Press Releases

As the autumn trade fair season draws to a close, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) has revealed that more than 9,600 exhibitors and nearly 156,000 buyers from 165 countries and regions attended the seven fairs it organised in October and November. Among specific markets, there was an increase in the number of buyers coming from Turkey, Brazil, Iran, Vietnam and Macao. <br /><br />The seven fairs were the HKTDC Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Autumn Edition), electronicAsia, jointly organised with MMI Asia Pte Ltd, the HKTDC Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition), the HKTDC Hong Kong International Optical Fair and the HKTDC Hong Kong International Wine &amp; Spirits Fair, all held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), and the HKTDC Hong Kong International Outdoor and Tech Light Expo and Eco Expo Asia, jointly organised with Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, held at AsiaWorld-Expo.<br /><br />The seven HKTDC autumn fairs welcomed more than 7,300 exhibitors and attracted nearly 95,000 buyers from Mainland China and overseas. This influx of visitors to Hong Kong generated ample business opportunities for the city’s tourism, catering and service sectors. According to Hong Kong Tourism Board statistics, the per capita spending of overnight MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) visitors averages HK$8,218. Based on this figure, it is estimated that the seven fairs generated close to HK$900 million in income for Hong Kong’s tourism and exhibition-related industries.<br /><br /><strong>Buyers and exhibitors view Hong Kong as important trading platform</strong><br />Benjamin Chau, HKTDC Deputy Executive Director, said: “Despite the internal and external challenges that Hong Kong has been facing, all seven HKTDC fairs and associated events ran without a hitch. Surveys conducted during the fairs found that 97% of responding buyers view the Hong Kong fairs as one of the most popular channels to find new suppliers, while 96% of responding exhibitors consider the Hong Kong fairs to be the most effective in helping them reach new buyers. More than half (56%) of responding exhibitors chose to launch their new products at the Hong Kong fairs, reflecting that Hong Kong continues to be an important platform for global trade.”<br /><br />Mr Chau added that, during the seven fairs, the HKTDC viewed the safety of exhibitors and buyers as its top priority amid the ongoing social issues in Hong Kong. Various measures were implemented to strengthen support to visitors and exhibitors, including enhancing transport services and ramping up its business-matching service to enhance buyer-exhibitor connections. “We will continue to provide supportive services in the future to facilitate industry participants from around the world to source and do business in Hong Kong, and to generate more business opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises,” he said.<br /><br />The Buyer Concierge Desks newly set up by the HKTDC at the seven fairs, together with the Council’s regular business-matching services, led to a total of 7,000 meetings being successfully arranged, creating more opportunities to help exhibitors and buyers connect. For more information on the support services offered by the HKTDC during the autumn fairs, please visit <a href="https://bit.ly/2KsrhcH" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://bit.ly/2KsrhcH</a>. <br /><br /><strong>Survey: Global economic fluctuations seen as major business challenge</strong><br />An independent research agency commissioned by the HKTDC interviewed 1,724 exhibitors and buyers during the Autumn Electronics Fair, the Autumn Lighting Fair and the Outdoor and Tech Light Expo. The survey showed that respondents considered fluctuations in the global economy (43%) to be the top business challenge this year, followed by an increase in operating costs (36%) and fluctuating raw material prices (29%), while only 8% of respondents were concerned about the unstable political environment in Hong Kong.<br /><br />As Mainland China and the United States continue to make progress on trade negotiations, respondents expressing pessimism over the likelihood of a resolution dropped from 48% last year to 33% this year. A total of 45% of respondents remained neutral while 23% expressed optimism.<br /><br /><strong>Industry: Middle East, ASEAN seen as most promising emerging markets</strong><br />Western Europe (25%), North America (20%) and Japan (14%) were seen as the traditional markets that respondents from the electronics and lighting industries most hoped to develop. In terms of emerging markets, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries (10%), Mainland China (8%) and the Middle East (6%) were the most favoured. <br /><br />As for market outlook, most respondents viewed Korea (63%), Australia and New Zealand (55%) and Western Europe (53%) to have the best growth prospects among traditional markets, while the Middle East (71%) and ASEAN counties (67%) topped the emerging markets.<br /><br />Many ASEAN buyers adopted a proactive attitude when sourcing, including Vietnamese buyer Dung Minh Nguyen, Director of HDP Vietnam Technology, who visited the Autumn Lighting Fair. “Within a few days, we identified more than a dozen potential suppliers from Hong Kong and Mainland China. We plan to order at least US$50,000 worth of products relating to commercial lighting for hotel projects, outdoor lighting and track lights from each of these new suppliers,” he said.<br /><br /><strong>Demand for smart products continues to grow</strong><br />In terms of product trends, the global demand for smart products continues to gather pace. The Autumn Electronics Fair survey found that 81% of respondents were willing to pay up to an additional 20% for electronics products with smart home applications. Three quarters of industry players (75%) held an optimistic view on the market potential of products incorporating augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies, while 71% saw favourable prospects for robotics. Medical applications (45%) were selected as having the greatest growth potential over the next two years, a significant increase of 21 percentage points compared to last year’s findings. <br /><br />To help industry participants stay abreast of the latest trends, the HKTDC enhanced the innovation and technology elements at all seven fairs. For example, the Autumn Lighting Fair’s Connected Living • Smart Home zone showcased an assortment of smart living concepts, technologies and products; the Optical Fair’s IT Solutions, Shop Fittings &amp; Equipment zone presented innovative eyewear technologies; the Green Transportation zone at Eco Expo Asia featured eco-friendly solutions such as electric vehicles; and the Autumn Electronics Fair debuted the Nanjing 5G Pavilion at the Tech Hall. <br /><br />Meanwhile, the Startup zone at the Autumn Electronics Fair presented an array of exciting new concepts from innovative young companies. One of the exhibitors was OliveX (HK) Limited, which has developed an interactive artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled smart mirror. Keith Rumjahn, the company’s CEO, said: “This is our first time to participate in the Startup zone at the Autumn Electronics Fair. The results have far exceeded our expectations. We have met with two potential distributors from Spain and the United Arab Emirates. The Startup zone provides a cost-effective platform for us to maximise the exposure of our new product and look for potential distributors.”<br /><br />Multiple forums and seminars were organised during the fairs to examine current technological trends and bring participants up to speed on the latest industry developments. These included the Autumn Electronics Fair’s Symposium on Innovation &amp; Technology, the Autumn Lighting Fair’s forum on the theme “Ecosystem of Connected Living”, Eco Expo Asia’s Eco Asia Conference, and the 17th Hong Kong International Optometric Symposium at the Optical Fair.

