The Hall of Fine Designs offers exclusive high-end branded items that display outstanding innovation and excellence, while the Tech Gifts zone lifts the lid on the latest electronic gadgets that have been designed to make life in the home and office more efficient, entertaining and fun.

The HKTDC is upbeat about the prospects for the event, which has attracted a record number of exhibitors despite the global financial crisis. 'World markets are experiencing the impact of the global economic crisis and companies need to make greater promotional efforts to remain competitive in these challenging times,' said Raymond Yip, HKTDC's assistant executive director. 'As the HKTDC Hong Kong Gifts and Premium Fair is the world's largest, and this year breaks the exhibitor record, this is definitely the international one-stop sourcing platform for buyers around the world.'

To help companies overcome the effects of the economic downturn, the HKTDC has launched a HK$120 million assistance package to help exhibitors. This includes an incentive programme to attract more new trade buyers, plus subsidies to assist exhibitors in strengthening their marketing efforts.

Over the past 24 years, the gifts fair has evolved into a 'must' for every company that is serious about growing its business. This year, it brings together exhibitors from 38 countries and regions, including the mainland, Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and North and South America. The range of products on display is staggering. At the luxury end of the spectrum, BSC Italia is in town with its 2009 collection of prestigious corporate gifts, all of which are offered under international licensing agreements with leading high-fashion and designer labels such as Balenciaga, Iceberg, Akakuro and Renato Balestra. They include office and sports accessories, leather goods, silk products, pens and sunglasses.

IP Varshavskaya has brought a unique collection of arts and crafts from Russia with love. All of them are handmade by master artisans using centuries-old techniques. Besides the well-known Matryoshkas (nesting dolls), there are original hand-painted wooden utensils, traditional Pavlovo Posad-style shawls, lacquerware and wooden and clay toys.

Some exhibitors are at the fair for the first time. Among them is Prairie Dog, a 15-year-old home and furnishing textile trading company based in Osaka. The firm is introducing Le Patissier towel cakes - hand-rolled and folded 100 per cent cotton towels, handkerchiefs and face cloths with fruit-shaped magnets attached - and its elegant and environmentally friendly Organic Japan brand of cotton towels and blankets, all made from organic cotton and coloured with natural dyes, and floral design eco-bags.

Another new exhibitor with some original products is Hong Kong-based Fiftytwoways. Established just a year ago, the company is offering Shot of Spice, a set of eye-catching pistol-shaped ceramic salt and pepper shakers that were inspired by classic gangster movies such as Goodfellas and Scarface. Another of its novelty products is the Sweet Tooth Chocolate Mould, which consists of a set of tooth-shaped moulds. Both were created by in-house designer Diana Paisis.

From Taiwan, Artilize Worldwide will be putting the spotlight on its popular Tales by Pave home decorations and Giimo Magic Light lighting products while introducing its new Dine in Sophistication range of porcelain that combines oriental artistic motifs with functionality.

More offbeat gift ideas are provided by Q-Max Innovation. They include a monkey-shaped baby's bib made from silicon, cartoon-creature egg cups and moulds for heart-shaped ice cubes.

Homade, a Hong Kong-based design company, is tempting buyers with quirky creations such as a dumbbell-shaped alarm clock and the Mini-iStereoDock, a block design speaker for iPods.

The 24th Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair is open to the trade only. Opening hours are from 9am to 6.30pm today until Wednesday, and from 9am to 5pm on Thursday.