The three tech fairs attracted more than 66,000 buyers from 160 countries and regions, including Mainland China, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Korea, Taiwan, United States, Japan, India and Russia. The overwhelming response and lively exchange of ideas at the events highlighted Hong Kong’s rapid development into an international I&T hub, which connects the world with Mainland China and ASEAN.
Hybrid format
The HKTDC’s hybrid EXHIBITION+ platform format offered in-person and online access, which enables exhibitors and buyers from around the world to continue conducting business online until 22 April. The Click2Match smart business matching platform, has facilitated over 3,000 business meetings so far.
Sophia Chong, HKTDC Deputy Executive Director, said: “It is encouraging to see that the three tech fairs brought together nearly 3,000 exhibitors from 20 countries and regions to present a wide range of innovative solutions, cutting-edge technologies and electronic products, to create business opportunities across regions and industries and to explore the unlimited potential of innovation and technology cooperation.
“Many exhibitors were pleased to receive orders on the spot and secure business partnerships. We are pleased to see the three tech fairs playing a major role in the innotech ecosystem of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), which attracts the participation of ASEAN and Asian markets, and those further afield in Europe and the Americas. The success of these events reflects Hong Kong’s determination to develop at full speed into an international centre for innovation and technology and reaffirms the status of the city as an international trade and exhibition centre,” she added.
InnoEX and the Hong Kong Electronics Fair were flagship events of the inaugural Business of Innovation & Technology Week (BITWeek), which also included the Digital Economy Summit, co-organised by the HKSAR Government and Cyberport.
The three tech fairs of the HKTDC featured more than 100 innovative solutions to drive smart-city development in Hong Kong presented by the Smart Hong Kong Pavilion, artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics projects from 14 research laboratories in collaboration with world-renowned universities introduced by the InnoHK initiative under the Innovation and Technology Commission, the latest electronics and smart-lighting solutions as well as a series of forums, panel discussions and seminars featuring distinguished experts to share their insights on the latest technological trends.
AI, smart city and metaverse take lead
The fairs featured more than 50 events, including the InnoEX Forum, Under 30 – Tech Trends Symposium for the Next Generation, Asian Lighting Forum and the France in the Game – Sustainable Development for the Cities of Tomorrow organised by the So French So Innovative pavilion, and Collaborate & Build Data Ecology between Twin Cities organised by Hong Kong’s Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) and Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization.
I&T industry bullish on sales
Most of the 1,000-plus exhibitors and buyers who responded to independent surveys commissioned by the HKTDC at the fairs held optimistic views on upcoming business development and sales. They agreed that Hong Kong offered the advantage of connecting the world with the GBA and ASEAN.
According to the survey, 75% of respondents at InnoEX believed overall sales would increase in the next six months to a year while 86% expected a rise in the next one to two years.
Respondents believe the biggest advantage of Hong Kong's innovation sector lies in the city’s highly skilled and multicultural talent pool (26%), creative technology solutions (25%) and its unique role as an intermediary between Mainland China and the world (21%).
In addition, with the support of policies, many companies are committed to expanding into ASEAN markets With 38% of Hong Kong exhibitor respondents trying or planning to expand into the ASEAN countries, while 31% planned to expand into the GBA and 89% were optimistic about opening up businesses in the GBA market and 21% planned to expand into other non-GBA Chinese cities.
Smart products in demand
The Chief Marketing Officer of InnoEX virtual reality exhibitor Shanghai Yuweia Technology, Mr Ryan Zhu, said: “This fair was a huge success! Buyers from both domestic markets and abroad highly praised our products. In addition to meeting hundreds of potential clients, we received orders from Japan, Canada, the United States, Indonesia, Singapore and other places. We intend to take part in the fair again next year and bring our latest products to consumers worldwide.”
Government officials from ASEAN countries, the mainland and Hong Kong met exhibitors from various countries and regions at the ASEAN Smart City Development Roundtable to exchange ideas. Mr Lim Chinn Hwa, Senior Director of GovTech of Singapore, said: “Hong Kong and Singapore can potentially collaborate on investing in technologies relevant to smart cities. Together, we can also work on aspects, like handling the different data collected, dealing with the differences in the two places' governance approach, identifying talents who can serve the needs of both places and facilitating knowledge exchange. Sharing ideas and policies in these areas is highly beneficial.”
Hong Kong exhibitor Doss (H.K.) Limited promoted its Bluetooth speakers at the Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition). Sales Manager Ms Vivian Liang said: “We aim to explore new markets and strengthen relationships with existing customers through the fair. Face-to-face interactions with customers during the fair helped us foster long-lasting relationships and generate more orders. This fair produced positive outcomes. We met with about 50 new buyers, mostly from Europe and the United States. We anticipate receiving orders totalling US$100,000.”
Robust global purchasing power
Resumption of customs clearance between the mainland, Hong Kong and the world attracted buyers from all over the world, with robust sales activity generated on-site and online. Mr Arvine Quizon, Head of Technology of Leading Edge based in Australia travelled to Hong Kong and sourced at the Electronics Fair. He said: “It's a great place for horizon scanning, finding new trends and the focus for the industry. I’ve always loved the fair in Hong Kong. It’s the best in the world for sourcing new products. It’s great to be back since the pandemic and I’ll certainly be back more often.”
Exhibitor Ms Vivian Wu, General Manager of mainland firm Zhongshan Obals Lighting & Electric Co., Ltd obtained a huge order. She said: “We are thrilled to have received an onsite order worth US$3 million for our LED commercial lighting products from a long-term customer from Australia on the first day of the fair. Buyer traffic has been heavy at the fair. We have established more than 300 new contacts with quality buyers from new markets, such as Africa, Asia and the Middle East. And about 30 new buyers came from large companies, which have their own brands.”
Related links
InnoEX
HKTDC Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition)
HKTDC Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition)
