Seven upcoming trade fairs in Hong Kong present tremendous opportunities for enterprises from the UAE to source quality products under one roof and make alliances and business contacts for expansion, said event organisers.

“We look forward to seeing more importers and distributors from the UAE to use the Hong Kong Trade Development Council’s (HKTDC) 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, added Perry Fung, HKTDC Regional Director of Middle East, speaking at a press conference in Dubai.

HKTDC announced that seven of Asia’s leading trade fairs will raise the curtains in Hong Kong in April this year.

The seven trade fairs, to be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) between April 6 and 30, 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.

“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 $6.2 billion. Reciprocally, Hong Kong’s imports from the UAE were valued at $3.8 billion,” Fung 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,” 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.- TradeArabia News Service