industry experts will explore key industry topics. Both these events foster cross-sector and cross-industry collaboration, enhance the commercial value of IP, and expand the IP trading ecosystem, reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as a regional IP and licensing trading hub.

Margaret Fong, HKTDC Executive Director, said at the opening ceremony: “These two flagship events reflect the continued growth and vitality of the global licensing sector. Thanks to our world-class experience and talents, robust legal protections, proximity to growth markets and a new generation of consumers, Hong Kong is an established IP and licensing trading hub. HKILS provides a vibrant platform for the city’s emerging creative talents who are developing new IPs.”

ALC focuses on trending topics, including how classic character and cultural heritage IPs can preserve their original spirit while staying relevant. Ms Fong added that ALC will include the enduring stories of truly iconic and globally appealing characters such as the Peanuts gang and the Smurfs, and explore the potential of these IPs to further develop their reach and appeal in the ever-changing marketplace. The conference will also take a deep dive into the rich cultural heritage of China and Egypt, two of the world’s most historic civilisations, and how such timeless IP create fresh connections and generate new experiences in today’s world.

HKILS and ALC welcomed Raistlin Lau, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s Acting Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, as the guest of honour at the opening ceremony. Mr Lau remarked: “Brands and Intellectual Property has been proven as the cornerstone of the creative industry. The annual Hong Kong International Licensing Show is the flagship event in Asia that gathers global license sources and brand representatives in Hong Kong to explore infinite business opportunities with licensees, licensing agents and traders. In the three-day fair, among the 330 exhibitors are 43 Hong Kong emerging design companies which will showcase their licensable designs in Hong Kong Pavillion, which is one of the CreateSmart Initiative projects supported by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau.”

Panda-themed IPs and museums and cultural institutions from the mainland at both events
Hong Kong’s pandas have welcomed local and international visitors, giving the local economy a significant boost. HKILS features over 30 panda-themed IPs, including Ocean Park Hong Kong’s panda family IP, featuring “Ying Ying”, “Le Le”, “Elder Sister”, and “Little Brother”. For the first time, HKILS welcomes the Egyptian Museum Cairo and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation.

The Mainland China Pavilion features over 30 museums and cultural institutions including Prince Kung’s Palace Museum and 14 prominent museums led by Beijing Municipal Cultural Heritage Bureau, including the Capital Museum, China, Confucian Temple and the Imperial College Museum and Natural History Museum of China, showcasing Beijing’s rich historical and cultural resources and continuously enhancing the internationalisation of its cultural and creative museums.

“Hong Kong Licensing Force” supports young talent
This year’s HKILS introduces the “Hong Kong Licensing Force”, aimed at nurturing original brands and IPs. The zone features 15 IPs from students at The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, covering areas such as environmental protection, cultural conservation and social development. Through diverse media applications, including AR and VR experiences, these projects present the innovative thoughts of the new generation.

Another initiative supporting local creative design is the Design Licensing and Business (DLAB) Support Scheme, sponsored by the HKSAR Government’s Cultural and the Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) which returns to the Licensing Show with more than 40 local designers.

Classic IPs Reveal Strategies for Sustained Popularity
For ALC, Maarten Weck, Executive Vice President, Global Partnerships & Licensing of WildBrain and Tim Erickson, Executive Vice President, Peanuts Worldwide & WildBrain Brands, shared the sophisticated strategies that keep Peanuts popular and loved across generations during Snoopy’s 75th Anniversary: The Beagle that Captured Our Hearts. WildBrain is Peanuts IP owner.

Mr Weck said: “Brands are global, but executions need to be local. Consumers nowadays want to be surprised by diverse and different offerings, including brand collaborations. We need to think outside the box about which brands could benefit from working with you, and vice versa. That is something consumers really focus on.”

ALC hosted a China Opportunity sharing session, focusing on the potential and opportunities within the cultural industry on the mainland. In the China Opportunity (1) – Hong Kong’s Unique Position to Take Chinese Cultural IP Global session were Lichao Zhang, Chairman of Beijing National Library Innovative Cultural Relics Protection Technology and General Manager of Beijing National Library Innovative Cultural Service, Pan Wei, Deputy Director of Beijing Ancient Architecture Museum (Xiannongtan) and Gabriel Kwong, Ocean Park Hong Kong’s Panda IP Creator and Co-Founder of Air World Limited. During the session, the speakers analysed how Hong Kong’s unique role as a “super connector” in creating cultural symbols with both Chinese characteristics and international appeal, facilitating cultural exports. The conference also specially invited Wan Pin Chu, an erhuist and film composer for the Chinese animated blockbuster “Ne Zha ” as speaker.

ALC continues over the next two days with more exciting content, including a series of activities to deepen the understanding of ancient Egyptian civilisation and the commercial opportunities behind its IPs. Metavision Global Entertainment CEO Ethan Tang will join attendees tomorrow in the Licensing Academy II – The Future of Storytelling: How Technology Transforms Narrative in Immersive Art to experience VR and AR that bring new entertainment experiences and explore the development process of the VR immersive journey, “Horizon of Khufu”.

Dr. Ali Abdelhalim Ali, General Director of the Egyptian Museum, and Dr. Nashwa Gaber Mohamed, Deputy Executive Director of Archaeological Affairs at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation, will participate in tomorrow’s Tapping into the Timeless Allure of Ancient Egypt: Licensing Opportunities with Museums, focusing on artifacts with potential and successful commercialisation cases, sharing how museums can expand from traditional souvenir shop models into new licensing domains.

Fabienne Gilles, Chief Commercial Officer of Peyo Company, and Marie Van Buggenhout, Senior Licensing Distribution Manager, will join tomorrow’s session, How to Mix Fun and Sustainability in a Smurfy Way. Representing the Smurfs, created by Belgian cartoonist Peyo (Pierre Culliford), they will share how the core values of the Smurfs can be harnessed to promote environmental awareness and sustainable practices worldwide through the collaborations with the United Nations.

The Hong Kong International Licensing Show and Asian Licensing Conference are held concurrently with five other lifestyle exhibitions organised by the HKTDC, including the Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair, Home InStyle, Fashion InStyle, Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair, and DeLuxe PrintPack Hong Kong, creating opportunities for cross-industry exchange and collaboration.

Photo download: https://bit.ly/4lJ8Z6J

Websites
Hong Kong International Licensing Show:
https://www.hktdc.com/event/hklicensingshow/en

Asian Licensing Conference: https://www.hktdc.com/event/hklicensingshow/en/programme category=all&date=all

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

Media enquiries
For more information, please contact Raconteur:

Molisa Lau	Tel: (852) 6187 7786	Email: molisalau@raconteur.hk
Betsy Tse	Tel: (852) 9742 7338	Email: betsytse@raconteur.hk

The HKTDC’s Communications and Public Affairs Department:

Katy Wong

Tel: (852) 2584 4524

Email: katy.ky.wong@hktdc.org

Strengthening Hong Kong-Zhejiang Ties

– Over 600 government, business leaders attend Ningbo conference

Hong Kong Investment Promotion Conference – Zhejiang Ningbo Forum cum Ningbo-Hong Kong Economic Co-operation Forum was successfully held in Ningbo, attracting over 600 government and business leaders
Promoted Hong Kong’s role as superconnector and super value-adder to Zhejiang’s business community, focusing on competitive advantages in finance, supply chain, innovation and technology and professional services
Three roundtable sessions facilitated comprehensive business networking between Zhejiang, Ningbo and Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Investment Promotion Conference – Zhejiang Ningbo Forum cum Ningbo-Hong Kong Economic Co-operation Forum, co-organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the Hong Kong SAR (HKSAR) Government and Ningbo Municipal People’s Government, was held today at the Shangri-La Hotel, Ningbo. The event attracted over 600 government and business leaders who discussed collaboration opportunities among Zhejiang, Ningbo and Hong Kong.

