Dynamic Business Platform Showcases Innovative & Green Products

HONG KONG, Apr 27, 2016 - (ACN Newswire) - Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair opened today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). The concurrent Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair also kicked off today at the AsiaWorld-Expo. Both fairs continue through 30 April, featuring a total of more than 4,700 exhibitors from 36 countries and regions showcasing innovative and eco-friendly products and solutions.

"The Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair continues to be the world's largest fair for gifts and premium products. This is testament to the fair's position as a major sourcing and promotion platform for the industry worldwide," said Benjamin Chau, HKTDC Deputy Executive Director. "The concurrent Printing & Packaging Fair creates business synergy with the Gifts Fair. Together they provide a wide range of choices in gifts, innovative designs, green printing and intricate packaging products and solutions, matching the sourcing needs of global buyers."

A total of 171 buying missions from 75 countries and regions are attending the event, generating abundant business opportunities. Comprising more than 13,200 buyers, the buying missions come from major markets, such as Europe, the United States, Japan, Korea, Australia and the Chinese mainland, as well as such developing markets as Argentina, Brazil, Indonesia and Vietnam. These include teams of buyers from internationally renowned companies such as Sears Holdings Corporation and Hobby Lobby Stores from the US, Koryo Management Production and Lexibook Sourcing from France, Tri-Stage from Japan, Shinsegae Department Store from Korea and Panpuri Company Ltd and B.Foods Product International Co. Ltd. from Thailand.

Green products and houseplants trending

Co-organised with The Hong Kong Exporters' Association (HKEA), the 31st HKTDC Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair features a record of more than 4,300 exhibitors from 35 countries and regions. The fair also welcomes new exhibitors from Estonia and South Africa. Aligning with the sourcing needs of buyers, four new thematic zones are launched this year, namely, Trophies & Medals, BYOB (Bring Your Own Bag), Photographic & Camera Accessories and Art & DIY Gifts. The Art & DIY Gifts zone showcases a range of tools for artistic design and DIY, all presented with a personal touch.

In recent years, green products have become a new growth area of the market. As such, more energy-efficient products are being exhibited at the fair this year. Among the renowned eco-friendly brands, Hong Kong exhibitor green & associates (HK) Ltd. has brought a range of gift ideas made from food waste such as coffee grounds and egg shells. They include a series of biodegradable pens made entirely of food waste.

Besides eco-friendly products, consumers are also introducing more green features into their homes. The market for houseplants, especially those that require little care and small space, is blooming. Hong Kong exhibitor Original Forest Creative Company Ltd. is displaying a moss terrarium, which is easy to clean and maintain. Another local exhibitor Eco Concepts presents a houseplant gardening gadget designed by Sebastian Jansson, winner of the "Promise of the Year Award" at the Muoto 2013 Gala in Finland. The product is equipped with an active growing technology that hastens the growth of plants. Consumers may also try growing some herbs or vegetables to add a little more flavour to their kitchen.

Dedicated zones spotlight innovative products and local designs

In a competitive market, innovative designs help branded products stand out from the crowd. Both the Gifts Fair and Printing & Packaging Fair incorporate themed zones devoted to showcasing branded products and innovative designs. At the Gifts Fair, the Hall of Fine Designs is dedicated to promoting brands, with more than 130 globally renowned gifts and design brands on display. These include B.Duck, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, Moleskine, Nu Design and PO: Selected. The Avenue of Inspiration returns to the fair this year with more original products from local entrepreneurs, who are keen to attract attention of international buyers. World of Gift Ideas is where you will find a wide range of innovative and trendy products. Meanwhile, the HKEA pavilion welcomes some 170 Hong Kong exporters, with the Isle of Originality and Smart Design Village zones promoting original designs and home-grown brands.

In view of the keen demand for small order sourcing, the Gifts Fair continues to feature the hktdc.com Small Orders display at the Expo Drive entrance of the HKCEC. This year, a total of 360 counters are offering more than 2,500 products for order in quantities of between five and 1,000 units.

High-end branding solutions and the growth of 3D printing

Organised by the HKTDC and CIEC Exhibition Company (HK) Ltd, the 11th Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair is underway at the AsiaWorld-Expo. The fair features a record of some 430 exhibitors presenting the latest printing and packaging products, materials, technology and related services. The De Luxe Zone encompasses high quality and innovative printing and packaging solutions that are designed to meet the growing demand for brand-building and packaging of high-end consumer goods, such as jewellery and cosmetics.

With rising concerns about the eco-friendly elements of products, whether the packaging can be reused or recycled has also become a key factor affecting the choice of consumers. The Green Printing & Packaging Solutions zone gathers a range of sustainable printing and packaging items. Throughout the fairground, visitors can easily identify other exhibitors that provide eco-friendly solutions by the placement of green-leaf insignia on their booths. Moreover, along with the advancement and growing popularity of 3D printing technology, the inaugural 3D Printing Display area is launched this year to spotlight a series of 3D printing-related products.

Awards and product demos draw buyers

The networking and awards presentation ceremony of Hong Kong Smart Gifts Design Awards will be held this evening to celebrate innovative gift ideas. Winning pieces are displayed at Hall 5C-E08 of the HKCEC during the fair period. At the Printing & Packaging Fair, the launch ceremony for the 28th Hong Kong Print Awards took place this afternoon, with finalists' works on display at AsiaWorld-Expo.

To promote the latest products to global buyers, the HKTDC is organising a series of product demonstrations and launch pads. Exhibitor and buyer forums, seminars and networking events also enable industry players to explore networking opportunities and keep their finger on the pulse of market trends. Topics covered during seminars at the fair include new trends in gifts & premium retailing, testing and certification services for gifts & premium and credit risk management, cross-border e-commerce strategy, real-time data management and cleaner production for the printing industry as well as a 3D printing workshop.

Buyers may enjoy a free shuttle bus service running between the Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair at the HKCEC and the Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair at AsiaWorld-Expo.

Fair Details:

Gifts & Premium FairHours: 27-29 April (Wed-Fri), 9:30am-6:30pm; 30 April (Sat), 9:30am-5pmPress Registration: Harbour Road Entrance and Expo Drive Entrance, HKCEC

Printing & Packaging FairHours: 27 April (Wed), 10:30am-5:30pm; 28-29 April (Thu-Fri), 9:30am-5:30pm; 30 April (Sat), 9:30am-3:30pmPress Registration: Room 105, AsiaWorld-Expo Fair WebsitesGifts & Premium Fair: www.hktdc.com/hkgiftspremiumfair Printing & Packaging Fair: www.hktdc.com/fair/hkprintpackfair-en

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About HKTDC

A statutory body established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based traders, manufacturers and services providers. With more than 40 offices globally, including 13 on the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China and throughout Asia. The HKTDC also organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to provide companies, particularly SMEs, with business opportunities on the mainland and in overseas markets, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and digital channels including the media room. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Follow us on Google+, Twitter @hktdc, LinkedIn.

Google+: https://plus.google.com/+hktdcTwitter: http://www.twitter.com/hktdcLinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/hong-kong-trade-development-council

Source: HKTDC

Contact:

HKTDC
Communication and Public Affairs Department
Joe Kainz
Tel: +852 2584 4216
Email: joe.kainz@hktdc.org

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