With 14 group pavilions representing all corners of the globe, the 2004 Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair is the talk of the industry worldwide.
The fair is the largest event of its kind in Asia, and truly an international occasion, bringing tens of thousands of overseas exhibitors and buyers together under one roof. Here is what some of the pavilion organisers have to say.
Warwick Hough, chief executive officer of Gift & Homewares Australia, said from the Australian pavilion: 'The Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair is the most popular fair for Australian companies looking to break into the overseas marketplace.
'It is a key event on the trade calendar, both for companies exhibiting as well as buying.'
Ten companies are exhibiting in the Australian pavilion, showing a variety of products, including puzzles and games, Australiana products and model antique motor vehicles.
Brigitte Fahrngruber, project manager of Durma Messe Stuttgart International, said from the German pavilion: 'Hong Kong is a strategic place in the Asia-Pacific region, allowing companies to broaden their customer base, watch the latest market trends, improve customer relationships, present new products and, of course, do business on the international platform of this fair. Many exhibitors keep coming back each year, which speaks for itself.'
Albert de Rivera, president of the Philippine Chamber of Handicrafts, said from the Philippines pavilion: 'The fair has become a major alternative in generating sales for Filipino exporters as many buyers are attracted here. Buyers who cannot come to the Philippines visit this fair. Our exporters realise this, and as a result continue to participate in the fair.'