The event was held on the 20th anniversary of the Ningbo-Hong Kong Economic Co-operation Forum. Hong Kong’s business advantages were highlighted to Zhejiang government officials as well as business leaders from the finance, supply chain, innovation and technology and professional services sectors. In addition to fostering Zhejiang-Hong Kong and Ningbo-Hong Kong collaboration, Zhejiang enterprises were encouraged to leverage Hong Kong’s platform to explore opportunities.

The Forum’s opening ceremony was hosted by Mayor of Ningbo and Deputy Secretary of the CPC Ningbo Municipal Government Tang Feifan this morning, with speeches delivered by the HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee, Executive Vice Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the CPC Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council Zhou Ji, Chief Engineer of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology Xie Shaofeng, Chief Risk Officer and Director General of the Department of Public Offering Supervision of the China Securities Regulatory Commission Yan Bojin, Vice Governor of Zhejiang Provincial Government Lu Shan, Standing Member of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee and Secretary of the CPC Ningbo Municipal Committee Peng Jiaxue and HKTDC Chairman Dr Peter K N Lam.

In his speech, Mr Lee said: “The Hong Kong SAR Government and the HKTDC established a high value-added supply chain service mechanism at the end of last year to help mainland enterprises set up international or regional headquarters in Hong Kong to manage offshore trade and supply chains. Hong Kong has robust international trade networks and rich expertise, diverse talent and world-class professional services. We are well positioned to offer mainland enterprises new supply chain services and lead these businesses in exploring emerging markets, breaking through the US blockade.”

Mr Zhou stated that the historical ties between Zhejiang and Hong Kong are long-standing, with the two regions sharing close personal relations, cultural connections and commercial linkages. Hong Kong is Zhejiang’s largest source of foreign investment, the largest partner in trade in services and second-largest destination for Zhejiang’s overseas investments. By the end of 2024, Hong Kong has established over 30,000 enterprises in Zhejiang, while Zhejiang had invested in over 3,000 enterprises in Hong Kong. The mutually beneficial collaboration between Zhejiang and Hong Kong is an exemplary model of regional cooperation between the mainland and Hong Kong.

Mr Xie stated that Zhejiang’s digital economy is vibrant, with outstanding advantages in industry agglomeration and strong momentum in developing industry and information technology. Ningbo and Hong Kong are both international port cities, sharing a close bond, human connection and commercial ties, with a long-standing history of interaction between the two places. Looking towards the future, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology will continue to support Ningbo and Hong Kong in strengthening exchange and cooperation, promoting complementary advantages to make new and greater contributions to ensure the prosperity of Hong Kong’s economy and the nation’s modernisation.

Mr Yan said that the China Securities Regulatory Commission fully supports mainland enterprises listing in Hong Kong. In March 2023, the China Securities Regulatory Commission implemented new regulations for overseas listings and established a regulatory coordination mechanism with various ministries. Since implementing the new rules, 141 mainland enterprises have completed the filing process for listing in Hong Kong, including 19 enterprises from Zhejiang. Among these, 13 Zhejiang enterprises and one Ningbo enterprise have completed their listing. These companies are involved in key sectors, such as information technology, biomedicine and consumer goods, contributing to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange ranking fourth globally in IPOs in 2024.

He pointed out that the next step for the China Securities Regulatory Commission is to continue improving the institutional mechanism to provide a more transparent, efficient and predictable regulatory environment for overseas listings by enterprises.

Mr Lu remarked that Hong Kong would become a “super navigator” for Zhejiang’s globalisation efforts, while Zhejiang would become Hong Kong’s best partner.

He said: “In terms of deepening economic cooperation, Zhejiang enterprises can leverage Hong Kong’s international platform to further expand into global markets and enhance their brand visibility. Hong Kong enterprises can also increase their investments in Zhejiang and Ningbo to share the benefits of Mainland China’s economic development. In the technology field, we see joint efforts by research institutions and enterprises from both sides, and we believe that more technological innovation and industrialisation will be achieved in both regions.”

Mr Peng stated that for many years, members of Hong Kong’s Ningbo community have been contributing to the development of Hong Kong and the nation, creating many inspiring stories of patriotism showing love for their hometown and showcasing entrepreneurial innovation.

He noted: “In recent years, cooperation between Ningbo and Hong Kong has been greatly advanced and continuously deepened, yielding fruitful results. For the people of Ningbo, Hong Kong is not only the world-renowned ‘Pearl of the Orient’, but also a vital force driving Ningbo’s reform, opening up, and modernisation. It is a place of deep emotional connections and an opportunity-rich city linking us to the wider world. Ningbo will strive to elevate Ningbo-Hong Kong cooperation to new heights.”

Dr Lam said: “This event showcased Hong Kong’s unique advantages as an international business hub and explored how Zhejiang enterprises, particularly those from Ningbo, can leverage our business platform and partner with our expert professional services to optimise their operations and accelerate their global expansion.”

Following the opening ceremony, Deputy Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government Michael Wong introduced Hong Kong’s advantages, encouraging Zhejiang enterprises to utilise Hong Kong’s platform to connect with international markets. He noted that since 2022, over 80 key enterprises have established themselves or expanded their operations in Hong Kong, with 80% coming from Mainland China, including many leading companies across fields, such as AI and robotics, data science, advanced manufacturing, clean energy, life and health technology and fintech.

Mr Wong said: “In this era, in which the global economy and international trade face significant challenges, we need to unite and work together more than ever. In Hong Kong, we will leverage our strengths to meet the nation’s needs and actively integrate into the country’s overall development. We hope to join hands with mainland enterprises to create a better tomorrow.”

In her keynote speech, Casa Bauhinia Co-Founder Prof Anna Pao Sohmen shared insights on future Zhejiang (Ningbo) – Hong Kong collaboration. She stated that Hong Kong enjoys a long-standing legal system, an open free market and an excellent strategic location, and with the enterprising spirit of Ningbo enterprises, they can surely create golden opportunities.

She said: “The pragmatic and open approach of Ningbo, combined with Hong Kong’s ‘Lion Rock spirit’ and can-do approach, will certainly lead to breakthroughs.”

During the event, Invest Hong Kong signed MOUs with 12 Zhejiang (including Ningbo) enterprise representatives, advancing key Zhejiang-Hong Kong and Ningbo-Hong Kong collaboration projects.

