HKTDC in UAE to Promote Hong Kong’s Strengths

Ms. Candy Kwan, Sales Manager of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), is on a visit to the United Arab Emirates to highlight Hong Kong’s advantages and the importance of HKTDC’s upcoming trade fairs. During her stay in the UAE she is scheduled to meet several business sector entities to discuss matters of business co-operation to maximise trade potential between the UAE and Hong Kong.

“Hong Kong, characterised by free trade, world-class infrastructure and free flow of information, is an ideal trading platform,” said Ms. Kwan. “The UAE is the 21st trading partner of Hong Kong with total bilateral trade valued at US$4,389 million (AED16 billion) in 2008, 7% higher than in 2007. Total exports from Hong Kong to the UAE increased by 5% to US$2,711 million (AED1 billion) whilst import from the UAE to Hong Kong also grew to US$1,677 million, up 12% over 2007. To harness the potential of the UAE, we will market our fairs intensively to encourage more trade with this market.”

The proximity of Hong Kong to the Chinese mainland presents booming business opportunities for Emirati companies. China has the 3rd largest global economy, and its total external trade surged by 17.8% to US$2,561 billion (AED9, 407 billion) in 2008. Not only is Hong Kong a gateway to the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong’s intrinsic geographical, economic, political and social competitiveness make it the best trade and investment destination for UAE companies.

“HKTDC organises over 30 specialised trade fairs a year, from building materials, electronics, and lighting to watches and clocks, among others. To tap into the burgeoning Chinese market, we encourage more UAE companies to take part in our fairs,” added Ms. Kwan.

Providing details of a US$10.3 million (AED38 million) buyer sponsorship package for the UAE, Ms. Kwan said that the initiative offers subsidised air ticket and hotel stay packages for international buyers to trade fairs organised by HKTDC to be held up to March 2010. “Over 2,100 UAE buyers visited HKTDC fairs in 2008 and we are certain that this programme will drive more buyers to our fairs,” she said.

“HKTDC is staging several major international trade fairs in the first quarter of 2010 at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre. These fairs are of interest to UAE companies, some of which are the largest of their kind in Asia,” pointed out Ms. Kwan.

Running from 11 to 14 January, HKTDC Toys & Games Fair is the largest in Asia and the second largest in the world, attracting thousands of visitors year on year. More than 110 UAE buyers visited the toy fair in 2008, marking an increase of 28%. “Statistics show that toys and games are a major export from Hong Kong to the UAE. In 2008, Hong Kong exported a total of US$74 million (AED272 million) worth of toys, games and sporting goods to the UAE, up 2% over 2007. We thus encourage more UAE buyers to see for themselves the quality items on display. In 2010, the toys fair will also be held concurrently with the Hong Kong International Stationery Fair and the inaugural HKTDC Hong Kong Baby Products Fair, these three fairs ensure multiple sourcing opportunities for toys, stationery, baby products and more in one place, at one time,” said Ms. Kwan.

Hong Kong is an important exporter of clothing and jewellery in the world and UAE buyers are welcome to visit the trade fairs for sourcing. Asia’s largest HKTDC Hong Kong Fashion Week for Fall/Winter (18-21 January) is the global business platform for fashion and garment industry players, which houses various fabrics, embroidery to ready-to-wear fashion and accessories. This fair will also be held concurrently with HKTDC World Boutique, Hong Kong showcasing a consortium of branded and well-designed apparel, accessories and lifestyle products. Besides, pearls, precious and semi-precious stones and jewellery constitute 28% of all Hong Kong’s export to the UAE in 2008, making the HKTDC Hong Kong International Jewellery Show (5 to 9 March) a must-attend event for Emirati buyers.

“Our fairs are the best avenue for one-stop sourcing from parts to finished products, from traditional models to innovative designs. Therefore, fairs in Hong Kong present opportunities for companies in the UAE to source quality products, get market intelligence, make alliances and business contacts for expansion and development into new markets,” added Ms Kwan.

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