DUBAI- March 03, 2015: The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the international representative organisation for Hong Kong-based manufacturers, traders and service providers, announced in Dubai that seven of Asia's leading trade fairs will raise the curtains in Hong Kong in April this year. The series of shows offer phenomenal opportunities for the UAE-based enterprises to leverage the great trade networks of several established domestic and international markets as well as emerging markets.

The seven trade fairs, to be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) between April 6 and 30, 2015, would provide tailor-made platforms for traders and suppliers from around the world to expand their businesses into new markets. The events would also further boost the significant trading partnership between Hong Kong and the UAE and the GCC region, as the trade between the two sides is growing steadily for the past few years.

The trade fairs include - Hong Kong International Lighting Fair - Spring Edition (April 6 to 9), Hong Kong Electronics Fair - Spring Edition (April 13 to 16), International ICT Expo (April 13 to 16), Hong Kong International Home Textiles and Furnishings Fair (April 20 to 23), Hong Kong Houseware Fair (April 20 to 23), Hong Kong Gifts and Premium Fair (April 27 to 30) and Hong Kong International Printing and Packaging Fair (April 27 to 30).

Among the seven international shows, the Gifts and Premium Fair is the world's largest fair of its kind; while the Houseware Fair is the largest fair of its kind in Asia and Electronics Fair (Spring Edition) is Asia's largest spring electronics fair. Last year, the seven fairs registered 11,300 global exhibitors and attracted around 222,000 buyers sourcing in the fairs. The HKTDC organises more than 30 world-class fairs in Hong Kong every year.

Speaking at a press conference in Dubai, Mr. Perry Fung, HKTDC Regional Director of Middle East and Africa, said, "The seven trade fairs present tremendous opportunities for enterprises from the UAE to source quality products under one roof and make alliances and business contacts for expansion. We look forward to seeing more importers and distributors from the UAE to use the HKTDC's trading platforms to tap business opportunities this year and in future, as the trade relation between Hong Kong and the UAE has been growing significantly."

"The growing domestic market of the countries in the region is opening up new trading opportunities. Last year, buyers from Middle East who visited HKTDC fairs reached 2,500. The UAE is Hong Kong's largest export market in the Middle East. In 2014, Hong Kong's total exports to the UAE went up by 25.4 per cent year on year to US$6.2 billion. Reciprocally, Hong Kong's imports from the UAE were valued at US$3.8 billion," he added.

"Supported by a combination of international quality exhibitors and buyers, the seven global fairs offer one-stop marketing and sourcing platforms, and represent prime opportunities for traders to gather the latest market intelligence. We identify market opportunities, organise promotional activities, cultivate business contacts and offer fresh market intelligence. To harness the potential between the two places, we will step up our promotional efforts to expand our bilateral trade volume," Mr.  Fung elaborated.

"The HKTDC will also facilitate buyers from the emerging markets in the GCC with special packages to participate and source in the exhibitions. Other strategic benefits and privileges are also offered to the GCC participants of the trade exhibitions," he said.

International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition)

The 7th edition of the show is expected to attract around 1,100 exhibitors from 12 countries and regions. The fair offers global buyers a one-stop-shop for sourcing all finished products, parts and components. A great variety of merchandise will be showcased at different theme zones which enhance business opportunities for visitors and industry players, such as Hall of Aurora, LED & Green Lighting, Advertising Display Lighting and Avenue of Inspiration.

Catering to rising demand, World of Professional & Industrial Lighting will make its debut in the 2015 fair. It covers a broad range of products including stage lights, emergency and safety lights, architectural lighting, hospital lighting and other situation-specific applications, with LED options. Avenue of Chandeliers is still a favoured zone by buyers as they look for new and exciting interpretations as well as the classic chandeliers which never go out of fashion.

The total value of Hong Kong's export of lighting products (including lamps, lanterns and torches) exceeded US$1.3 billion in 2014. The most important export markets for Hong Kong are the US, the Chinese mainland and Japan.

Electronics Fair (Spring Edition) & International ICT Expo

The 12th editions of concurrent shows offer potential opportunities for industry players to preview the latest trends and exchange market knowledge. The twin fairs will provide the international platform for over 3,300 exhibitors to showcase their hottest electronics products, as well as their cutting-edge information and communications technology services, to potential business partners worldwide.

