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Hong Kong showcased its innovation and technology (I&T) strengths at three fairs last week, including the first-ever InnoEX co-organised by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), held concurrently with the Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition) and Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition).

As the Belt and Road Initiative reaches its 10th anniversary the international intermodal railway – the China-Laos Express connecting Chengdu, Chongqing and Vientiane, the capital of Laos – has gone into operation, greatly improving the flow of people and logistics between Mainland China and Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) members, and has also led more and more mainland companies to choose to expand their business to Southeast Asia.

To introduce a technology brand well established in Europe, but new to Asia, Martino Criveller, Company Director, Passo Avanti Limited, made use of the shop window provided by Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) trade fairs.

Hong Kong start-up RaSpect specialises in remote building inspections using drones to gather the data and artificial intelligence technology to process it – faster, more accurate, more comprehensive and safer method than traditional manual building inspections.

Logistics was one of the hardest-hit industries during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the China Shanghai Containerized Freight Index increasing more than five-fold between June 2020 and January 2022 – then plunging back to its 2019 level by last month.

The year opened with a flurry of activity for the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) as the first events held after the reopening of the border with Mainland China and easing of COVID-19 restrictions on overseas travel drew heavy traffic.