HKTDC April Fairs Bring in More Than HK$1.5 Billion Seven Fairs Welcome Over 210,000 Buyers to Hong Kong

Hong Kong, May 6, 2013 – (ACN Newswire) – The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) organised seven trade fairs last month, covering a variety of industries: lighting, electronics, information and communications technology, houseware, home textiles and furnishings, gifts and premiums, and printing and packaging.

Exhibitor, Buyer Records

Collectively, the fairs welcomed more than 11,000 exhibitors and 210,000 buyers, new records in each case. Among visitors, 6,466 exhibitors and 124,000 buyers came from overseas. According to Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Industry Association estimates, the fairs brought in more than HK$1.5 billion to Hong Kong.

HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Benjamin Chau said that the fairs were highly international, with buyers coming from 170 countries and regions. “The fairs benefitted many industries, and the contributions they made to the Hong Kong economy were significant.” Mr Chau added that the fairs helped Hong Kong solidify its position as an international trade hub.

Fair Survey Findings

The HKTDC commissioned Ipsos, an independent survey agency, to conduct surveys during the lighting, electronics, houseware, and gift and premium fairs. They interviewed 1,051 exhibitors and 1,506 buyers and found that 70 per cent of the buyers met new suppliers during the fairs, and that close to 80 per cent of the exhibitors used Hong Kong’s trade fairs to launch new products. Nearly 80 per cent of those interviewed expect the volume of products sold or sourced via Hong Kong to increase or remain unchanged in the future.

“Interviewees generally consider Hong Kong’s competitive edges to be compliance with safety and environmental standards, along with outstanding product quality and supplier services,” said Mr Chau. Other major findings included:

— Exhibitors and buyers interviewed were positive about this year’s prospects, with 85 per cent of those interviewed expecting this year’s market to perform better or the same as last year.

— Almost 50 per cent of buyers interviewed expect retail prices to remain unchanged and sourcing prices to rise this year, while 45 per cent of exhibitors interviewed expect export prices to remain unchanged and production costs to jump.

— For traditional markets, North America and Australia are seen to have better prospects, and are expected to enjoy better growth in the coming two years.

— For emerging markets, the Chinese mainland tops the list, followed by Russia, ASEAN and Latin America.

— The trend toward environmentally friendly products will continue. More and more suppliers are willing to invest resources on eco-friendly manufacturing equipment, energy-saving products and green packaging.

Industry/Product Trend

Lighting
— Prices of LED lighting products will continue to fall, stimulating sales
— Products likely to enjoy the highest growth in 2013: LED lamps, commercial lighting, decorative lighting

Electronics
— Smart products continue to dominate the market, with tablet computers and smartphones enjoying strong sales volumes, especially high-end products, spurring demand for accessories
— Products likely to enjoy the highest growth in 2013: A/V, mobile electronics devices and accessories, electronics accessories

Houseware
— Products likely to enjoy the highest growth in 2013: kitchenware, home decorations, general houseware items

Gift and Premium
— Products likely to enjoy the highest growth in 2013: premiums, eco-friendly gifts, IT gifts

Small-Quantity Sourcing

The surveys also found that buyers place frequent orders for a variety of products in small quantities and demand fast delivery from suppliers. More than 40 per cent of the buyers interviewed said that their order quantity for each product was less than 1,000 pieces.

Mr Chau said that the Small-Order Zones set up during the April trade fairs attracted 65,000 buyer visits, generating 79,000 business connections. “Suppliers are embracing the sourcing opportunities presented by small orders. Since its inception in April 2012, the Small-Order Zone at HKTDC fairs has helped 1,000 suppliers capture new business opportunities, creating 160,000 business connections.”

The HKTDC’s seven April trade fairs were: the Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition), the Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition), International ICT Expo, the Hong Kong Houseware Fair, the Hong Kong International Home Textiles & Furnishings Fair, the Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair and the Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair.

About HKTDC

A statutory body established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based traders, manufacturers and service providers. With more than 40 global offices, including 11 on the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China and throughout Asia. The HKTDC also organises trade fairs and business missions to connect companies with opportunities in Hong Kong and on the mainland, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and online. For more information, please visit:www.hktdc.com . Follow us on Google+, Twitter @hktdc, LinkedIn.

Google+: http://plus.google.com/+hktdc
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Contact:

HKTDC

Corporate Communication Department

Joe Kainz

Tel: +852 2584 4216

Email: joe.kainz@hktdc.org