Yesterday, HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee and Secretary of the Zhejiang Provincial Committee Wang Hao attended the First Plenary Session of the Hong Kong/Zhejiang Co-operation Conference. The Zhejiang/Hong Kong co-operation mechanism was established during the conference, marking a new chapter for comprehensive exchange and collaboration between the two regions. At the meeting, the two governments signed MoUs on 13 key areas, covering 51 projects. One MoU signed between HKTDC and the Department of Commerce of Zhejiang Province outlined aims for the HKTDC to proactively encourage Hong Kong businesses to invest and expand in Zhejiang, and to also organise trade delegations from various sectors to visit Zhejiang. The two counterparts will continue to explore new areas of trade collaboration to promote high-quality development.

During the panel discussion today, distinguished guests – including Chairman of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation Dr Sunny Chai, Chief Executive of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited Bonnie Chan; and Chief Executive Officer of the Airport Authority Hong Kong Vivian Cheung – exchanged thoughts on collaboration opportunities in finance, I&T and supply chain. Executive Director and Co-President of Tigermed Hao Wu also shared his company’s success in achieving international growth by leveraging Hong Kong’s platform.

The three thematic roundtable sessions held in the afternoon attracted numerous enterprises. Focusing on topics such as listing in Hong Kong, opportunities for innovation and technology companies, and cross-border supply chain management, the sessions brought together institutions and businesses from Hong Kong and Zhejiang for in-depth and targeted discussions on future collaborations.

During the event, HKTDC, Invest Hong Kong and the Immigration Department of the HKSAR Government set up consultation booths to provide professional advisory services to attendees.

The forum has become an important platform for deepening Zhejiang-Hong Kong collaboration, enabling more mainland enterprises to leverage Hong Kong’s business advantages and partner with its professional services sector to expand globally.

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

Media enquiries

City Express (PR agency):

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HKTDC’s Shanghai Office:

Sun Ping

Tel: (86) 21-63528488

Email: p.sun@hktdc.org

HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:

Jane Cheung

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Email: jane.mh.cheung@hktdc.org

InnoEX and Spring Electronics Fair attract some 88,000 global buyers

Low-altitude economic solutions highly popular with many industries actively exploring business opportunities

– The 3rd InnoEX and 21st Spring Electronics Fair concluded successfully today, attracting some 88,000 buyers from 148 countries and regions.
– One of the highlights of this year’s InnoEX were the low-altitude economic solutions, which generated significant interest and attracted enquiries and business discussions from global buyers, including those from emerging markets.
– Over half of InnoEX and Spring Electronics Fair respondents intend to expand into emerging markets, including ASEAN, Mainland China and the Middle East.
– 40% survey respondents at the Spring Electronics Fair expect their overall sales to increase in the next one to two years, while half of all respondents are confident that they can maintain the current level.

The 3rd InnoEX, co-organised by the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau of the HKSAR Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), alongside the 21st HKTDC Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition), concluded successfully today. The four-day exhibitions attracted some 88,000 buyers from 148 countries and regions. Apart from local visitors, the fairs welcomed buyers mainly from Mainland China, India, Japan, Korea and Taiwan.

Sophia Chong, HKTDC Deputy Executive Director, said, “As the two core events of the Business of Innovation and Technology Week (BIT Week), InnoEX and the Spring Electronics Fair attracted some 88,000 visitors from Hong Kong, Mainland China and overseas. By showcasing the latest smart solutions and R&D achievements to international buyers, exhibitors initiated numerous regional business collaborations and discussions, while exploring new markets successfully. The exhibitions further advanced Hong Kong’s development as an international I&T hub and reinforced its status as a global trade centre, demonstrating Hong Kong’s advantages of connecting with both the Mainland and the world.”

This year’s InnoEX focused on five major technology areas, namely the low-altitude economy, AI, robotics, cybersecurity, and smart mobility, aiming to address pain points for both large and small and medium-sized enterprises and bring new development opportunities for them. Among the technology solutions, the low-altitude economy was particularly popular, attracting the attention of many buyers.

InnoEX brought together the latest innovative R&D and solutions from around the world. The Smart Hong Kong Pavilion, set up by the Digital Policy Office, had over a hundred I&T achievements closely related to the lives of citizens, including I&T solutions from 20 government bureaux and departments, and award-winning solutions from multiple I&T competitions.

In addition, there were multiple local pavilions, 17 pavilions from 16 provinces and municipalities in the Mainland, and overseas pavilions, including from Canada and the United Kingdom, the French ‘So French So Innovative’ pavilion, and the Smart Cities Council from Australia. The fair also attracted tertiary institutions and big companies which participated as independent exhibitors, including China Mobile Hong Kong, Huawei, IBM, and more. The exhibitors showcased their technological solutions in different fields and successfully attracted many buyers to discuss cooperation.

Exhibitors expand into new markets while buyers actively source
Zeng Quanhong, Manager of Marketing Department, Vertaxi, stated that the company showcased its electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft at InnoEX, establishing relationships with some 30 potential buyers from ASEAN, Canada, Europe, India, UAE, and Hong Kong. “InnoEX is a quality platform with high foot traffic which has broadened our horizons. For example, after communicating with buyers from Thailand, we learned that the aircraft could be applied to local tourism services in Thailand, helping us explore new markets. Our participation this year was very successful, and we will definitely return next year.”

Australian buyer Spacious Property Development Group (Spacious) looked for technologies that can help reduce hotel operating costs at InnoEX, and was particularly interested in automated delivery robots, cleaning robots, and vending machines offered by exhibitors from Mainland China and Hong Kong respectively. Angela Liang, Managing Director of Spacious, said, “InnoEX provided us with an excellent opportunity to introduce innovative technologies to the Australian market, especially now that the United States has increased tariffs, prompting suppliers around the world to actively explore other new markets.”

In addition, some exhibitors successfully established important partnerships through InnoEX. Among them, Philippine buyer Digital Pilipinas and International Digital Economies Association signed a distribution agreement with the United Kingdom’s exhibitor Unifi.id to introduce Unifi.id’s smart card system for buildings to the Philippines, with hopes of expanding into other emerging markets in the future. Xi’an Meinan Biotechnology Co. Ltd also signed a strategic cooperation agreement with H & Y Building Decoration Electrical Engineering (HK). The partnership aims to enhance the quality of construction projects in Hong Kong and internationally by utilising Meinan’s waterproof mortar technology, promoting sustainable development.

The Spring Electronics Fair showcased a variety of products, focusing on products and solutions in the fields of smart home, health tech and wearable devices and the exhibition attracted buyers from around the world and helped exhibitors expand into new markets. Many companies launched new products at the Electronics Fair, including Guangzhou’s Havit Technology, which introduced a hat with headphone functionality utilising air conduction technology and a patented design. Qingdao’s Thunderobot Technology, a subsidiary of Haier Group, made its debut in Asia outside of Mainland China with its smart glasses.

