Producers and buyers are developing closer partnerships
The Summer Sourcing Show for Gifts, Houseware and Toys brings together three key industries in the Hong Kong economy. Together they accounted for 15.4 per cent of total exports last year, with gifts exports worth almost $152 billion, houseware accounting for $14 billion and toys more than $70 million.
Cliff Sun, chairman of the Hong Kong Exporters' Association, is encouraged by these figures and said in the face of stiff competition, particularly from mainland manufacturers, local suppliers had upgraded their services, products and management quality in order to maintain their global position, especially in the United States and European markets.
The bulk of Hong Kong's exports in these industries now target the middle of the market, and carry both volume and value. 'We are very competitive in product design, creativity and low production costs,' Mr Sun said.
Many manufacturers are now developing their own designs rather than following a blueprint from a customer. This results in a more stable relationship between a producer and a buyer.
In the past, the customer could take his design to competitors and look for a lower price - often at the expense of quality.
Quality is a factor that local manufacturers are focusing on, not just in terms of the finished product but also in the methods of production and management, through implementation of systems such as ISO9000 and ISO14000.