Hong Kong adds eight new trade fairs to boost sector

The new exhibitions will be held annually at two venues: the new AsiaWorld-Expo, which opens in December on Lantau Island; and the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The initiative is intended to further strengthen Hong Kong's claim to be Asia's trade-fair capital. The shows will carry the following themes: l Printing and Packaging, to be co-organised with CIEC Exhibition Company (Hong Kong) l Autoparts, to be co-organised with Paper Communication Exhibition Services l Auto and Boat and Leisure, to be co-organised with MMI-Munich International Trade Fairs l Building Materials and Construction Equipment, to be co-organised also with CIEC Exhibition Company (Hong Kong) l Furniture, to be co-organised with Kenfair International (Holdings) l Environmental Protection Products and Technologies, to be co-organised with Messe Frankfurt (HK) l Textile and Garment Machinery and Technology, to be co-organised with Adsale Exhibition Services l Medical and Health Care, to be co-organised with China Promotion Limited. "The new fairs will provide a marketing platform for more than 2,000 firms in industries and sectors presently underserved by international trade fairs in Hong Kong," said TDC assistant executive director, Benjamin Chau. "They will attract an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 buyers from around the world each year, with billions of dollars in spin-off benefits for the local economy." Before committing to the new fairs and seeking private-sector partners, the TDC conducted extensive research and consulted with relevant industry associations and leading players.