At the fair, Shenzhen Antop Technology Co. from Mainland China, showcased air purifiers designed for households with pets. The company’s International Business Development Manager, Bojia Yang, said, “In the past, the US market accounted for over 80% of our business. With the increase in US tariffs, we are actively expanding our global operations and exploring new markets, targeting Asia, Europe, and South America. We have made contact with many potential buyers from India and South America at the exhibition, and in the first two days, we received about 50 potential leads, with at least one third showing significant collaboration potential.” The company is also discussing a contract for an order valued at approximately USD2.5 million.

Additionally, Hong Kong medical technology exhibitor CYBERMED, is currently discussing business deals with two buyers from Mainland China and the Middle East, with each order valued at approximately USD200,000.

American buyer DeWalt Mobile Solutions, which produces and sells mobile phone accessories, sourced products at Spring Electronics Fair. Its Director of International Operation, Danny Lo, said, “We are a leading brand in the US and plan to purchase products worth USD500,000 to USD1 million at the electronics fair. Face-to-face communication with suppliers during this crucial sourcing time and discuss business in response to the tariff situations with them was especially important for us.”

Four thematic days to explore the latest industry developments, with industry leaders sharing their insights
During InnoEX and Spring Electronics Fair, several conferences and seminars focused on hot technology topics were held, including the Tech-Driven Industry and Economy Conference, powered by the HKSAR Government’s Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises, which brought together government officials from various countries and regions to discuss how policy measures can promote industrial development. Participants also shared successful policy measures and emerging trends in various countries.

Talent is crucial to promoting the development of the I&T ecosystem and, this year, InnoEX and the Spring Electronics Fair jointly hosted “Exhibitors Meet Talents” to assist exhibitors in recruiting professionals and attract people who were interested in exploring job opportunities and engage with employers in the I&T industry.

Half of respondents intend to expand into emerging markets
To further understand the development trends of the I&T and electronics industries, HKTDC appointed an independent survey agency to interview 315 InnoEX and 642 Spring Electronics Fair exhibitors and buyers during the exhibitions. The key results are as follows:

InnoEX and Spring Electronics Fair
– 50.7% of respondents from InnoEX and Spring Electronics Fair expressed their intention to expand into emerging markets, including ASEAN countries, Mainland China and the Middle East.

InnoEX
– 33% of respondents believe that the greatest strength of Hong Kong’s innovation and technology sector is its unique position as an intermediary between the world and Mainland China. This s followed by having a highly skilled and multicultural talent pool (25.1%) and a robust and efficient financial market (24.6%).
– 68.8% of surveyed Hong Kong exhibitors believe that FinTech is the strongest and most advantageous field of I&T in Hong Kong, followed by Smart Cities (18.2%).

Spring Electronics Fair
– 40% of respondents expect their companies’ overall sales to increase in the next one to two years. Additionally, 50.5% expect to maintain the current overall sales figures, while less than 10% anticipate a decline.
– Nearly 30% of respondents believe that compared to traditional electronic products and household appliances, consumers are willing to pay a premium of 21% to 30% more for products that are compatible with smart home or AI applications.

In addition, the 2nd Hong Kong World Youth Science Conference brought together top experts, including Nobel Prize winning scholars, to discuss various innovation and science fields. The World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit, held in Hong Kong for the first time, also attracted nearly a thousand participants from all over the world to discuss the latest trends in areas such as AI, digital finance, digital government and smart living, creating synergies with BIT Week events.

Photo download: https://bit.ly/3YA7Y75

Websites
InnoEX: innoex.hktdc.com/en
Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition): hkelectronicsfairse.hktdc.com/en

Media enquiries

Yuan Tung Financial Relations:

Salina Cheng	Tel: (852) 3428 2362	Email: salcheng@yuantung.com.hk
Hing-fung Wong	Tel: (852) 3428 3122	Email: hfwong@yuantung.com.hk

HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:

Sharon Ha	Tel: (852) 2584 4575	Email: sharon.mt.ha@hktdc.org
Johnny Tsui	Tel: (852) 2584 4395	Email: johnny.cy.tsui@hktdc.org
Clayton Lau	Tel: (852) 2584 4472	Email: clayton.y.lauw@hktdc.org

Standard Chartered GBA Business Confidence Survey shows calm before tariff storm in Q1

The latest Standard Chartered GBA Business Confidence Index (GBAI) jointly published by Standard Chartered and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) today indicated broad-based improvement in business sentiment in the region for the first quarter of 2025.

The GBAI “current performance” index for business activity rose to 53.5 in Q1 from 50.7 prior – the highest since Q2-2024. Six of the eight index components rose quarter-on-quarter, and all previous sub-50 underperformers rallied back above the neutral mark, namely “capacity utilisation” (+3.2pts), “raw material inventory” (+9.0pts), “financing scale” (+3.2pts) and “profits” (+3.1pts).

The GBAI “expectations” index for business activity improved in tandem with its “current performance” counterpart, to 54.3 in Q1 from 52.9 in Q4-2024. Encouragingly, seven of eight expectation sub-indices rose quarter-on-quarter, led by a 3.1 percentage point increase in “profits” and a 2.8 percentage point increase in “raw material inventory”.

All the city sub-indices, be it “current performance” or “expectations”, rose quarter-on-quarter, with Shenzhen being the only exception. Hong Kong extended its rising “current performance” streak to four straight quarters, to 53.5; its “expectations” index jumped to 56.9 – bested only by Guangzhou – from 50.8 prior. Guangzhou’s current and expectation prints stood at 60.3 and 58.0, respectively, the highest among cities.

This showed that GBA companies weathered the initial rounds of US tariff hikes (10%+10%) well, in part thanks to the DeepSeek breakthrough lifting market sentiment as well as the rising prospect of more policy stimulus from China’s policymakers. However, respondents’ more-upbeat outlook in February-March (when the Q1 survey was conducted) likely did not prepare them for recent events – US’ announcement of sweeping and sizeable reciprocal tariff hikes on China and most other countries.

Kelvin Lau, Senior Economist, Greater China and North Asia, Standard Chartered, said: “Given the urgency to stabilise market sentiment following the tariff-induced sell-off, the likelihood of China cutting the reserve requirement ratio and/or policy rate (7-day reverse repo rate) in April has materially increased. We expect that both monetary and fiscal policies on the Mainland will stay supportive. Meanwhile, Hong Kong would need to ramp up short-term support to SMEs and continue to diversify its trade to facilitate more non-US trade corridors. Our next survey, to be conducted in May-June, should provide a better view of the readiness of GBA businesses to live with high tariffs.”

More consumption boosts welcomed
Looking ahead, 41% of respondents saw a positive impact from the consumption boosting initiatives announced by China in January. Meanwhile, 38% said the consumer goods trade-in programme would bring positive impact on their business. When asked what else the government could do to expand the consumption-supportive measures, the most popular suggestion was “relax market access for private sector and foreign investment to help boost services consumption”.

Wing Chu, Principal Economist (Greater China Research Team), HKTDC, said: “Boosting domestic demand is one of the government’s top priorities, as highlighted in the Government Work Report delivered by Chinese Premier Li Qiang in March. More than 50% of respondents have indicated that they are either already well positioned to tap into the mainland consumer market or are currently expanding or planning to expand their operations to do so. Additional supportive measures from the government could further bolster their businesses.”