Industry optimistic about ASEAN and Middle Eastern markets

<div style="overflow: auto;"><p><strong>Summary of survey results:</strong></p><table style="border: 1px solid #d3d3d3; height: 144px; width: 100%;" width="100%"><tbody><tr style="border-bottom: solid 1px #d3d3d3;"><th style="padding: 10px 40px; border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; height: 18px;" colspan="4" align="center"><strong>New markets that industry players have the most desire to enter</strong></th></tr><tr style="background-color: #f2f2f2;"><td style="padding: 10px 40px; border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; height: 36px; text-align: center;" colspan="2" align="center" width="50%"><strong>Traditional markets</strong></td><td style="padding: 10px 40px; border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; height: 36px; text-align: center;" colspan="2" align="center" width="50%"><strong>Emerging markets</strong></td></tr><tr style="height: 36px;"><td style="padding: 10px 40px; border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; height: 36px;" align="left" width="25%"><strong>2019 survey</strong></td><td style="padding: 10px 40px; border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; height: 36px;" width="25%"><strong>2018 survey</strong></td><td style="padding: 10px 40px; border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; height: 36px;" width="25%"><strong>2019 survey</strong></td><td style="padding: 10px 40px; height: 36px;" width="25%"><strong>2018 survey</strong></td></tr><tr style="background-color: #f2f2f2;"><td style="text-align: left; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; height: 18px;" align="center">Western Europe (25%)</td><td style="border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; padding: 10px 40px; height: 18px;">Western Europe (18%)</td><td style="border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; padding: 10px 40px; height: 18px;">ASEAN countries (10%)</td><td style="border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; padding: 10px 40px; height: 18px;">Mainland China (10%)</td></tr><tr style="height: 36px;"><td style="text-align: left; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; height: 36px;" align="center">North America (20%)</td><td style="border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; padding: 10px 40px; height: 36px;">North America (11%)</td><td style="text-align: left; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; height: 36px;" align="center">Mainland China (8%)</td><td style="text-align: left; padding: 10px 40px; height: 36px;" align="center">ASEAN countries (9%)</td></tr><tr style="background-color: #f2f2f2;"><td style="text-align: left; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; height: 18px;" align="center">Japan (14%)</td><td style="border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; padding: 10px 40px; height: 18px;">Japan (7%)</td><td style="border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; padding: 10px 40px; height: 18px;">Middle East (6%)</td><td style="border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; padding: 10px 40px; height: 18px;">India (6%)</td></tr></tbody></table></div>

