Press Releases

<p>To highlight Hong Kong’s advantages as an international innovation and technology hub as well as the business platform for smart city technologies, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council will co-organise an inaugural<strong> InnoEX</strong> in April 2023. Riding on the past success of the HKTDC International ICT Expo, InnoEX will be a prominent one-stop I&amp;T event encompassing insights from influential tech experts and thought leaders, showcase of cutting-edge technologies and disruptive innovations, as well as business exchanges, facilitating regional and cross-sector collaborations among enterprises and government administrations, with a special focus in Asia. InnoEX will be one of the core programmes under the inaugural ‘Business of Innovation and Technology Week’.</p><p>InnoEX will adopt the EXHIBITION+ hybrid model with the physical exhibition to be held on 12-15 April 2023 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, and the online platform to open from 12-22 April 2023, offering participants a more comprehensive and effective exchange and business matching platform both in person and online. Please visit <a class="vep-hyperlink" href="https://innoex.hk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://innoex.hk</a> for more information about the event. </p><p>For enquiries, please visit our website, call our hotline (852) 1830 668 or email <a class="vep-hyperlink" href="mailto:exhibitions@hktdc.org">exhibitions@hktdc.org</a>. </p>

HKTDC Organises Brand-New InnoEX

<table class="acchk-responsive-table" border="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>More than 12,300 exhibitors gathered in Hong Kong for the seven trade fairs organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) in April, with over 9,500 coming from Mainland China and overseas. The fairs attracted more than 236,000 buyers from 181 countries and regions, up 2% year-on-year. The number of buyers from the mainland and overseas was 140,000-plus, an increase of 4.5% compared to the previous year and representing around 60% of the overall turnout.</td></tr><tr><td> </td></tr><tr><td>In addition to participating in the fairs, overseas buyers and exhibitors also generated business opportunities for the hotel, catering and tourism industries of Hong Kong. According to the Hong Kong Tourism Board, the per capita spending of overnight meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) visitors was HK$8,218. Based on this figure, it is estimated that overseas participants generated income of more than HK$1.3 billion for Hong Kong’s tourism and related industries.</td></tr><tr><td> </td></tr><tr><td>The seven fairs were: the HKTDC Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition), HKTDC Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition), HKTDC International ICT Expo, HKTDC Hong Kong Houseware Fair, HKTDC Hong Kong International Home Textiles and Furnishings Fair, HKTDC Hong Kong Gifts &amp; Premium Fair, and the Hong Kong International Printing &amp; Packaging Fair. The latter was jointly organised by the HKTDC and CIEC Exhibition Company (HK) Ltd. </td></tr><tr><td> </td></tr><tr><td><strong>Benjamin Chau, HKTDC Deputy Executive Director</strong>, said: “The development of innovative technologies and smart products has become a major global trend. The seven April fairs offered an international trading platform for industry players to showcase their latest designs and innovations to global buyers and to test market response at first-hand. In addition, the HKTDC incorporated more innovation and technology (I&amp;T) elements into the fairs to create additional opportunities for industry players and to bolster Hong Kong’s standing as the business hub of Asia and an international trade fair capital.”</td></tr><tr><td> </td></tr><tr><td><strong>Surge in smart city development</strong><br />During the Spring Lighting Fair, Spring Electronics Fair, Houseware Fair and Gifts &amp; Premium Fair, the HKTDC commissioned an independent research agency to conduct on-site surveys, interviewing 2,729 exhibitors and buyers to gauge their views on market prospects and product trends. With I&amp;T being a key factor in the development of smart cities, and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government currently striving to develop Hong Kong into a world-class smart city, the surveys found more than 90% of respondents to be either optimistic or neutral about smart city development in Hong Kong.</td></tr><tr><td> </td></tr><tr><td>More I&amp;T elements were included in this year’s April fairs. The ICT Expo adopted the theme of Smart City • Smart Living and showcased an array of visionary smart city projects and applications. These included the I&amp;T initiatives featured at the Smart Government Pavilion presented by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer of the HKSAR Government; the City Brain platform presented by the Hangzhou Government; and the innovative and forward-looking applications and solutions displayed at the “So French So Innovative” pavilion.