Belt and Road Opportunities & Trendsetting Products Spotlighted
11 November 2015 – Close to 100 companies from Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland took part in the third edition of the Lifestyle Expo in Dubai, which ended yesterday (10 Nov) at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Deira. The event was co-organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), the official trade promotion organsations of Hong Kong and the mainland respectively. During the two-day fair, the exhibitors connected with about 1,200 importers, distributors, retailers and buyers from the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Africa and other regions, including such corporate heavyweights as Jashanmal, the Nikai Group and JK Sons Group.
Growing Hong Kong-UAE trade links
Showcasing a range of fashion and accessories, watches and clocks as well as electronics, household items and gift items from Hong Kong, Tianjin, Fujian and Guangdong, the Lifestyle Expo aimed to build new business links related to China’s Belt and Road Initiative. China is the UAE’s top trading partner, with bilateral trade expected to reach US$100 billion in 2015. The UAE is also Hong Kong’s largest export market in the Middle East. In 2014, Hong Kong’s exports to the UAE reached US$6.2 billion, an increase of 25 per cent year-on-year.
Belt and Road opportunities shine
Speaking at the opening ceremony, HKTDC Council Member Michael Hui said there are enormous business opportunities emerging from China’s Belt and Road Initiative, adding that both Hong Kong and Dubai are well positioned to benefit from it, given their strong global business and financial links. Mr Hui stressed that the HKTDC is committed to exploring business opportunities in the Middle East for Hong Kong SMEs, while also helping UAE and Middle East firms to connect with the opportunities in Hong Kong and stay updated on the latest Asian market intelligence.
Apart from providing new sourcing opportunities, Lifestyle Expo in Dubai brought together business people from UAE, Hong Kong and the mainland during networking sessions, while the HKTDC arranged close to 1,400 one-to-one business-matching sessions at the expo.
Expo generates promising contacts
Danny Yick, Managing Director of Alco International Limited, is very satisfied with the expo and the business results for his company. “We’ve received many serious enquiries and will follow up when we return to Hong Kong. Compared with Indonesia, I think UAE market is even more suitable for my products.”
“The expo is a good platform for us to promote our high-tech electric home appliances. Middle East buyers now understand more about our tech manufacturing capabilities,” said Jack Lo, Deputy General Manager, Jiangmen Idear – Hanyu Joint – Stock Company Limited.
Trendsetting Lifestyle Products
A number of leading Hong Kong brands took part in the expo, including renowned food company Lee Kum Kee, fashion house Cocomojo and watch manufacturer 2CAN. More than 20 companies were also featured in the hktdc.com Small Orders showcase, where buyers can place orders of between five and 1,000 pieces.
A FASHIONALLY zone was also set up to highlight Hong Kong’s innovative young fashion designers including Derek Chan, Walter Kong and Jessica Lau, Matt Hui and Mountain Yam. About 40 award-winning printing, gifts and technology products were also on show.
Flagship promotional event
As one of the HKTDC’s signature emerging-market events, Lifestyle Expos have a successful track record in promoting trade between companies from Hong Kong and new markets worldwide. Previous Lifestyle Expos have been held in Budapest, Hungary; Warsaw, Poland; Moscow, Russia; Mumbai, India; Jakarta, Indonesia; and Istanbul, Turkey.
Hub–to–Hub collaboration
To spotlight and enhance the “Hub-to-Hub” synergy between Hong Kong and Dubai, the HKTDC, in collaboration with Dubai Exports and other Business Councils in Dubai, staged a two-day forum concurrently with the Lifestyle Expo. HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Raymond Yip said Hong Kong can help UAE companies capitalise on opportunities on various fronts, especially infrastructure, construction and finance, logistics, professional services, overseas direct investment and Chinese outbound investment.
Potential for partnership
Mohammed Noufel, General Manager, MN International said the fair met the company’s expectations. “We visited many potential suppliers who had interesting ranges of new lighting tools. We had meetings with potential business partners and have very interesting leads.”
Dileep Lal, CEO, Infocare System, took part in previous expos but said this one was the best so far. “The new Forum was very informative and interesting, where we were able to meet many prospects in our electronics sectors as well as gain new information about business in Hong Kong and Dubai, and how to make the best use out of it.”
Mr Yip is leading a business delegation to Saudi Arabia (11-14 Nov), aiming to strengthen bilateral relations and support Hong Kong traders to tap into the Saudi Arabia market by collecting market information and expanding networks. Mr Yip, together with more than 30 Hong Kong businesspeople, is meeting government officials, representatives of trade associations and business chambers in Riyadh to discuss areas for collaboration. The delegates will also visit major retail districts to better understand consumer and product trends.
Expo Website: www.lifestyleexpoinfo.com/dubai
About the HKTDC
A statutory body established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based traders, manufacturers and services providers. With more than 40 offices globally, including 13 on the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China and throughout Asia. The HKTDC also organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to provide companies, particularly SMEs, with business opportunities on the mainland and in overseas markets, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and digital channels including the media room. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus.