‘Import From Hong Kong to the UAE Touches USD 13.2 Billion in 2017’

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is looking for planning to take the trade relations between the UAE and Hong Kong to the next level with seven global trade fairs to be held in Hong Kong early next year.

The UAE is Hong Kong's 17th largest trading partner and 17th largest import supplier. The total import from Hong Kong to the UAE recorded USD 13.2 billion in the first 10 months of 2017. The imports from the UAE to the Hong Kong grew at 2.5 per cent over the last year to US$3.3 billion.

Speaking at a Press conference in Dubai, Mr. Abdul Aziz Nasser, Middle East Deputy Director of the HKTDC, said, “With the seven global trade events, we are offering ideal platforms for traders and suppliers from the UAE to expand their businesses into new markets. The UAE and Hong Kong have enjoyed robust bilateral trade relations on a range of products and services over the years.”

“We look forward to welcoming more Emirati corporations to explore business opportunities and tap into global markets through HKTDC exhibitions. The trade fairs target buyers, distributors and retailers from the UAE to come to Hong Kong for sourcing. HKTDC some 30 trade fairs in 2017 attracted over 36,000 exhibitors and over 700,000 visitors from all over the world,” he added.

The fairs are:

-           Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair (8 -11 January)               

-           Hong Kong Baby Products Fair (8 -11 January)

-           Hong Kong International Stationery Fair (8 -11 January)

-           Hong Kong International Licensing Show (8 -10 January)

-           Hong Kong Fashion Week for Fall/Winter (15 -18 January)

-           Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show (27 Feb - 3 March)

-           Hong Kong International Jewellery Show (1 - 5 March)

All these trade fairs will be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. There will be a series of events for visitors to keep abreast of the latest developments in the industry and strengthen their networks. The fairs will be categorised under various themed zones to optimise buyers’ sourcing experience.

The HKTDC gathers the latest market intelligence and form partnerships to develop business for corporations, and organises more than 30 exhibitions every year to provide a one-stop sourcing platform for buyers and suppliers from both economies to develop their business. The fair is well-structured in thematic zones focusing on various industry sectors – and to streamline buyer sourcing.

Every year, the HKTDC organises more than 30 exhibitions in Hong Kong. Eleven of them are the largest marketplaces of their kind in Asia, and among them five are the largest in the world, namely the Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show cum Hong Kong International Jewellery Show; Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair; Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair; Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Autumn Edition) cum electronic Asia; and Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition) cum Hong Kong International Outdoor & Tech Light Expo. 

The 49th Hong Kong Fashion Week for Fall/Winter expects some 1,400 exhibitors worldwide to present an array of new season garments, designer collections, accessories, fabrics and related professional services. As an important event in the global fashion calendar, the fair opens up opportunities for market expansion with reference to the attendance of some 15,000 buyers from 77 countries and regions in its last edition. The International Fashion Designers’ Showcase will gather cutting-edge collections of featured designers and fashion design talents around the globe.

The fair delivers an exciting line-up of fashion parades, which serve as marketing platforms for exhibitors to showcase their latest collections and designs to global buyers. Veterans from key international trend forecasting agencies and industry professionals will be invited to unveil the latest fashion trends and shed light on updated market information at seminars and forums, while the networking reception presents great opportunity for expanding business contacts.

The 44th Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair is from January 8 -11, 2018 is the largest fair of its kind in Asia and the second largest in the world. The Fair is expecting more than 2,000 global exhibitors to showcase a wide variety of products ranging from traditional toys to high-tech games, from famed names to emerging brands. In 2017, the fair has attracted over 46,000 buyers from 126 countries and regions.

The 18th edition of Hong Kong International Stationery Fair from January 8-11, 2018, jointly organised by the HKTDC and Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, expects more than 250 exhibitors from 11 countries and regions, and over 20,000 visitors from around the world. The fair will feature five product zones, including DIY Supplies, Gift Stationery, Kids & School, Pen and Paper and Smart Office.

The 9th edition of Hong Kong Baby Products Fair from January 8 -11, 2018 is expecting some 570 global exhibitors to showcase a comprehensive range of products for babies and toddlers, providing an ideal one-stop sourcing platform for buyers. In 2017, the fair has attracted over 30,000 international buyers.

The 5th Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show dedicated to raw jewellery materials will be open February 27 to March 3, 2018 at AsiaWorld-Expo, while the 35th Hong Kong International Jewellery Show featuring finished fine jewellery will run March 1 to 5, 2018. The twin shows are set to welcome a total of over 4,480 exhibitors, forming the world’s largest jewellery marketplace. In 2017, the shows attracted over 85,000 buyers from 144 countries and regions.

The Jewellery Show comprises several themed zones including top-tier jewellery collections at the Hall of Extraordinary, internationally renowned jewellery brands such as ELLE (Hong Kong) and Lao Feng Xiang (Chinese mainland) at the Hall of Fame, and innovative designer brands at Designer Galleria.

The newly launched IT Solutions for Jewellery zone gathers IT solution providers to demonstrate their latest innovations and applications for the jewellery industry, such as e-business solutions, augmented reality (AR) retail technology, inventory management and mobile applications, among others.

The Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show houses quality diamonds, precious gemstones and fine pearls in three themed zones respectively: Hall of Fine Diamonds, Treasures of Nature and Treasures of Ocean.

The Hong Kong Jewellery Design Competition returns next year to honour local designs of superior craftsmanship and creativity from the Student Group and the Open Group. An exquisite Gala Dinner as well as a series of seminars, buyer forums and networking events will also bring industry players the latest market intelligence and facilitate business exchange, among which TRENDVISION Jewellery + Forecasting will give a seminar on the latest jewellery trends.