</td></tr><tr><td> </td></tr><tr><td>Smart homes are an integral part of smart city development. At the Spring Lighting Fair, 89% of respondents said they consider the outlook for smart lighting in the coming two years to be promising (80%) or very promising (9%). To facilitate the sourcing of smart home products, the Spring Lighting Fair launched the Innobuild zone, which showcased innovative building technologies and practical building tools, in addition to the Smart Lighting &amp; Solutions zone.</td></tr><tr><td> </td></tr><tr><td>The Spring Electronics Fair adopted similar initiatives. The Tech Hall displayed the latest innovative electronics products organised into five themes, including AR, VR &amp; MR (covering augmented reality, virtual reality and mixed reality); Connected Home; e-Health &amp; Wearables; Robotics &amp; Unmanned Tech; and the new AI &amp; Voice Recognition solutions. Similarly, the Houseware Fair showcased a range of smart homewares and hosted a seminar to examine smart home and eco home product trends. At the Gifts &amp; Premium Fair, a Tech Gifts zone was set up to spotlight innovative gift ideas.</td></tr><tr><td> </td></tr><tr><td><strong>Industry remains optimistic about sales outlook, Greater Bay Area opportunities</strong><br />The surveys also sought the views of respondents on business prospects in 2019. More than 90% of respondents said they expect overall sales to rise (46%) or remain steady (45%), highlighting the general optimism among businesses in different fields.</td></tr><tr><td> </td></tr><tr><td>The Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, released in February, has grabbed the attention of players across different industries. Accordingly, the April fairs incorporated more Greater Bay Area elements to update participants on the latest opportunities, including hosting a Greater Bay Area-related seminar and inviting mainland cities from the Greater Bay Area, including Foshan, Zhongshan, Zhuhai, Jiangmen and Dongguan, to set up group pavilions. More than 80% of survey respondents hold positive or neutral views on the impact of the Greater Bay Area on their export performance in the coming six months.</td></tr><tr><td> </td></tr><tr><td><strong>Rising costs continue to be greatest business challenge</strong><br />Costs are always a significant factor in the decisions made by businesses. Survey respondents generally expect that increases in operating costs (46%) and price fluctuations in raw materials (37%) will continue to be the greatest business challenges this year, while 40% expressed concerns about global economic fluctuations. Fifty-two per cent of respondents anticipate that production costs or sourcing costs will increase, yet only 38% expect to raise free-on-board selling prices or retail prices, suggesting that industry professionals will not transfer additional costs to clients or consumers.</td></tr><tr><td> </td></tr><tr><td>In terms of market prospects, respondents are generally positive about the outlook in traditional markets. Seventy-three per cent of respondents foresee Korea to be promising or very promising, followed by Taiwan (71%) and Hong Kong (69%). For emerging markets, 77% of respondents view Mainland China as promising or very promising this year, followed by ASEAN (72%) and South Africa (71%).</td></tr><tr><td> </td></tr><tr><td>Regarding product trends, the lighting industry is most optimistic about commercial lighting, smart lighting and solutions, and residential lighting. The electronics industry finds electrical and electronic accessories to be the most promising product category, followed by digital imaging, audio-visual products and home appliances. As for the houseware industry, eco-friendly products, kitchenware and gadgets, and furniture are considered to have the strongest growth potential this year; while the gifts industry sees advertising gifts and premiums, tech gifts, figurines and decorations, and toys and sporting goods to have the best outlook.</td></tr></tbody></table>

Overseas participants generate HK$1.3b in income for Hong Kong; industry optimistic about outlook and Greater Bay Area opportunities

<p><strong>Summary of survey results:</strong><br />Exhibitors and buyers surveyed: 2,729<br /><br /></p><table style="border: solid 1px #d3d3d3;" width="100%"><tbody><tr style="border-bottom: solid 1px #d3d3d3;"><th style="text-align: center; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: solid 1px #d3d3d3;" colspan="2"><strong>Views on smart city development in Hong Kong</strong></th></tr><tr style="background-color: #f2f2f2;"><td style="text-align: left; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: solid 1px #d3d3d3;">Very promising</td><td style="text-align: left; border-right: solid 1px #d3d3d3; padding: 10px 40px;">5%</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: left; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: solid 1px #d3d3d3;">Promising</td><td style="text-align: left; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: solid 1px #d3d3d3;">41%</td></tr><tr style="background-color: #f2f2f2;"><td style="text-align: left; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: solid 1px #d3d3d3;">Neutral</td><td style="text-align: left; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: solid 1px #d3d3d3;">47%</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: left; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: solid 1px #d3d3d3;">Unpromising</td><td style="text-align: left; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: solid 1px #d3d3d3;">6%</td></tr><tr style="background-color: #f2f2f2;"><td style="text-align: left; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: solid 1px #d3d3d3;">Very unpromising</td><td style="text-align: left; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: solid 1px #d3d3d3;">1%</td></tr></tbody></table><p>&nbsp;</p><table style="border: solid 1px #d3d3d3;" width="100%"><tbody><tr style="border-bottom: solid 1px #d3d3d3;"><th style="text-align: center; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: solid 1px #d3d3d3;" colspan="2"><strong>Views on the impact of the Greater Bay Area on export performance over next six months</strong></th></tr><tr style="background-color: #f2f2f2;"><td style="text-align: left; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: solid 1px #d3d3d3;">Very positive</td><td style="text-align: left; border-right: solid 1px #d3d3d3; padding: 10px 40px;">4%</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: left; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: solid 1px #d3d3d3;">Slightly positive</td><td style="text-align: left; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: solid 1px #d3d3d3;">27%</td></tr><tr style="background-color: #f2f2f2;"><td style="text-align: left; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: solid 1px #d3d3d3;">Neutral</td><td style="text-align: left; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: solid 1px #d3d3d3;">57%</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: left; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: solid 1px #d3d3d3;">Slightly negative</td><td style="text-align: left; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: solid 1px #d3d3d3;">11%</td></tr><tr style="background-color: #f2f2f2;"><td style="text-align: left; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: solid 1px #d3d3d3;">Very negative</td><td style="text-align: left; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: solid 1px #d3d3d3;">1%</td></tr></tbody></table><p>&nbsp;</p><table style="border: 1px solid #d3d3d3; width: 100%;" width="100%"><tbody><tr style="border-bottom: solid 1px #d3d3d3;"><th style="text-align: center; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; width: 67.1052%;" colspan="3" align="center"><strong>Overall sales expectations for the year</strong></th></tr><tr style="border-bottom: solid 1px #d3d3d3;"><th style="text-align: center; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; width: 31.5789%;" align="center"> </th><th style="text-align: center; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; width: 35.5263%;" align="center"><strong>2019 Survey</strong></th><td style="text-align: center; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: 0px solid #d3d3d3; width: 31.4327%;" align="center">2018 Survey</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: center; padding: 10px 40px; width: 31.5789%;" align="center">Increase</td><td style="text-align: center; padding: 10px 40px; width: 35.5263%;" align="center"><strong>46%</strong></td><td style="text-align: center; border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; padding: 10px 40px; width: 31.4327%;">49%</td></tr><tr style="background-color: #f2f2f2;"><td style="text-align: center; padding: 10px 40px; width: 31.5789%;" align="center">Unchanged</td><td style="text-align: center; padding: 10px 40px; width: 35.5263%;" align="center"><strong>45%</strong></td><td style="text-align: center; border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; padding: 10px 40px; width: 31.4327%;">45%</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: center; padding: 10px 40px; width: 31.5789%;" align="center">Decrease</td><td style="text-align: center; padding: 10px 40px; width: 35.5263%;" align="center"><strong>7%</strong></td><td style="text-align: center; border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; padding: 10px 40px; width: 31.4327%;">5%</td></tr></tbody></table><p>&nbsp;</p><table style="border: 1px solid #d3d3d3; width: 100%;" width="100%"><tbody><tr style="border-bottom: solid 1px #d3d3d3;"><th style="text-align: center; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; width: 67.1052%;" colspan="3" align="center"><strong>Production/sourcing cost expectations for the year</strong></th></tr><tr style="border-bottom: solid 1px #d3d3d3;"><th style="text-align: center; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; width: 31.5789%;" align="center"> </th><th style="text-align: center; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; width: 35.5263%;" align="center"><strong>2019 Survey</strong></th><td style="text-align: center; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: 0px solid #d3d3d3; width: 31.4327%;" align="center">2018 Survey</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: center; padding: 10px 40px; width: 31.5789%;" align="center">Increase</td><td style="text-align: center; padding: 10px 40px; width: 35.5263%;" align="center"><strong>52%</strong></td><td style="text-align: center; border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; padding: 10px 40px; width: 31.4327%;">55%</td></tr><tr style="background-color: #f2f2f2;"><td style="text-align: center; padding: 10px 40px; width: 31.5789%;" align="center">Unchanged</td><td style="text-align: center; padding: 10px 40px; width: 35.5263%;" align="center"><strong>43%</strong></td><td style="text-align: center; border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; padding: 10px 40px; width: 31.4327%;">41%</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: center; padding: 10px 40px; width: 31.5789%;" align="center">Decrease</td><td style="text-align: center; padding: 10px 40px; width: 35.5263%;" align="center"><strong>3%</strong></td><td style="text-align: center; border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; padding: 10px 40px; width: 31.4327%;">2%</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="overflow: auto;"> </div><div style="overflow: auto;"><table style="border: solid 1px #d3d3d3;" width="100%"><tbody><tr style="border-bottom: solid 1px #d3d3d3;"><th style="text-align: center; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: solid 1px #d3d3d3;" colspan="2"><strong>Major business challenges for the year*</strong></th></tr><tr style="background-color: #f2f2f2;"><td style="text-align: left; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: solid 1px #d3d3d3;">Increase in operating costs</td><td style="text-align: left; border-right: solid 1px #d3d3d3; padding: 10px 40px;">46%</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: left; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: solid 1px #d3d3d3;">Fluctuations in the global economy</td><td style="text-align: left; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: solid 1px #d3d3d3;">40%</td></tr><tr style="background-color: #f2f2f2;"><td style="text-align: left; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: solid 1px #d3d3d3;">Price fluctuations of raw materials</td><td style="text-align: left; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: solid 1px #d3d3d3;">37%</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: left; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: solid 1px #d3d3d3;">Keen competition within the industry</td><td style="text-align: left; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: solid 1px #d3d3d3;">30%</td></tr><tr style="background-color: #f2f2f2;"><td style="text-align: left; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: solid 1px #d3d3d3;">Fluctuating exchange rates</td><td style="text-align: left; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: solid 1px #d3d3d3;">27%</td></tr></tbody></table><br />* Multiple selections allowed<br /><p>&nbsp;</p><table style="border: 1px solid #d3d3d3; width: 100%;" width="100%"><tbody><tr style="border-bottom: solid 1px #d3d3d3;"><th style="text-align: center; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; width: 67.1052%;" colspan="3" align="center"><strong>Top traditional markets with promising growth</strong></th></tr><tr style="border-bottom: solid 1px #d3d3d3;"><th style="text-align: center; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; width: 31.5789%;" align="center"> </th><td style="text-align: center; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; width: 35.5263%;" align="center">Promising and very promising</td><td style="text-align: center; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: 0px solid #d3d3d3; width: 31.4327%;" align="center">Neutral</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: center; padding: 10px 40px; width: 31.5789%;" align="center"><strong>Korea</strong></td><td style="text-align: center; padding: 10px 40px; width: 35.5263%;" align="center">73%</td><td style="text-align: center; border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; padding: 10px 40px; width: 31.4327%;">26%</td></tr><tr style="background-color: #f2f2f2;"><td style="text-align: center; padding: 10px 40px; width: 31.5789%;" align="center"><strong>Taiwan</strong></td><td style="text-align: center; padding: 10px 40px; width: 35.5263%;" align="center">71%</td><td style="text-align: center; border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; padding: 10px 40px; width: 31.4327%;">27%</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: center; padding: 10px 40px; width: 31.5789%;" align="center"><strong>Hong Kong</strong></td><td style="text-align: center; padding: 10px 40px; width: 35.5263%;" align="center">69%</td><td style="text-align: center; border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; padding: 