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Michael Taylor

More than 2,100 exhibitors from around the world will meet, greet and compete at the 20th anniversary of the event

AREBOUNDING ECONOMY is drawing tens of thousands of  buyers to town for the  20th annual Hong Kong Houseware Fair.

While the exact number of attendees is anyone's guess, it will likely surpass last year's record-breaking figure of 31,509.

More than 60 trade missions  from  Asia Pacific, Central America, the  mainland,  Europe, Japan, the Middle East, North America and South America are attending the event.

The  exhibits range from artificial flowers, bathroom accessories, furniture, gardening and outdoor accessories to hardware and do-it-yourself products, household textiles and tableware.

'The economy has really picked up,' said Anne Chick, senior exhibitions manager at the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.

'I have a strong feeling it will be more than last year, judging from the attendance at our other exhibitions and fairs earlier this year.'

In terms of exhibitors,  about 2,160 from 37 countries and regions are showcasing their wares, representing nearly 5 per cent growth over last year.

More than half (54 per cent) of the exhibitors are from overseas, with six countries - the Bahamas, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Egypt, New Zealand and Poland - being represented for the first time.

Turkey is mounting its first  group pavilion. Other countries hosting group pavilions include the mainland. Australia,  Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Korea,  Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, the United States and Vietnam.

The fair, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, was launched in 1986 as the Hong Kong Gifts and Houseware Fair.

In 2001, it was   split into the Hong Kong Houseware Fair and the Hong Kong  Gifts and Premium Fair.

Many buyers arriving for this week's fair will remain in town to attend the Gifts and Premium Fair, which runs next week, and spend the intervening days in Guangzhou attending the Canton Trade Fair.

'The fair is really the right sourcing platform for buyers to look for new products,' said Ms Chick.  'The two fairs are the largest of their types in Asia. That's why the big buyers keep coming to source their products.'

In  exhibitor numbers, the fair is on a par with the International Houseware Show in Chicago.   On a global basis, only Ambiente (Frankfurt), Macef (Milan) and Maison & Objet (Paris) are bigger.

Anna Lam, general manager of dinnerware maker China Pearl (HK),   said the Hong Kong fair was one of the most important  on the international houseware calendar. 'We have been taking part since 1996, and we have been very satisfied with the results.'

'We take part in eight fairs every year. In terms of exposure, meeting new customers, seeing old customers and sales figures, this one is a definite 'must'.'

Twenty-three makers of high-end houseware items are showcasing their products in the Hall of Elegance. In addition to Hong Kong, exhibitors  hail from the mainland, Australia, Belgium,  Germany, Spain, and Taiwan. Among them will be Hong Kong's Inhesion Industrial,  a maker of high-end tableware.

'Supposedly, only the best companies can be there,' said Aric Chang, the firm's sales and marketing manager.

'As a prestigious place, it is the best way for us to distinguish ourselves from the other exhibitors.'

Purveyors of trendy lifestyle products are taking centre stage at this year's Central Display,  where the theme is 'Hong Kong - where creative solutions flourish'. Located in Atrium  One, it will be split into three  concepts: personality, synergy and visionary.

A series of seminars will  cover the latest trends  locally and  globally. There will be demonstrations of lamp-work marking glass arts today and tomorrow from 3pm to 4pm in Atrium One. A demonstration of rainbow calligraphy will be held at the same venue on Saturday, also from 3pm to 4pm.



Trendy trade fair expands to cater for global players