Hong Kong is a great jumping off point for US companies wanting to do business with the Chinese mainland and other Asian markets, according to an international trade specialist.

Joe Ruland, project manager of the International Catalog Exhibition Program at the U.S. Department of Commerce recently organised the New Products USA 2004 Show in Hong Kong where 150 small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) from the states of Florida, Georgia, Missouri and New Jersey took part.

The four-stop exhibition - Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Kuala Lumpur and Kaoshaong - was organised in conjunction with the Commercial Section of the U.S. Consulate in Hong Kong.

Mr Ruland said: "The exhibition in Hong Kong usually draws top quality visitors who are serious about business. We usually get very good contacts here for our participating companies who are looking for agents, distributors, strategic partners and end-users in the Hong Kong and China markets."

The 150 firms come from various industries ranging from agriculture chemicals and consumer electronics to building materials, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, biotechnology and auto parts.

"This International Catalog Program has run for about 20 years and it has helped a lot of SMEs that otherwise would not have exposure in the Asian markets," added Mr Ruland.

The U.S. Commercial Service assists U.S. Exporters by providing market research, trade leads and business contacts.
 
The US is Hong Kong's second largest exports market, after the Chinese mainland. Hong Kong's total exports to the US rose by 5 per cent in the first seven months of 2004. The US bought mainly clothing and clothing accessories, toys, games and sporting goods, telecommunications equipment and timepieces from Hong Kong. On the other hand, the US was the fourth largest source of imports for Hong Kong in the first half of 2004. Main purchases included semi-conductors office accessories, telecommunications and electrical equipment and jewellery.

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U.S. Commercial Service Hong Kong