The electronics fair has incorporated new elements such as the Invention Zone, an area displaying cutting-edge developments, aiming to connect inventors with manufacturers. Participants include top-tier universities, companies endorsed by research and development institutes and industry associations from Hong Kong, the mainland and Taiwan.

Another addition to the trade show is the Mobile Devices and Accessories Zone, where more than 40 exhibitors will gather to introduce smart devices, such as tablet PCs, smartphones and related products to potential buyers.

Meanwhile, the Hall of Fame returns with a dazzling display of top-notch electronic products developed by more than 400 renowned companies, including Alcatel, Daewoo, German Pool, HP, Motorola, Philips, Pierre Cardin and VTech.

Evon Chow, director of marketing at inCarBite, which develops in-vehicle technologies, says she appreciates HKTDC's continuing support.

'Last year, we met customers from various places at the electronics fair, including some coming from the United States and Europe who had been absent for quite some time,' she says. 'HKTDC has done a very good job in promoting our products before and during the event, using online and print advertising channels and building our reputation in other places.'

Among the items exhibited by the company is a mounting kit designed to secure iPads and iPad 2s in the car, the office and the kitchen, enabling users to enjoy virtual entertainment anywhere and everywhere.

Gilbert Wong, export director for small electrical-appliance specialist Princess Worldwide, says the electronics fair provides a valuable platform for the company to meet customers from around the world so that it can present new designs and discuss operational issues with them. The company is showing a fat-free fryer that allows the health-conscious to make tasty dishes without using oil, a vertical steamer for cleaning, removing odour and killing germs, and a multicooker combining various functions in one single appliance.

Li Ling, supervisor for brand promotion at Desay Corporation, an electronic information enterprise, says she hopes to promote the company brand, launch new products and meet and negotiate with clients during the trade show.

Desay features a seven-inch motorised digital panel with touch screen, phones tailor-made for the elderly, and a Blu-ray player for home cinema and music.

Parrot, which focuses on wireless devices for mobile phones, presents a single-DIN car receiver, combining advanced hands-free telephony with access to web services, and an easy-to-use portable hands-free Bluetooth kit that manages two mobile phones at one time, among other products.

'Parrot is attending the fair for the first time,' says Florence Augereau, Marcom specialist at the company's marketing department. 'As the world's biggest electronics event, it allows us to meet existing and future partners from all over the world.'

The trade show is also hosting seminars and workshops, where prominent industry experts share their views on issues relevant to the audience. This year's topics include 'Flat Panel Display (FPD) Products - Technological Advancement and Market Trend', and 'The Trend of Green Electronics and Taiwan Experience'.