A record 48,000 buyers visited this year's Hong Kong Electronics Fair

Hong Kong is the preferred location for trade fairs in the Asia-Pacific region, according to an overwhelming 37 per cent of respondents to a survey by Business Strategies Group Asia (BSG). The other preferred trade fair locations were split among Taipei (second at 16 per cent) followed by Guangzhou, Singapore, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Beijing and "others."

Almost 90 per cent said they do business in the 12 months after an initial meeting with exhibitors at trade fairs in Hong Kong, and 60 per cent of this business is to the value of US$100,000 or more. Well-organised fairs, high quality participants, convenient and easily accessible location, excellent English levels and a safe environment that s conducive to business were top reasons for the choice of Hong Kong.

The most important sourcing event of the year is the Hong Kong Electronics Fair, according to respondents, who said that the Fair is also the best channel for Chinese mainland factories to enter the US, European or other international markets.

Held 13-16 October 2003, the fair was attended by a record 48,000 buyers this year, according to the Trade Development Council (TDC).  Close to 27,000 buyers were from overseas. More than 80 per cent of buyers said business was better than last year, and orders were up 25 per cent, according to a survey carried out by AC Nielsen. Some 56 per cent of exhibitors said they received more orders this year.

In addition to orders, the exhibition also brought direct benefits to the local economy - some HK$450 million (US$57.8 million). According to the survey, buyers spend an average of HK$15,870 (US$2,000) during their stay in Hong Kong, while exhibitors spend an average of HK$20,040 (US$2,575).

TDC will launch a spring version of the Hong Kong Electronics Fair from April 14 to 17 from 2004. Close to 80 per cent of buyers interviewed said they would visit the spring electronics show next year.

Hong Kong's total exports of electronics products increased by 22 per cent for the first eight month of 2003 to US$58 billion.