10px 40px; width: 31.4327%;">29%</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table style="border: 1px solid #d3d3d3; width: 100%;" width="100%"><tbody><tr style="border-bottom: solid 1px #d3d3d3;"><th style="text-align: center; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; width: 67.1052%;" colspan="3" align="center"><strong>Top emerging markets with promising growth</strong></th></tr><tr style="border-bottom: solid 1px #d3d3d3;"><th style="text-align: center; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; width: 31.5789%;" align="center"> </th><td style="text-align: center; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; width: 35.5263%;" align="center">Promising and very promising</td><td style="text-align: center; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: 0px solid #d3d3d3; width: 31.4327%;" align="center">Neutral</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: center; padding: 10px 40px; width: 31.5789%;" align="center"><strong>Mainland China</strong></td><td style="text-align: center; padding: 10px 40px; width: 35.5263%;" align="center">77%</td><td style="text-align: center; border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; padding: 10px 40px; width: 31.4327%;">21%</td></tr><tr style="background-color: #f2f2f2;"><td style="text-align: center; padding: 10px 40px; width: 31.5789%;" align="center"><strong>ASEAN</strong></td><td style="text-align: center; padding: 10px 40px; width: 35.5263%;" align="center">72%</td><td style="text-align: center; border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; padding: 10px 40px; width: 31.4327%;">25%</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: center; padding: 10px 40px; width: 31.5789%;" align="center"><strong>South Africa</strong></td><td style="text-align: center; padding: 10px 40px; width: 35.5263%;" align="center">71%</td><td style="text-align: center; border-right: 1px solid #d3d3d3; padding: 10px 40px; width: 31.4327%;">25%</td></tr></tbody></table><p>&nbsp;</p><div style="overflow: auto;"><table style="border: solid 1px #d3d3d3;" width="100%"><tbody><tr style="border-bottom: solid 1px #d3d3d3;"><td style="padding: 10px 40px; border-right: solid 1px #d3d3d3;" align="left"><strong>Industry</strong></td><td style="padding: 10px 40px; border-right: solid 1px #d3d3d3;" align="left"><strong>Product categories considered the most promising</strong></td></tr><tr style="background-color: #f2f2f2;"><td style="text-align: left; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: solid 1px #d3d3d3;" align="left">Lighting</td><td style="border-right: solid 1px #d3d3d3; padding: 10px 40px;" colspan="3">Commercial lighting; smart lighting &amp; solutions; residential lighting</td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 10px 40px; border-right: solid 1px #d3d3d3;" align="left">Electronics</td><td style="padding: 10px 40px; border-right: solid 1px #d3d3d3;" colspan="3">Electrical and electronic accessories; digital imaging products; audio-visual products; home appliances</td></tr><tr style="background-color: #f2f2f2;"><td style="text-align: left; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: solid 1px #d3d3d3;" align="left">Houseware</td><td style="border-right: solid 1px #d3d3d3; padding: 10px 40px;" colspan="3">Eco-friendly products; kitchenware &amp; gadgets; furniture</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: left; padding: 10px 40px; border-right: solid 1px #d3d3d3;" align="left">Gift and Premium</td><td style="border-right: solid 1px #d3d3d3; padding: 10px 40px;" colspan="3">Advertising gifts &amp; premiums; tech gifts; figurines &amp; decorations; toys and sporting goods</td></tr></tbody></table></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/ictexpo/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/11/1a-3.jpg" /></div><div class="col-12 col-md-6"><img class="w-100" style="max-width: 352px;" src="https://vep-tradeshow.hktdc.com/event/ictexpo/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/11/1b-2.jpg" /></div></div></div><div class="col-12 col-lg-5 ps-xl-5"><p>More than 236,000 buyers took in the seven fairs organised by the HKTDC in April</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/ictexpo/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/11/2a-2.jpg" /></div><div class="col-12 col-md-6"><img class="w-100" style="max-width: 352px;" src="https://vep-tradeshow.hktdc.com/event/ictexpo/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/11/2b-2.jpg" /></div></div></div><div class="col-12 col-lg-5 ps-xl-5"><p>Hong Kong Tourism Board figures show that the per capita spending of overnight MICE visitors was HK$8,218. Based on this figure, it is estimated that the seven fairs generated more than HK$1.3 billion in income for Hong Kong’s tourism and related industries</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/ictexpo/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/11/3a-3.jpg" /></div><div class="col-12 col-md-6"><img class="w-100" style="max-width: 