About the GBAI
The GBAI is the first forward-looking quarterly survey in the market that looks at the business sentiment and synergistic effects in cities and industries across the GBA. It is compiled based on a survey of more than 1,000 companies in the GBA covering the manufacturing and trading, retail and wholesale, financial services, professional services and innovation and technology sectors. The index enables investors and businesses to better understand the current business climate, gauge future performance prospects and formulate their market strategies for the GBA.

Related materials
Standard Chartered GBA Business Confidence Index Report: https://www.sc.com/hk/gba/gba-index-report/
HKTDC Research: https://research.hktdc.com/en/article/MTk4MDY0MTYwOQ

Media enquiries

Corporate Affairs DepartmentStandard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited
Flora Chiu
Tel: (852) 3843 2285
Email: flora.chiu@sc.com

Communications & Public Affairs DepartmentHKTDC
Katy Wong	Clayton Lauw
Tel: (852) 2584 4524	Tel: (852) 2584 4472
Email: katy.ky.wong@hktdc.org	Email: clayton.y.lauw@hktdc.org

About Standard Chartered

We are a leading international banking group, with a presence in 53 of the world’s most dynamic markets. Our purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, and our heritage and values are expressed in our brand promise, here for good.

Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong stock exchanges.

The history of Standard Chartered in Hong Kong dates back to 1859. It is currently one of the Hong Kong SAR’s three note-issuing banks. Standard Chartered incorporated its Hong Kong business on 1 July 2004, and now operates as a licensed bank in Hong Kong under the name of Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Standard Chartered PLC.

For more stories and expert opinions please visit Insights at sc.com. Follow Standard Chartered on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

The 3rd InnoEX officially kicked off today with the low-altitude economy taking centre stage

– Electronics Fair runs concurrently showcasing cutting-edge products and solutions

– The 3rd InnoEX, themed “Innovate-Automate-Elevate”, opens today and runs for four days
– The exhibition focuses on low-altitude economy, smart mobility, AI, robotics and cybersecurity, showcasing intelligent solutions to address industry pain points and unlock new business opportunities
– The Smart Hong Kong Pavilion, established by the Digital Policy Office, features over 100 innovative projects
– The 21st Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition), held alongside InnoEX, spotlights smart home, health tech and wearable devices

The 3rd InnoEX, co-organised by the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau of the HKSAR Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), opened today (13 to 16 April) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and held concurrently with the 21st Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition) (EFSE). The two exhibitions feature more than 2,800 exhibitors from 29 countries and showcase intelligent solutions to address industry pain points and unlock new business opportunities. Professionals from the innovation and technology sector, investors, trade buyers and end users from various industries including SMEs are invited to visit and source.

InnoEX and the EFSE are the highlight events of the Business of Innovation and Technology Week (BIT Week). During the opening ceremony of BIT Week, Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government, gave opening remarks while Margaret Fong, HKTDC Executive Director, gave a welcome speech. Margaret Fong said, “BIT Week is more than just a series of events, but a testament to Hong Kong’s role as an international innovation and technology (I&T) hub. Hong Kong’s strategic location, world-class infrastructure, and business-friendly environment make it an ideal destination for cutting-edge research, investment, and entrepreneurship.

Margaret Fong also mentioned that this year’s InnoEX has over 500 exhibitors from 17 countries and regions, representing a diverse lineup of world-class innovators, R&D centres, and technology pioneers. Japan, Thailand and the UK have expanded their participation, and welcomes first-time participation from Australia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Sweden and the UAE, enhancing the international stature of the fair. Alongside InnoEX is the EFSE which is showcasing the latest in consumer electronics to international buyers.

InnoEX spotlights Mainland China low-altitude economy solutions and robotics
InnoEX and the EFSE bring together pavilions and exhibitors from Hong Kong, Mainland China, Macao and other regions across Asia—including ASEAN members, as well as the Middle East, Europe, the Americas, Africa and Oceania.

InnoEX focuses on the most popular and anticipated technology fields in the market, covering areas such as the low-altitude economy, smart mobility, AI, robotics, and cybersecurity, showcasing various smart solutions.

Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government and Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government visited exhibitors at InnoEX and showed their support. Professor Sun Dong also hosted the InnoEX welcome dinner last night, attended by exhibitors, buyers and industry representatives.

As Hong Kong is actively developing the low-altitude economy, InnoEX brings several rapidly developing drone and aerial car companies to showcase their solutions. Among them is Shanghai-based Vertaxi (Booth: 3B-B02A), whose drones have supported flood relief operations in Mainland China. Sichuan-based Aerofugia (Booth: 3B-B03) also introduces its electric aerial car in InnoEX.

In terms of smart mobility, Hong Kong’s Novautek Autonomous Driving Limited (Booth 3E-B11) presents an unmanned vehicle capable of delivering food and parcels, even in adverse weather and on steep slopes.

The use of artificial intelligence has become widespread and across various industry sectors. Cyberport has brought TradeMonday (Booth 3D-A01) to demonstrate a data analytics platform for the retail sector, helping SMEs gather competitors’ intelligence and refine market strategies.

Demonstrating the rapid advancement of robotics, Guangdong pavilion’s High Torque (Booth: 3E-B01) unveiled a 10kg humanoid robot that can walk, jump and overcome obstacles. Universities use this robot for hands-on programming training, helping students develop coding skills.

As Cybersecurity is becoming increasingly important, Hong Kong exhibitor Tradelink Electronic Commerce Limited (Booth: 3E-B09) offers a deepfake-detection solution capable of exposing face-swap and voice-mimicry scams with 98% accuracy.

The Smart Hong Kong Pavilion, set up by the Digital Policy Office, focuses on data-driven and AI applications, featuring over 100 projects that impact daily life. Highlights include solutions from 20 government bureaux and departments and award-winning entries from innovation competitions. Among them is the Architectural Services Department’s “Wall Climbing Robot”, which navigates rough and glass surfaces to conduct facade inspections safely and accurately, eliminating the personnel risks associated with high-altitude work.

Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) has 16 park companies at the HKSTP pavilion across three industry fields, namely AI & Data, Digital Transformation, and Micro-Electronics & Sustainable Technology. Highlighted innovations include Green Vigor’s patented Hydro Power Intelli-Recycle, which recycles unused energy from water supply systems in buildings and converts it into renewable energy. Additionally, there are eight HKSTP park companies joining EFSE.

InnoEX features four themed days, each with forums and seminars on hot technology topics. The theme day today (13 April) is on the low-altitude economy and technology-driven economy. The Tech-Driven Industry and Economy Conference, presented by the HKSAR Government’s Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises, centred on the theme “Empowering Industry for a Connected Global Economy”, and Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government, gave the opening speech. The conference invited government officials and industry experts to discuss how policies help foster industrial development, drive innovation and support sustainable growth, and share successful global practices and emerging trends.

The other themed days of InnoEX include AI and Robotics Technology (14 April) and Cybersecurity (15 April) while the last day (16 April) will focus on Solutions for SMEs, with government departments and several technology solution providers introducing government support programs and innovative solutions to assist SMEs in their development.

