7 October 2015–Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) Deputy Executive Director Benjamin Chau highlighted opportunities for Indian companies at the HKTDC’s world-class trade fairs, duringa press briefing in New Delhi today. Mr Chau underscored the robust bilateral trade relations between Hong Kong and India, adding that trade fairs offered a good platform to boost business.
“India and Hong Kong have a long and close business relationship. While Hong Kong is well-positioned to help enhance India’s external trade in global markets, the HKTDC plays an important role in boosting trade and strengthening bilateral links between India and Hong Kong,” said Mr Chau.
India is Hong Kong’s seventh-largest trading partner. In 2014, the value of bilateral trade reached US$24 billion.The trade relationship is particularly strong in electronics, telecommunications equipment, computers and Jewellery. Under the framework of the “Belt and Road Initiative” by the Chinese government, Asia, Europe and Africa are connected to enhance the orderly free-flow of economic factors and the efficient allocation of resources. “Being an information and market intelligence hub, the HKTDC has identified India as targeted country to radiate South Asia”, Mr Chau added. Hong Kong serves as the best springboard for Indian enterprises to tap into the Chinese mainland and other Asian markets.
In Hong Kong, the HKTDC organises more than 30 fairs annually, forming 10 largest marketplaces of their kind in Asia, with electronics, jewellery, gifts and watches&clocks being the largest of their kind in the world. HKTDC fairs attracted more than 36,000 exhibitors and over 753,000 buyers in 2014/15, enhancing the city’s reputation as Asia’s trade fair capital. In 2014/15, over 780 exhibitors and nearly 12,200 buyers from India participated in various HKTDC fairs.
New elements are introduced to the fairs amid the ever-changing market environment. The HKTDC continues enhancing the fairs to reinforce Hong Kong’s position as Asia’s premier hub for business and trade. Mr Chau highlighted major fairs covering lighting, fashion, wine and food, which offerideal platforms for Indian traders to expand their business into new markets.
Supported by a combination of international quality exhibitors and buyers, the fairs offer one-stop marketing and sourcing platforms, and represent prime opportunities for traders to gather the latest market intelligence, and to form partnerships and develop their business through Hong Kong.
