Enterprising idea connects global trade (hktdc.com)


	The sourcing guide Hong Kong Enterprise has notched up 40 years of service to world trade

The city's oldest trade magazine of its kind, Hong Kong Enterprise, celebrates its 40th anniversary in the only way it knows how – by providing an even more comprehensive sourcing guide on a wide range of merchandise to buyers around the world.

Boasting an average readership of 150,000 per issue, the 40th anniversary October issue is over 1,000 pages thick. It is set to be even bigger as Hong Kong suppliers gear up to meet global needs.

The publisher, Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), set up on October 1, 1966 as the marketing arm for Hong Kong manufacturers and traders, wanted a flagship publication to showcase the city's products. Hence, the first copy of Hong Kong Enterprise was published one year later in October 1967.

"For 40 years, Hong Kong Enterprise became the magazine for Hong Kong's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to showcase their products and make an impact in international markets," said Clare Wong, HKTDC's Director of Publications and E-Commerce. "At the same time, the magazine provided immense sourcing opportunities to buyers around the world."

First of many

The ongoing success of Hong Kong Enterprise over the years has spawned more publications and services which have proved essential business and sourcing tools for suppliers and buyers. These include some 14 trade publications, the www.tdctrade.com sourcing website and a slew of trade fairs with customised on-site sourcing service – known collectively as the Integrated Marketplace – that support local enterprises and overseas buyers.

The latest addition is World Enterprise, launched in January this year as the international edition of Hong Kong Enterprise. "World Enterprise extends the reach of Hong Kong Enterprise, giving buyers around the world access to merchandise from international suppliers, particularly suppliers from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and other manufacturing centres worldwide," said Ms Wong.

With World Enterprise, HKTDC's Integrated Marketplace concept has taken a considerable leap forward. Each advertisement in the new publication includes a dedicated advertiser URL which takes buyers to a web page on tdctrade.com where they will find a profile of the advertiser and product photos. Currently, all 14 HKTDC product magazines have included the dedicated advertiser URLs – a marriage of convenience for buyers and suppliers alike.

Staying ahead

Sunnex Products Ltd, Kinway Garments Ltd and Hip Lik Packaging Products Fty Ltd are among some of the many Hong Kong companies which have grown with Hong Kong Enterprise for nearly four decades.

Like the sourcing magazine and HKTDC's online services, Sunnex is constantly changing its strategies to meet the challenges of an increasingly competitive global environment. "We are speeding up product development to keep pace with market trends," said Michael Yu, Director for the manufacturer of stainless steel catering, household items and plastic pallets.

Hip Lik Packaging Products Fty Ltd has seen the company grow from a small factory with several workers on its 1969 establishment, to being a 1,000-employee industry leader today. "We are number one in the clear packaging league in Asia Pacific in terms of quantity," said General Manager William Suen. "We have a first-class reputation in the US and Europe, and we fully intend to maintain our leadership position by moving with the times."

Kinway Garments is also moving with the times. "We invest a lot in automation to improve quality and reduce costs," said General Manager Philip Au, noting that investment in technology and equipment accounts for 5-10 per cent of turnover each year.

Hong Kong Enterprise has been creating opportunities for Hong Kong companies especially SMEs for 40 years. As the world turns its eye to the Asia Pacific region and the promise of the vast mainland market, Hong Kong Enterprise and the Integrated Marketplace jointly provide a value-added platform to international companies wanting to source and do business in this part of the world.