EFSE brings cutting-edge products
Running alongside InnoEX, the 21st EFSE continues under the theme “World’s Leading Electronics Marketplace”, with a focus on smart home, health tech and wearable devices.

In the smart home sector, local exhibitor Tuya (Booth: 1B-F02) has partnered with major appliance brands to enable seamless interconnectivity across smart home ecosystems, allowing users to control appliances from different brands via a single app.

In the field of health tech and wearable devices, Mainland China exhibitor Shenzhen Minew Technologies (Booth: 5E-E20) will showcase an electronic bedside tag for hospitals that displays patient conditions and medication schedules, with data updated centrally to reduce manpower needs and minimise errors.

Returning this year, the Digital Entertainment Experiential Zone offers e-sports and interactive gaming experiences—including boxing, rowing and sailing simulations—for participants and buyers.

The key event of EFSE, the Tech Trends Symposium, will take place tomorrow under the theme of “AI on the Go: A New Era of Intelligent Wearable Electronics“. The symposium will feature industry leaders sharing how smart glasses, rings and other wearables integrate AI to reshape work and life.

BIT Week brings exciting events
InnoEX and the EFSE are the core events of BIT Week, driven by the HKSAR Government’s Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau and the HKTDC. Other highlights of BIT Week include the recently concluded Smart Lighting Expo and Hong Kong Web3 Festival, as well as the 2nd Hong Kong World Youth Science Conference, which also opened today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The conference brings together top experts—including Nobel Prize winning scholars—to discuss frontier topics across innovation and science.

Additionally, the World Internet Conference designated Hong Kong for the first time to host the Asia-Pacific Summit, which begins tomorrow at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The two-day event is expected to attract over 1,000 participants from around the world to explore the latest trends in AI, digital finance, digital government and smart living, creating synergies with other BIT Week events.

Photo download: https://bit.ly/4jcP3Yk

Websites
InnoEX: innoex.hktdc.com/en
Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition): hkelectronicsfairse.hktdc.com/en

Media enquiries
Yuan Tung Financial Relations:

Salina Cheng	Tel: (852) 3428 2362	Email: salcheng@yuantung.com.hk
Hing-fung Wong	Tel: (852) 3428 3122	Email: hfwong@yuantung.com.hk

HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:

Sharon Ha	Tel: (852) 2584 4575	Email: sharon.mt.ha@hktdc.org
Johnny Tsui	Tel: (852) 2584 4395	Email: johnny.cy.tsui@hktdc.org
Clayton Lauw	Tel: (852) 2584 4472	Email: clayton.y.lauw@hktdc.org

Hong Kong delegation concludes IRES mission in Bangkok

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) organised a delegation to Bangkok from 10 to 13 March to promote Hong Kong’s infrastructure development and real estate-related services (IRES) and help Hong Kong IRES companies explore arising business opportunities in Thailand.

Thailand’s infrastructure and real estate development landscape has undergone rapid transformation in recent years, fuelled by substantial government investments in transportation, urban development, and sustainable projects. Key initiatives, such as the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) and the expansion of public transportation networks, offer significant growth opportunities in the IRES sector.

The delegation, co-led by Mr Stephen Liang, HKTDC Assistant Executive Director, and Ir Dr Hon Lo Wai-kwok, GBS, MH, JP, Member (Functional Constituency – Engineering) of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, comprised 21 delegates from a wide range of IRES related sectors, including architecture, consulting, construction financing, engineering, infrastructure and property development, as well as smart cities solutions and PropTech.

Through meetings with government bodies, industry associations and major developers, such as Amata Corporation, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, BTS Group, Frasers Property (Thailand) Public Company, Siamese Asset Public Company, Thai-Hong Kong Trade Association, Thai Railway Engineering Association, and The Eastern Economic Corridor Office of Thailand (EECO), the mission provided opportunities for Hong Kong delegates to explore partnerships with Thai local firms.

“Similar to Hong Kong, infrastructure development is a key priority in Thailand’s growth plans. With its mega projects, including the Eastern Economic Corridor and other large-scale investments in road, rail, aviation and shipping, there are many opportunities for collaboration,” Mr Stephen Liang said during the visit. “Complementing its know-how in IRES, Hong Kong is also a connected international financial hub with decades of experience helping international investors and project owners raise capital and seize arising opportunities.”

He added: “Hong Kong is uniquely positioned to facilitate tripartite cooperation among project owners, service providers and investors, thanks to its role as a superconnector linking Mainland China and the rest of the world, thus amplifying vital business and people-to-people exchange.”

A highlight of the mission was the networking luncheon hosted by the HKTDC, at which attendees learned about Hong Kong IRES’s strengths and value-added services, and explored opportunities for collaboration between Thailand and Hong Kong in infrastructure development projects.

A business matching session followed, in which Hong Kong delegates held one-on-one meetings with Thai companies to explore opportunities and exchange ideas in various areas, including Thailand’s public transport networks, sustainable urban development, smart city initiatives and infrastructure financing.

Hong Kong is recognised globally as a major financial hub. With many world-class architectural, building, surveying, engineering, and consultancy services companies offering extensive expertise and a deep pool of international talent across various areas, Hong Kong is an ideal place for Thai companies to accelerate and achieve their development plans.

The delegation also conducted site visits to two new major infrastructure developments – Thailand Digital Valley and One Bangkok. As an initiative under the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA), the Thailand Digital Valley is a hub for companies and start-ups developing advanced technologies and digital innovations for application in smart cities. One Bangkok is a fully integrated urban district, ideally located in central Bangkok, that blends retail, commercial, office, leisure and living facilities.

The HKTDC regularly organises business delegations across various types and industries. In recent years, it has frequently organised delegations in the IRES sector to visit different cities in Mainland China, as well as Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Jakarta, Indonesia. The HKTDC will continue organising promotions to highlight Hong Kong’s IRES strengths.

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Media enquiries

HKTDC’s Communication & Public Affairs Department:

Johnny Tsui

Tel: (852) 2584 4395

Email: johnny.cy.tsui@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 over 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.

Entertainment Expo makes grand return

– Spectacular events lead industry innovation and opportunities

This year’s Entertainment Expo Hong Kong 2025 makes a grand return and is set to be the biggest yet injecting fresh vitality into Hong Kong’s entertainment sector and heralding in a new vision. Taking place from 16 March to 27 April, this year’s Expo encompasses nine signature events, fostering cross-regional collaboration and digital transformation opportunities, further cementing Hong Kong’s position as Asia’s entertainment hub.

Entertainment Expo 2025 is organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) with sponsorship from the HKSAR’s Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA), Film Development Fund, and the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and is part of Arts March Hong Kong. The launch ceremony will take place on 17 March at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), with Leon Lai continuing in his role as Hong Kong Entertainment Ambassador and carrying forward his mission of promoting Hong Kong’s film and entertainment culture.