<div style="overflow: auto;"><table style="border: 1px solid #d3d3d3; height: 144px; width: 100%;" width="100%"><tbody><tr style="border-bottom: solid 1px #d3d3d3;"><th style="padding: 10px 40px; border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; height: 18px;" colspan="4" align="center"><strong>Markets considered to have the best growth potential in the coming two years</strong></th></tr><tr style="background-color: #f2f2f2;"><td style="padding: 10px 40px; border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; height: 36px; text-align: center;" colspan="2" align="center" width="50%"><strong>Traditional markets</strong></td><td style="padding: 10px 40px; border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; height: 36px; text-align: center;" colspan="2" align="center" width="50%"><strong>Emerging markets</strong></td></tr><tr style="height: 36px;"><td style="padding: 10px 40px; border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; height: 36px;" align="left" width="25%"><strong>2019 survey</strong></td><td style="padding: 10px 40px; border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; height: 36px;" width="25%"><strong>2018 survey</strong></td><td style="padding: 10px 40px; border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; height: 36px;" width="25%"><strong>2019 survey</strong></td><td style="padding: 10px 40px; height: 36px;" width="25%"><strong>2018 survey</strong></td></tr><tr style="background-color: #f2f2f2;"><td style="text-align: left; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; height: 18px;" align="center">South Korea (63%)</td><td style="border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; padding: 10px 40px; height: 18px;">Japan (77%)</td><td style="border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; padding: 10px 40px; height: 18px;">Middle East (71%)</td><td style="border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; padding: 10px 40px; height: 18px;">South Africa (79%)</td></tr><tr style="height: 36px;"><td style="text-align: left; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; height: 36px;" align="center">Australia &amp; New Zealand (55%)</td><td style="border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; padding: 10px 40px; height: 36px;">South Korea (75%)</td><td style="text-align: left; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; height: 36px;" align="center">ASEAN countries (67%)</td><td style="text-align: left; padding: 10px 40px; height: 36px;" align="center">Mainland China (76%)</td></tr><tr style="background-color: #f2f2f2;"><td style="text-align: left; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; height: 18px;" align="center">Western Europe (53%)</td><td style="border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; padding: 10px 40px; height: 18px;">Western Europe/Taiwan/Hong Kong (69%)</td><td style="border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; padding: 10px 40px; height: 18px;">South Africa (64%)</td><td style="border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; padding: 10px 40px; height: 18px;">Middle East/ASEAN countries (71%)</td></tr></tbody></table></div>

<div class="row g-4 pb-5" style="border: solid #eaeaea; border-width: 1px 0 1px;"><div class="col-lg-7"><div class="row g-4"><div class="col-12 col-md-6"><img class="w-100" style="max-width: 352px;" src="https://vep-tradeshow.hktdc.com/event/hkelectronicsfairae/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2022/04/20191114-1a.jpg" /></div><div class="col-12 col-md-6"><img class="w-100" style="max-width: 352px;" src="https://vep-tradeshow.hktdc.com/event/hkelectronicsfairae/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2022/04/20191114-1b.jpg" /></div><div class="col-12 col-md-6"><img class="w-100" style="max-width: 352px;" src="https://vep-tradeshow.hktdc.com/event/hkelectronicsfairae/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2022/04/20191114-1c.jpg" /></div><div class="col-12 col-md-6"><img class="w-100" style="max-width: 352px;" src="https://vep-tradeshow.hktdc.com/event/hkelectronicsfairae/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2022/04/20191114-1d.jpg" /></div></div></div><div class="col-12 col-lg-5 ps-xl-5"><p>The seven autumn trade fairs organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council welcomed nearly 156,000 visitors from 165 countries and regions</p></div></div>

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    <p>The Tech Hall at the Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Autumn Edition) featured the Nanjing 5G Pavilion along with the Symposium on Innovation & Technology, held under the theme “Intelligent Connectivity: 5G and Beyond”</p>
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<div class="row g-4 pb-5" style="border: solid #eaeaea; border-width: 0 0 1px;"><div class="col-lg-7"><div class="row g-4"><div class="col-12 col-md-6"><img class="w-100" style="max-width: 352px;" src="https://vep-tradeshow.hktdc.com/event/hkelectronicsfairae/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2022/04/20191114-3a.jpg" /></div><div class="col-12 col-md-6"><img class="w-100" style="max-width: 352px;" src="https://vep-tradeshow.hktdc.com/event/hkelectronicsfairae/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2022/04/20191114-3b.jpg" /></div></div></div><div class="col-12 col-lg-5 ps-xl-5"><p>electronicAsia showcased a bevy of cutting-edge production technologies and provided an important sourcing platform for the upstream supply chain in the electronics industry</p></div></div>

<div class="row g-4 pb-5" style="border: solid #eaeaea; border-width: 0 0 1px;"><div class="col-lg-7"><div class="row g-4"><div class="col-12 col-md-6"><img class="w-100" style="max-width: 352px;" src="https://vep-tradeshow.hktdc.com/event/hkelectronicsfairae/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2022/04/20191114-4a.jpg" /></div><div class="col-12 col-md-6"><img class="w-100" style="max-width: 352px;" src="https://vep-tradeshow.hktdc.com/event/hkelectronicsfairae/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2022/04/20191114-4b.jpg" /></div></div></div><div class="col-12 col-lg-5 ps-xl-5"><p>The <strong>Connected Living • Smart Home</strong> zone at the Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition) featured a range of lighting products and technologies for smart living. The concurrent Outdoor and Tech Light Expo offered more business opportunities for industry players</p></div></div>

