Eco Expo Asia 2009 Enjoyed Record-Breaking Exhibitor Participation And Visitor Attendance
The fourth edition of Eco Expo Asia, Hong Kong's only trade fair devoted to the Asian environmental protection industry, ended successfully on 31 October 2009 at AsiaWorld-Expo. The four-day event attracted 10,102 visitors from 105 countries and regions, demonstrating a massive 67% increase in attendance on last year. Of these 4,371 were overseas visitors, accounted for 43.3% of the overall attendance at the fair. The 2009 edition drew together 200 exhibitors from 19 countries and regions, which was also up significantly from 2008 by 63%.
The show was opened by the Secretary for the Environment of the Government of the HKSAR, the Honourable Edward Yau, JP. In his opening speech, he remarked, "The growth of the Expo owes much to the heightened awareness of the well-being of the environment. Today's event is a good example that green makes economic sense. There are tremendous business opportunities in going green. It is a demonstration that business can contribute to a better environment."
Visitors witnessed fair growth and see the show as an effective sourcing platform for eco products and technologies
Visitors also witnessed the growth of the fair. Ms Philine Bracht, Visiting Associate Professor, School of Design of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University said, "This is my fourth time to visit Eco Expo Asia, and each year the fair has grown bigger and more professional. On display is a good range of products and technologies, some of which are useful for my industrial design project."
Another fourth time visitor Mr Ronald Chung from Net Creation Enterprise Limited (Hong Kong) said, "In terms of both number and quality of exhibitors and visitors, the fair gets better and better every year. I came here to see the latest re-cycling technologies and eco-product trends, and have been able to source biodegradable utensils easily too."
Norwegian visitor Mr Christian Dugal came for the first time. "I was pleased with the standard of domestic and international exhibitors participating in the show. During the fair, I was able to easily source environmentally friendly plastic materials and biodegradable products, which is great as I work in the food industry."
Exhibitors impressed by visitor relevancy and professionalism
The 2009 fair also drew a record number of buying missions from around the globe. Over 40 buyer delegations representing more than 490 companies and 800 delegates visited the fair.
Eco Expo Asia exhibitors commended the high calibre of the visitors attending the fair. Gradko International Ltd specialises in producing air pollution monitoring systems and was participating under the UK Pavilion. The company's Export Director, Ms Sheryll Curtis said, "By taking part in the fair, we hoped to build up our business in Hong Kong and extend into the Chinese mainland market. The fair received a good mix of visitors, who have knowledge of the industry. We have made contact with a couple of environmental consultants, which was exactly what we wanted to achieve."
Mr Matthieu Boulanger, Business Development Manager of Maestro Wireless Solutions Limited, which was participating under the French Pavilion, echoed these sentiments. "Most of the attendees are serious buyers and industry players, asking relevant questions. They are very interested to learn more about how our wireless communication technology can be applied to saving energy and energy efficiency. We are very close to getting a deal with a Japanese client who actually wants to launch our service in Japan next month."
Mr Vesa Makipaa, Director of Hong Kong-based company Fintrade-Mercer Advisor Ltd, whose headquarters are in Helsinki, Finland was also very satisfied with the fair. "By the second day of trade we have already made some great deals and received a lot of interest from visitors from the Chinese mainland as well as other countries in the region. Visitors here are of a very high standard. For sure, we will be joining again next year."
Mr Chau Kwok Keung, Manager of Guangdong Luyou Environmental Protection Technology Co Ltd, which specialises in sludge treatment was equally enthusiastic about returning to participate next year. "We have met with many overseas and Chinese mainland water treatment companies which have expressed cooperation interest with us. And, unexpectedly, through talking to visitors we have found that our technology can be extended to other applications too. The fair is an effective trading platform for us, so we will definitely be participating again next year."
While Mr Victor Stern, Managing Director of Inagrosa SA, a Spanish company with an office newly set up in Hong Kong, added, "The relevancy and quality of visitors has been high. We have met with a lot of people in the waste management industry from Hong Kong and overseas. They seem very interested in employing our systems and technology to improve their service and efficiencies. We will definitely consider returning again next year."
HSBC Eco Asia Conference well received by audience
Concurrently held with the fair was the three-day HSBC Eco Asia Conference, which featured keynote speeches and panel discussions, led by leading Chinese government officials from the Pearl River Delta region on the first day. Discussions on Green Production, Green Transportation and Green Building led by a panel of international and local experts were held throughout the Conference. Plus, the Sino-French Seminar on Housing & Building Energy-Efficiency in China was featured on the second day.
"This is my first visit to the fair and it has been extremely informative. As a developer in the construction industry, I come for the HSBC Eco Asia Conference and was also able to find eco-friendly building materials and technology," said Ms Mona Yim, Executive Director of Fortcorp Ltd, Hong Kong.
The last day of the fair was open to the general public. One of the major highlights of the public day was the opportunity to test drive/ride the Hong Kong developed MyCar electric vehicle, which could be booked online prior to the show. Around 160 people test-drove/rode the car.
Eco Expo Asia and the HSBC Eco Asia Conference are jointly organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, and co-organised by the Environment Bureau of the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The next edition of Eco Expo Asia will be held in October 2010 tentatively. For further information, please click www.ecoexpoasia.com or email ecoexpo@hongkong.messefrankfurt.com or exhibitions@hktdc.org
Background information on Messe Frankfurt
Messe Frankfurt is Germany's leading trade fair organiser, with 440 million euros in sales in 2008 and more than 1,500 employees worldwide. The Messe Frankfurt Group has a global network of 28 subsidiaries, five branch offices and 52 international Sales Partners, giving it a presence for its customers in more than 150 countries. Events "made by Messe Frankfurt" take place at more than 30 locations around the globe. In 2008, Messe Frankfurt organised more than 100 trade fairs, of which more than half took place outside Germany. Messe Frankfurt's exhibition grounds, featuring 578,000 square metres, are currently home to nine exhibition halls and an adjacent Congress Centre. The company is publicly owned, with the City of Frankfurt holding 60 percent and the State of Hesse 40 percent. For more information, please visit our website at: www.messefrankfurt.com
About the HKTDC
Established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based traders, manufacturers and service providers. With more than 40 offices worldwide, including 11 in the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China and Asia. The HKTDC also organises trade fairs and business missions to connect companies with opportunities in Hong Kong and the mainland, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and online. For more information, visit www.hktdc.com
SOURCE: Hong Kong Trade Development Council