352px;" src="https://vep-tradeshow.hktdc.com/event/ictexpo/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/11/3b-2.jpg" /></div><div class="col-12 col-md-6"><img class="w-100" style="max-width: 352px;" src="https://vep-tradeshow.hktdc.com/event/ictexpo/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/11/3c.jpg" /></div></div></div><div class="col-12 col-lg-5 ps-xl-5"><p>Technological innovation and smart cities are leading trends across different industries. The HKTDC enhanced the I&amp;T elements at its April fairs to meet industry needs</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/ictexpo/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/11/4a.jpg" /></div><div class="col-12 col-md-6"><img class="w-100" style="max-width: 352px;" src="https://vep-tradeshow.hktdc.com/event/ictexpo/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/11/4b-1.jpg" /></div><div class="col-12 col-md-6"><img class="w-100" style="max-width: 352px;" src="https://vep-tradeshow.hktdc.com/event/ictexpo/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/11/4c.jpg" /></div></div></div><div class="col-12 col-lg-5 ps-xl-5"><p>Startup zones were set up at the Spring Electronics Fair, ICT Expo, Houseware Fair and Gifts &amp; Premium Fair, which featured more than 200 start-ups. A series of activities were held at the zones, including pitching and “Startup . Smart Launch” sessions</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/ictexpo/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/11/5a.jpg" /></div><div class="col-12 col-md-6"><img class="w-100" style="max-width: 352px;" src="https://vep-tradeshow.hktdc.com/event/ictexpo/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/11/5b.jpg" /></div><div class="col-12 col-md-6"><img class="w-100" style="max-width: 352px;" src="https://vep-tradeshow.hktdc.com/event/ictexpo/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/11/5c.jpg" /></div></div></div><div class="col-12 col-lg-5 ps-xl-5"><p>An array of conferences and thematic seminars were held during the fairs to update industry professionals on the latest technology trends</p></div></div>

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

Media Enquiries

<p><strong><br />About the HKTDC</strong><br />A statutory body established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based traders, <a style="text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.hktdc.com/suppliers/china-wholesale-suppliers/en">manufacturers</a> and <a style="text-decoration: underline;" href="http://service-providers.hktdc.com/">services </a><a style="text-decoration: underline;" href="http://service-providers.hktdc.com/">providers</a>. With more than 40 offices globally, including 13 on the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China and throughout Asia. The HKTDC also organises <a style="text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.hktdc.com/info/trade-events/EX/en/Exhibitions.htm">international exhibitions, conferences</a> and business missions to provide companies, particularly SMEs, with business opportunities on the mainland and in overseas markets, while providing information via <a style="text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.hktdc.com/mis/pm/en/HKTDC-Product-Magazines.html">trade </a><a style="text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.hktdc.com/mis/pm/en/HKTDC-Product-Magazines.html">publications</a>, <a style="text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.hktdc.com/research">research reports</a> and <a style="text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.hktdc.com/">digital channels</a> including the <a style="text-decoration: underline;" href="http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/">media room</a>. For more information, please visit: <a style="text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.hktdc.com/aboutus">www.hktdc.com/aboutus</a>.</p><p>Follow us on <a style="text-decoration: underline;" href="http://plus.google.com/+hktdc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://vep-tradeshow.hktdc.com/event/hkelectronicsfairse/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2021/11/icons__gplus.png" alt="“G+”" width="25" height="25" /></a> Google+  <a href="http://www.twitter.com/hktdc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://vep-tradeshow.hktdc.com/event/hkelectronicsfairse/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2021/11/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/hkelectronicsfairse/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2021/11/icons__linkedin.png" alt="“Linkedin”" width="25" height="25" /></a> LinkedIn</p>

More than 12,300 exhibitors gathered in Hong Kong for the seven trade fairs organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) in April, with over 9,500 coming from Mainland China and overseas. The fairs attracted more than 236,000 buyers from 181 countries and regions, up 2% year-on-year. The number of buyers from the mainland and overseas was 140,000-plus, an increase of 4.5% compared to the previous year and representing around 60% of the overall turnout.