Retail in Asia

In Trends

ICT Expo closed in HK yesterday

More than 3,150 exhibitors from 28 countries and regions took part in the HKTDC Hong Kong International Electronics Fair (Spring Edition) and the HKTDC International ICT Expo, which opened on Wednesday and ended yesterday at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).

The twin fairs, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), showcased the latest electronics products, alongside cutting-edge information and communication technology products, offering participants a great variety of sourcing opportunities across the two sectors.

The Electronics Fair, Asia’s largest spring electronics show, features group pavilions from mainland China, Korea and Taiwan, while Austria, Cyprus and South Africa are participating for the first time.

Highlights included eight new products zones, including Eco-friendly Products, Mobile Devices and Accessories, and Smart Homes. The fair’s Hall of Fame returned with nearly 500 leading brands, including AEG, Coby, Desay, Foryou, Goodway, Haier, Lenco, Motorola, Pierre Cardin, Rollei, Telefunken, Tunbow and Westinghouse.

Seminars, product-launch sessions and networking events during the four-day fair spotlighted the latest trends in consumer electronics technology, including quality standards, safety regulations, testing and certification, and mobile device apps.

The fair also unveiled a new Small-Order Zone, offering exhibitors and buyers a unique opportunity to sample thousands of products in a series of showcases at the Expo Drive Entrance.

"Buying in small quantity allows me to better control inventory," says US buyer Sam Naimian of High Secret. Emerging markets are also showing interest in the new concept. "In view of the economic uncertainties in the coming season, I would rather buy in small quantities," says Joanna Sikorska, Senior Fashion Buyer at Poland’s LPP SA.

ICT Expo welcomed group pavilions from seven countries and regions: Australia, Canada, mainland China, India, Taiwan and new participants Japan and Malaysia.

Buyers enjoyed the latest technology products and services in two new zones, Business Applications on Cloud and Mobile, and Mobile Marketing.

Returning zones included Cloud Computing and Open Source, Digital Living and Multimedia, E-Logistics and Retail Technologies, Enterprise Solutions and IT Outsourcing, Smartphones and Tablets, Telecoms, Networking and Wireless Technologies and Home-Grown Innovations. The latter spotlights innovative exhibits from the Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks, research and tertiary institutions and Hong Kong ICT Award winners.

Forums and seminars during the fair focused on ICT solutions for companies, business opportunities in the cloud-computing and mobile-apps market, as well as retail technology and e-commerce, offering plenty of partnership opportunities in the growing ICT business.

In 2011, Hong Kong exported HKD1.85 trillion (USD237 billion) worth of electronics products, up 9 percent over 2010. Last year, exports of information and communication technology products totalled HKD379b (USD49b), up 14 percent over the previous year.