The Electronics Fair caters to the current market trends and demand. This year, the show will launch two new zones -- Wearable Electronics and Connected Home -- to showcase the latest technology advancement. The fair's Hall of Fame will return with international leading brands, including Bigben, Coway, Ford, Hyundai, Intel, Lenco, Motorola, Polaroid and many more.

The ICT Expo is the ideal platform for different industries to look for the latest ICT solutions and services, while IT practitioners can explore potential partners to expand their businesses. The ICT Expo brings the newest enterprise solutions, retail technologies, mobile applications, cloud computing solutions, telecommunications & network products for all businesses.

In 2014, Hong Kong's electronics exports rose by 6 per cent to reach 287 billion US Dollars. As the important electronics trading hub in Asia-Pacific, it is the ideal location to stage the two influential trade fairs.

Houseware Fair & International Home Textiles and Furnishings Fair

Celebrating its 30 years of success, the Houseware Fair serves as a hub for the latest and hottest products. Over 2,000 exhibitors from 34 countries and regions are expected to join the fair this year, with a new exhibiting country - Cyprus. More than 28,000 buyers from 119 countries and regions came through the doors in 2014.

This year's fair features a total of 22 'product or themed zones', focusing on key categories. Of which, five are newly introduced -- Bath, Beauty and Healthcare, Festive decor, Home Cleaning, Storage Solution and Wine Tools and Accessories.

The "Bath, Beauty an Healthcare" zone is divided into three product categories, each focusing on respective items, such as sauna or spa equipment and all sorts bath products; maternity skin care products and facial care instrument for beauty; and massage chairs, stress balls and elderly care products for healthcare. Items such as perfume and cologne, and aftershave lotion will also be showcased.

The sixth edition of International Home Textiles and Furnishings Fair will be held concurrently, showcasing a broad variety of household-related products and textiles. The show offers easy and one-stop sourcing, attracting motivated buyers from around the world.

Gifts and Premium Fair & Printing and Packaging Fair

The 30th edition of the world's largest Gifts and Premium Fair proves that Hong Kong is an important world-renowned sourcing centre of this kind. Over 4,100 global exhibitors are expected to take part this year. Hall of Fine Designs showcases collections of high quality products of more than 130 brands; Catering to the latest market trends, three new theme zones are added -- Beauty Products & Accessories Zone, Hiking and Camping Products Zone and Fine Porcelain Gifts Zone. Avenue of Inspiration will return to offer innovative and unique pieces from the country's young entrepreneurs and designers, giving buyers a glimpse of local originality.

The Hong Kong Exporters' Association (HKEA), the fair co-organiser, will establish exciting pavilion, showcasing the competitive edge of Hong Kong exporters. Within the pavilion, Isle of Originality, Design Village and Brand Oasis aim to promote original designs and brands. Promoting the integration of business strategy and design, the Hong Kong Smart Gifts Design Awards 2015 fosters creativity and innovation of Hong Kong corporate bodies, designers and students. Winning pieces will be displayed during fair period.

The concurrent 10th edition of Printing and Packaging Fair at Hong Kong Asia World-Expo is well-designed into 10 major zones such as Printing Services, Packaging Services and Food & Beverage Packaging Solutions. More than 400 international exhibitors are expected to join the four-day event, which will showcase all sorts of printing and packaging consumables, materials, equipment and systems, as well as diversified services, including prepress, graphic arts and design, multimedia technologies, repair and maintenance.

The De Luxe Zone and Green Printing & Packaging Solutions Zone will return this year in response to the special needs of packaging for luxury items as well as eco-friendly raw materials and processes.

-Ends-

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 13 on the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China and throughout Asia.

Its mission is to create opportunities for Hong Kong companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, by promoting trade in goods and services globally. Through a spectrum of promotional activities, the HKTDC offers a variety of platforms and business-matching services, connecting small and medium-sized enterprises in Hong Kong with business partners from all over the world.

The HKTDC organises trade fairs and business missions to provide companies, particularly SMEs, with business opportunities on the mainland and in overseas markets, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and online. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Mr. Rasheed Palliyalil
Watermelon PR
Dubai, UAE
Tel: +971 04 2833655
Email: rasheed@watermelonme.com

© Press Release 2015