<div class="row g-4 pb-5" style="padding-top: 15px; border: solid #eaeaea; border-width: 0px 0 1px;"><div class="col-lg-4 ps-xl-6"><div class="row g-4"><div class="col-12 col-md-12"><img class="w-100" style="max-width: 352px;" src="https://vep-tradeshow.hktdc.com/event/hkelectronicsfairae/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2022/04/20191114-5.jpg" /></div></div></div><div class="col-12 col-lg-7"><p>The acclaimed Greater Bay Area zone returned to this year’s Eco Expo Asia, gathering close to 100 exhibitors from all the Greater Bay Area cities to promote regional cooperation</p></div></div>

<div class="row g-4 pb-5" style="border: solid #eaeaea; border-width: 0 0 1px;"><div class="col-lg-7"><div class="row g-4"><div class="col-12 col-md-6"><img class="w-100" style="max-width: 352px;" src="https://vep-tradeshow.hktdc.com/event/hkelectronicsfairae/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2022/04/20191114-6a.jpg" /></div><div class="col-12 col-md-6"><img class="w-100" style="max-width: 352px;" src="https://vep-tradeshow.hktdc.com/event/hkelectronicsfairae/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2022/04/20191114-6b.jpg" /></div></div></div><div class="col-12 col-lg-5 ps-xl-5"><p>The Hong Kong International Optical Fair featured 810 exhibitors from 18 countries and regions. The <strong>Brand Name Gallery</strong> presented 230 renowned international eyewear brands</p></div></div>

<div class="row g-4 pb-5" style="border: solid #eaeaea; border-width: 0 0 1px;"><div class="col-lg-7"><div class="row g-4"><div class="col-12 col-md-6"><img class="w-100" style="max-width: 352px;" src="https://vep-tradeshow.hktdc.com/event/hkelectronicsfairae/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2022/04/20191114-7a.jpg" /></div><div class="col-12 col-md-6"><img class="w-100" style="max-width: 352px;" src="https://vep-tradeshow.hktdc.com/event/hkelectronicsfairae/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2022/04/20191114-7b.jpg" /></div></div></div><div class="col-12 col-lg-5 ps-xl-5"><p>This year’s Hong Kong International Wine &amp; Spirits Fair featured 20 international group pavilions from wine-producing regions, trade organisations and governmental bodies looking to promote their quality products. A Craft Beer Pavilion debuted at the fair to offer a more varied selection for beer lovers</p></div></div>




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    <p>   The HKTDC stepped up measures to support exhibitors and buyers, including: arranging shuttle bus services to take event participants between event venues, the airport and hotels; setting up HKTDC Service Counters in the Buffer Halls at Hong Kong International Airport to provide the latest transportation information and pre-registration for buyers; and launching Buyer Concierge Desks at the fairgrounds </p>
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Fair websites HKTDC Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Autumn Edition)

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<strong>About the HKTDC</strong><br />The<span style="text-decoration: underline;"> <a href="https://www.hktdc.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC)</a> </span>is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade. With 50 <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://aboutus.hktdc.com/en/#global-network" target="_blank" rel="noopener">offices</a> </span>globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises <a href="http://www.hktdc.com/info/trade-events/EX/en/Exhibitions.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">international exhibitions</span>, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">conferences </span></a>and <a href="http://www.hktdc.com/info/trade-events/ci/TDCWORLD-upcoming/en/HKTDC-Worldwide-Trade-Events.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">business missions</span></a> 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 <a href="http://www.hktdc.com/mis/pm/en/HKTDC-Product-Magazines.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">trade publications</span></a>, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://research.hktdc.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">research reports</a> </span>and <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">digital news channels</a></span>. For more information, please visit: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.hktdc.com/aboutus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.hktdc.com/aboutus</a></span>. Follow us on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/hktdc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://vep-tradeshow.hktdc.com/event/hkelectronicsfairae/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2022/03/icons__twitter.png" alt="Twitter" width="25" height="25" /></a> Twitter @hktdc <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/company/hong-kong-trade-development-council" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://vep-tradeshow.hktdc.com/event/hkelectronicsfairae/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2022/03/icons__linkedin.png" alt="Linkedin" width="25" height="25" /> LinkedIn

As the autumn trade fair season draws to a close, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) has revealed that more than 9,600 exhibitors and nearly 156,000 buyers from 165 countries and regions attended the seven fairs it organised in October and November. Among specific markets, there was an increase in the number of buyers coming from Turkey, Brazil, Iran, Vietnam and Macao. 