Trade Fair: Buyers come from all corners of the globe (hktdc.com)


Bryan Griffiths of Loveheart Bears makes regular trips to Hong Kong trade fairs to find reliable suppliers

Hong Kong trade fairs consistently attract thousands of buyers around the world each year establishing the city as a premier sourcing hub. The recently ended Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair (28 April - 1 May), Asia's largest trade fair and the third largest of its kind in the world attracted almost 55,000 buyers with half of them coming from overseas.

One of the many buyers at this year's fair was Bryan Griffiths, managing director of Loveheart Bears, an innovative UK company which lets people send personalised bears to their loved ones anywhere in the world through online orders.

"Our bears are message-carriers. And they last longer than flowers," explained Mr Griffiths.

"We recently worked with the navy, so wherever our forces are, they can place an order with us, and we send their loved ones back home a bear with a personalised message embroidered on them. We receive orders from everywhere, including Iraq."

The role that Hong Kong plays in this business of bringing people together is crucial.

"We source everything for our bear business here - from the various types of teddy bears to the jumpers and the t-shirts they wear," he explained.

"We find that the suppliers in Hong Kong are getting better and there are a couple of companies whose quality is truly first-class. Even with the import duties added on, it's still a worthwhile solution to come here to source."

"Hong Kong's trade fairs are fantastic. They're very international. The mixture here is quite remarkable, and there's plenty to choose from," said Mr. Griffiths.

One stop shop


Jack Harjani of Nirvana from the island of Curacao finds the variety of products at Hong Kong trade fairs tremendous

Another buyer was Jack Harjani, a businessman from the secluded island of Curacao, a part of the Netherlands Antilles in the Caribbean located off the coast of Venezuela.

His shop, Nirvana, selling everything from postcards to gifts, caters to the many tourists who land on the island for some rest and recreation. Mr Harjani comes to Hong Kong at least twice a year for sourcing.

"I come here every year, because Hong Kong is a one-stop shop for buying, and consolidating my orders. Business is convenient with the English language spoken here, the sense of free trade and the easy convertibility of currencies."

He also finds Hong Kong's trade fairs a good place to find new ideas for products.

"The variety of products available is tremendous. And TDC's fairs are truly one of the best shows, because of the quality of the exhibitors, and also their sheer quantity," he explained.

"Hong Kong provides easy access to suppliers of all kinds of products, at very competitive rates. Add to that the efficiency of shipping from here to any part of the world, and business is easy," said Mr Harjani.

The next Hong Kong Gifts and Premium Fair will be held from April 28 - May 1, 2006.