A new addition to this year’s line-up, the Hong Kong Film Music Fiesta joins forces with established events including the Hong Kong International Film and TV Market, EntertainmentPulse, Hong Kong International Film Festival, Hong Kong Film Awards, Asian Film Awards, Digital Entertainment Summit, Hong Kong – Asia Film Financing Forum, and the Microfilm Production Support Scheme (Music), presenting captivating entertainment content

Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART)
The 29th FILMART, Asia’s leading entertainment content marketplace organised by the HKTDC, will run from 17 to 20 March at the HKCEC and brings together more than 750 exhibitors from over 30 countries and regions, and features more than 30 regional pavilions. This year, Australia, Cambodia, France, India, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam will host new pavilions while emerging markets including Czech Republic and Kazakhstan, join for the first time, further enhancing the event’s cultural diversity.

FILMART introduces several groundbreaking initiatives this year, headlined by Producers Connect – a collaborative effort between the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, CCIDA, Hong Kong Film Development Council, and the HKTDC, funded by Film Development Fund. This focused programme features a series of events including a panel discussion, fireside chats, workshops and business matching activities, forging valuable networks for emerging and renowned producers from Hong Kong and around the world, to steer more co-productions, while supporting up-and-coming talents.

In response to the global digital transformation sweeping across the film and TV production world, the HKTDC will launch the AI Hub pilot programme in collaboration with the Association of Motion Picture Post Production Professionals and the Movie Producers and Distributors Association of Hong Kong. Comprising an exhibition zone, conference panel and forums, AI Hub promotes AI usage across the filmmaking process, with the exhibition zone spotlighting AI solutions from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) School of Film and Television, Lenovo and Sony, and more. Distinguished industry leaders and AI pioneers will also gather at the conference and forums to share their knowledge and expertise in harnessing AI’s game-changing potential.

While the physical exhibition spans four days, the FILMART Online IP Catalogue will operate from now until 27 April, helping exhibitors and buyers to continue their discussion for project collaborations before and after the fair.

EntertainmentPulse
The four-day conference, EntertainmentPulse assembles global entertainment industry leaders to discuss the outlook and development of the Asian markets. Key topics include Asian animations, ASEAN market and video streaming. While the world recognized producers will take a deep dive into risk management in cross-border co-productions on the second day, the panel of “Gearing Up for the AI Opportunities” is the highlight for day two, featuring Yu Zhixin, producer of Ne Zha 2 from Hong Li Animation Studios, who will share insights on leveraging AI to achieve international acclaim.

Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF)
From 10 to 21 April, the 49th HKIFF presents the theme “Dialogue – Conversation of Film” with acclaimed actress Angela Yuen serving as festival ambassador. Celebrated screen icon Louis Koo takes centre stage as Filmmaker in Focus, with a curated retrospective of ten seminal works highlighting his enduring impact on Hong Kong cinema.

A distinguished highlight features Catalonian virtuoso Albert Serra‘s masterclass, where the contemporary auteur will present his latest documentary Afternoons of Solitude and share insights into his signature long-take aesthetic. The highly acclaimed Finnish director Juho Kuosmanen will also be featured, presenting his latest film, Silent Trilogy, while sharing his film philosophy and artistic vision with the audience in Hong Kong. Additionally, more highlighted filmmakers from France, Switzerland, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and Taiwan are set to come, offering a variety of exciting programs.

Hong Kong Film Awards (HKFA)
The 43rd Hong Kong Film Awards ceremony will take place at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre on 27 April. This year’s awards demonstrate unprecedented industry solidarity, with first-round voting participation reaching a three-year high of 64.84%. Reflecting the industry’s continuing professional development, the HKFA Association has grown from 14 to 17 member organisations, including the Hong Kong Film Assistant Directors’ Association, Hong Kong Association for Pictures and Sound Production, and Hong Kong Visual Effects Association.

This year’s nominations showcase Hong Kong cinema’s diverse creative prowess The Last Dance, Hong Kong’s highest-grossing Chinese-language film to date, leads with 18 nominations, followed closely by Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In with 14 nominations.

Asian Film Awards (AFA)
The 18th Asian Film Awards will take place at the Xiqu Centre on 16 March and feature 30 outstanding films from 25 countries and regions competing across 16 categories and legendary international action star and director Sammo Hung chairs this year’s jury. Korean film Exhuma dominates with 11 nominations, including Best Film and Best Director followed by Hong Kong’s action epic Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In follows with nine nominations. Japanese director Daihachi Yoshida’s black-and-white film Teki Cometh and Indian director Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine as Light each received six nominations. Hong Kong films Papa and The Last Dance garnered three nominations each, with Sean Lau and Michael Hui competing for Best Actor, Maggie Li Lin Lin received her first Best Supporting Actress nomination for All Shall Be Well.

In February, Japanese all-round artist Koki, was as the recipient of this year’s special Rising Star Award and will personally accept the honour in Hong Kong.

Digital Entertainment Summit
The 14th Digital Entertainment Summit, themed “Unlock Opportunities of the Dynamic Animation Market and Productions in Asia”, organised by Hong Kong Trade Development Council, co-organised by Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association and Hong Kong International Film Festival Society, will convene at the FILMART on 19 March and brings together Asia’s foremost animation visionaries and industry leaders. In an era where AI and breakthrough technologies are revolutionising creative expression, distinguished industry pioneers from across the region will explore the integration of advanced technologies to elevate production capabilities and examine Asian animation’s strategic positioning in the global marketplace.

Hong Kong – Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF)
Since becoming an integral part of the HKIFF Industry Project Market last year, HAF has expanded significantly. This year’s edition received nearly 400 submissions from 45 countries and regions, including Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Korea, Thailand, and Turkey, with 48 projects selected. The prestigious lineup includes projects produced by Hirokazu Kore-eda, Stanley Kwan, Lee Sinje, with a cast of veteran actors and rising stars from Lee Kang-Sheng to Kadowaki Mugi, Fan Bingbing, Jennifer Yu, Jack Tan, and Qu Chuxiao and spans action, sci-fi, fantasy, suspense, horror, and disaster genres. A new independent section dedicated to animated feature films at various production stages is a new addition and is designed to foster animation development across Asia. The three-day forum will run concurrently with FILMART from 17-19 March at the HKCEC, will facilitate business matching and networking opportunities to drive Asian film industry development.

Hong Kong Film Music Fiesta
The annual Hong Kong Film Music Fiesta organised by the Hong Kong Film Composers’ Association, promoting Hong Kong’s film music to the global industry and public appreciation through the live performance. Themed “Echoes of Order and Chaos” and staged at the HKCEC on 18 March, the concert will be led by music directors Tomy Wai and Julian Chan, reinterpreting the dynamics of Hong Kong’s crime films, paying tribute to distinguished filmmakers and composers including Benny Chan, Teddy Robin, and Kawai Kenji, and showcasing the unique charm of Hong Kong film music.

Microfilm Production Support Scheme (Music)
The 12th Microfilm Production Support Scheme (Music) Awards Ceremony will take place on 20 March at Theatre 2, HKCEC. The initiative empowers 22 emerging teams and 10 established production houses with grants ranging from HK$130,000 to HK$240,000. Participating filmmakers benefit from comprehensive mentorship in screenwriting, directing, and other facets of production. The scheme recognises excellence through accolades including the prestigious “Best Microfilm Production” award, with distinguished works gaining potential nominations for international festivals, further elevating Hong Kong’s creative talents on the global stage.

