- 75 Hong Kong exhibitors to participate in International Autumn Trade Fair (IATF) 2010
About 54 percent of the Hong Kong’s exports to the Middle East region were to the UAE, making it the largest single export partner of the South East Asian island nation, according to the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).
Total exports from Hong Kong to the United Arab Emirates were US$ 2,261,918 between January and November 2009, out of the total exports of US$ 4,206,029 to the entire Middle East region.
According to the same source, re-exports of Hong Kong products from the UAE stood at $2,258,877, while and the imports from UAE to Hong Kong was $1,579,871 in the same period of time.
Hong Kong will be part of the International Autumn Trade Fair (IATF’10) for the sixth consecutive year on an impressive scale with 75 exhibitors. The strong participation comes against the backdrop of the increasing trade between Hong Kong and the UAE and the region in general.
Satish Khanna, General Manager of Al Fajer Information & Services, organizer of the show, said: “HK pavilion is being organised under the banner of Hong Kong Trade Development Council and will display a variety of consumer products. The three day Autumn Fair, a leading regional buyer-seller meeting ground for the consumer goods segment, will feature around 600 exhibitors from 25 countries. The exhibition, ranked as one of the more popular general trade fairs in the region, will occupy an area of 13,000 square meters.”
Over the last 23 years, IATF has been recognised as a robust regional business platform for the global consumer goods industry keen to expand their footprint in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Khanna said: “IATF has grown as a significant exhibition brand serving the niche sector of consumer goods. Over the last couple of years, the show has become more attractive to global consumer goods companies with the rise in spending power of the region, particularly the GCC. This year too, most of the regular exhibitors of the show have returned with new products.”
The Hong Kong Pavilion at IATF will showcase a wide variety of Hong Kong consumer products, including gifts, premium items, electronics, house ware, household products, fashion and fashion accessories. The presence of quality Hong Kong manufacturers and exporters will provide a great opportunity for entrepreneurs from the Middle East and North Africa to meet potential suppliers from Hong Kong. Various value-added services will be also provided to visitors, including a free business matching service to help pair up buyers with the right Hong Kong suppliers. A networking luncheon will also be organized on the first day of the fair to allow buyers to meet and mingle with the Hong Kong companies.
"Hong Kong is renowned as a supplier of quality products with superior designs and Dubai is Hong Kong's most important trading partners in the Middle East region. We are very committed to this market and will continue to help promote bilateral trade between Hong Kong and the Middle East", said Stephen Wong, Regional Director, Middle East and Africa, HKTDC. "Although we have witnessed a slight dip in the trade volumes over the last year, we believe there will continue to be great potential for closer business ties between Hong Kong and Dubai over the longer term."
IATF10 will unveil an exciting mix of products comprising cosmetics, foodstuffs, electronics, household appliances, plastic household products, toys, stationery, electrical items, handicrafts, carpets, garments, textiles, house ware, kitchen ware, sanitary ware, novelties, machinery, machine tools, hardware accessories and diary products.
Organizing the Hong Kong pavilion at the show, HKTDC is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based traders, manufacturers and service providers. With more than 40 offices worldwide, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China and Asia. The HKTDC also organize trade fairs and business missions to connect companies with opportunities in Hong Kong and the mainland.
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