Record numbers of buyers from the Chinese mainland flocked to Hong Kong’s major trade fairs this year, including the Gifts & Premium Fair in April

Results from this year's fairs indicate a toppling of the record set in 2001, when over 82,000 mainland buyers attended Hong Kong trade events, up 68 per cent on 2000.

"Based on organisers' feedback, we are expecting to see even stronger growth when 2002's results are collated," said Stanley Chu, chairman of the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Organisers' and Suppliers' Association. "We have seen individual reports from major event organisers of increases up to 85 per cent."

At the same time, mainland companies are increasingly using Hong Kong events to promote their businesses globally. The number of Chinese mainland companies exhibiting at Hong Kong fairs was up by over 50 per cent year on year in 2001, at 3,061. Since 1997, that number has soared by 182 per cent.

Robust growth in mainland buyers this year included: 
* Hong Kong Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2002 - up 75 per cent
* Hong Kong Toys and Games Fair 2002 - up 35 per cent
* Asia Pacific Leather Fair 2002 (Fashion and Finished Products April show) - up 85 per cent
* Asia Pacific Leather Fair 2002 (Raw Materials and Manufacturing) - up 60 per cent
* Interstoff Asia 2002 (autumn and spring fairs combined) - up 31 per cent
* Hong Kong Gifts and Premium Fair 2002 - up 24 per cent
* Hong Kong International Jewellery Show - up 37 per cent

	Stanley Chu, chairman of the HKECOSA, says Hong Kong remains the most important trade fair centre for China and the region

One reason for the surge from the mainland was the streamlining of Business Visa procedures early this year, making cross-border travel easier. China's WTO entry will further boost numbers, Mr Chu said.

"Lower import tariffs help foreign consumer products to sell better in China, and retail chains from the mainland are coming to Hong Kong to source foreign products. Manufacturers in the Chinese mainland also rely on exhibitions in Hong Kong to look for overseas buyers."

Mr Chu concluded: "Hong Kong remains far and away the most important trade fair centre for China and the region. We have first class exhibition facilities and organisers, backed up by tourism and financial infrastructure that is second to none."

Related link:
HKECOSA www.exhibitions.org.hk
Hong Kong Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2002 www.hkfashionweekfw.com/indexms.htm
Hong Kong Toys and Games Fair 2002 www.hktoyfair.com/
Asia Pacific Leather Fair 2002 (Fashion and Finished Products April show) www.aplf.com/en/index.asp?site_id=5&sess_id=29
Asia Pacific Leather Fair 2002 (Raw Materials and Manufacturing) www.aplf.com/en/index.asp?site_id=6&sess_id=36
Interstoff Asia 2002 www1.interstoff.com/intst_asia0103/?MIval=framesets&language=gb
Hong Kong Gifts and Premium Fair 2002 www.hkgiftspremiumfair.com/
Hong Kong International Jewellery Show www.hkjewellery.com/