With the recent turmoil in Hong Kong, many buyers might be a bit wary about visiting trade fairs during these unsettling times.
However, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) says the Hong Kong International Lighting Fair, Hong Kong International Outdoor and Tech Light Expo, and Eco Expo Asia all had a good result with a growth in buyer attendance from various countries.
HKTDC received over 59,000 trade visitors from 135 countries and regions at the twin lighting fairs and clean tech show in Hong Kong from 27 Oct to 2 Nov.
“Despite the recent public incidents in Hong Kong and the current external economic uncertainties, all three fairs and their events were staged successfully,” says HKTDC deputy executive director, Benjamin Chau.
“HKTDC will continue to provide additional supporting services at upcoming events, including strengthening business matching to foster connections between exhibitors and buyers; organising buying missions to encourage buyers from mature and emerging markets to source in Hong Kong; and providing more special offers to lower the travel costs for buyers and raise their interest in travelling to Hong Kong to do business.”
Indeed, The California State Trade Expansion Program (California STEP) brought 12 food companies from the US to exhibit at this year’s HKTDC Food Expo, a stronger presence than in previous years.
“We have met with a lot of buyers from Hong Kong and Mainland China who expressed keen interest in our products,” California STEP director Jeffrey Williamson says.
“Our participating companies feel positive about the new business opportunities they’ve been able to explore here. We have not been affected by the recent social incidents that happened in Hong Kong.”
He believes that the city is still a lead market for the state’s exporters entering Asia, with its excellent financial, legal and logistics infrastructure.
HKTDC always views the safety of exhibitors and buyers as its first priority. The council has provided the following services to enhance support for exhibitors and buyers during the fairs:
• Enhanced transport and customer-support services
• Free shuttle buses to take event participants between the event venue, airport and hotels
• HKTDC Service Counter in the Buffer Halls at Hong Kong International Airport is complemented by service ambassadors to provide event participants with the latest transportation information upon arrival and handle their badge registration