Entertainment Expo website: http://www.eexpohk.com

Photo Download: https://bit.ly/41QFgAO

HKTDC Media Room: https://mediaroom.hktdc.com/en

Hong Kong products highly rated by ASEAN e-shoppers

– Singaporean, Thai and Malaysian consumers spend the most

Hong Kong businesses are well placed to make good on the government’s budget commitment to step up e-commerce trade with the ASEAN bloc, according to new research from the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). In particular, the findings show that the extension of the E-Commerce Easy initiative may be of huge benefit to Hong Kong’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Titled ASEAN eCommerce opportunities: Insights on Consumer Behaviours and Positioning of Hong Kong Products, the research shows that Hong Kong brands and products are already particularly valued in six key ASEAN markets – Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam – with every indication that this positive perception will lead to significant growth in future trade.

Previewed today, the full report will be released on 19 March during a dedicated session at this year’s HKTDC MarketingPulse and eTailingPulse events at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

HK electronic, fashion, cosmetic products popular in ASEAN
Among the key findings of the research is the high level of popularity Hong Kong brands and products enjoy among ASEAN-6 e-consumers. In fact, some 70% of online shoppers within the six-nation grouping indicated they had bought at least one Hong Kong-sourced product within the past 12 months.

This preference was particularly pronounced among younger consumers, with the 18-29-year-old demographic indicating the highest regard for goods of Hong Kong origin.

In terms of the factors behind the appeal of Hong Kong brands and products for ASEAN consumers, the research identified three primary reasons. Firstly – and most compellingly – some 35% of respondents perceived Hong Kong-sourced goods as less costly and better value for money than those from other sources.

Secondly, a significant proportion of respondents (33%) stated that they particularly valued Hong Kong-sourced items for the way they seamlessly and successfully blended Asian and Western elements. A further 32% indicated that the stylish nature of the online inventory of Hong Kong-sourced items was the attribute they valued most highly.

In terms of Hong Kong e-commerce categories with the highest level of appeal for ASEAN-6 purchasers, consumer electronic items topped the list, winning favour with 70% of respondents. Taking the number-two spot was Hong Kong-sourced fashion items (38%), while coming a close third was the city’s online range of cosmetic/personal care products (34%).

Singaporean, Thai and Malaysian e-shoppers spend the most
The survey also found e-shoppers from Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia spent the most per purchase on Hong Kong goods. Take Hong Kong-sourced consumer electronics as an example, Singapore e-shoppers on average spent US$371 per purchase, followed by those in Thailand (US$276).

In terms of individual ASEAN markets, it was Thailand that showed the greatest partiality to Hong Kong e-commerce items, with 81% of the relevant survey respondents having purchased such an item within the past 12 months.

In second place was Indonesia, with 73% of respondents having ordered a Hong Kong item online within the last year. Slightly below this, in third place, was the Philippines, with 69% of the country’s respondents having made a related purchase over the past 12 months.

In terms of age demographics, respondents aged 30-49 had the highest average spending per purchase.

Separately, an average of 76% of those 18-29 year-olds across all ASEAN-6 markets had purchased a Hong Kong-sourced item online within the past 12 months. Among the 30-49 segment, the corresponding figure fell marginally to 72%, before falling further – to 52% – for online shoppers aged 50 or above. Reassuringly, even in this older category, a slender majority still manifested a preference for buying from the city via an online channel.

Commenting on the significance of the survey, Irina Fan, Director of HKTDC Research, said: “It’s encouraging that the first study of its kind should show just how willing ASEAN consumers are to purchase Hong Kong brands and products via a variety of online channels. In line with our findings, Hong Kong SMEs should particularly bear in mind the high regard consumers in Thailand and Indonesia have for Hong Kong-sourced products.”

Ms Fan added: “In terms of product categories, it’s clearly particularly good news for Hong Kong companies in the consumer electronics sector, an area that has long been one of the city’s key strengths.”

Full report revealed at eTailingPulse
The HKTDC is organising the MarketingPulse and eTailingPulse conferences at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre next Wednesday, 19 March. The full ASEAN e-Commerce opportunities: Insights on Consumer Behaviours and Positioning of Hong Kong Products report will be unveiled at an eTailingPulse panel discussion, where business leaders will share insights from their successful experiences in the ASEAN e-commerce market.

The panel is among nearly 30 sessions at the two Pulse events, which bring together more than 65 global elites from diverse industry sectors, including influential marketing experts, economists, retail giants, brand strategists, advertising and PR professionals and e-commerce leaders.

Themed Inspiring Possibilities, the events aim to turn visionary ideas into actionable strategies and spark cross-disciplinary collaboration. This year’s event will spotlight six key marketing topics: leveraging data and artificial intelligence (AI) to drive innovative marketing strategies; integrating art, music and culture into brand marketing to explore new frontiers; embracing neurodiversity to foster more inclusive marketing perspectives; opportunities in the ASEAN and halal markets; addressing the challenges and possibilities of global industry transformation in light of the rising trend of single-person households; and empowering the “she economy” through innovative AI solutions to enhance the market competitiveness of e-commerce platforms.

Attendees will have the opportunity to explore forward-thinking market dynamics, emerging trends, innovative marketing strategies and compelling success stories.

HKTDC support SMEs tapping into e-commerce
The HKTDC has been supporting SMEs to tap into the tremendous business opportunities brought by the rapidly developing e-commerce market. The HKTDC Design Gallery online store will extend to Singapore and Malaysia in 2025/26, followed by Thailand in a subsequent phase. Hong Kong suppliers will be able to sell their products to the ASEAN region through this online channel in the form of cross-border e-commerce. The range of products to be offered in the initial stage includes gifts, housewares, bags, baby/kids’ products and eco-friendly products.

This year, the HKTDC is also launching a year-long programme called E-Commerce Express to address the pain points faced by local SMEs when developing cross-border e-commerce businesses in the mainland. The programme will involve the HKTDC, together with major e-commerce or social media platforms, arranging a series of thematic training seminars and research sharing sessions.

Appendix
– E-commerce Easy: The E-commerce Easy initiative was set up by the Hong Kong SAR Government in July 2024 to help fund local businesses as they seek to serve potential mainland clients via a range of e-commerce channels. In the 2024 Policy Address, the Government announced it would expand the scheme to cover ASEAN-10 markets within 2025, with Hong Kong companies looking to access the bloc via online sales platforms eligible for subsidies of up to HK$1 million.
– Methodology: HKTDC Research conducted an online survey of 1,846 online shoppers in June and July 2024 covering the six ASEAN-6 markets of Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Singapore. There were roughly 300 respondents from each country. Typically, respondents were aged 18 to 60, resided within selected major metropolitan areas, made online purchases at least once a month, and were mid- to high-annual income earners.

References
HKTDC Research website: https://research.hktdc.com/en/

Photo download: https://bit.ly/41zMoAf

Media enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC’s Communication and Public Affairs Department:

Jane Cheung	Tel: (852) 2584 4137	Email: jane.mh.cheung@hktdc.org
Katy Wong	Tel: (852) 2584 4524	Email: katy.ky.wong@hktdc.org