Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Autumn Edition) 2008/electronicAsia 2008 The 28th edition of the Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Autumn Edition) 2008, which runs from today until Thursday, is a key international marketplace that has grown into the largest fair of its kind in Asia, and the second largest in the world. Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the fair features more than 2,600 exhibitors showing audio-visual products, electronic accessories, home appliances, multimedia and electronic gaming, security products, telecommunications products and more. Last year, more than 58,000 buyers from 160 countries and regions visited the fair. The show runs concurrently with electronicAsia 2008, whose 560 exhibitors focus on electronic parts and components. Semiconductors, embedded systems, sensors, interconnection technology to power suppliers, manufacturing equipment and logistics for semiconductors and components are among the products on display. In its 12th year, electronicAsia is jointly organised by the HKTDC and MMI-Munich International Trade Fairs. It attracted more than 34,000 buyers from 143 countries and regions last year. 'The two fairs provide buyers with a one-stop sourcing venue. We hope the electronics fair and electronicAsia can continue to serve the electronics and electronic components industries as the best sourcing platform, and an information exchange platform,' said Raymond Yip, HKTDC assistant executive director, who noted that the concurrent fairs grouped more than 3,150 companies (4,500 booths) in total. Electronic products are Hong Kong's biggest export earner. The sector accounts for more than half of overall exports, with sales last year totalling HK$1.35 trillion, up 11 per cent over 2006. For the first eight months of this year, the figure was HK$935.7 billion, an increase of 10 per cent over the same period last year. Electronic products exports to the mainland, Hong Kong's main electronics market with a 59 per cent share, continued to grow strongly. For the first eight months of this year, Hong Kong's total exports of electronic products to the mainland were HK$552.5 billion, an 11 per cent increase over the same period last year. Exports of parts and components rose 8.9 per cent to HK$698.4 billion during the first eight months of this year compared with the same period last year. For first-time electronics fair exhibitor Samson Telecommunications & Electronics, which specialises in industrial and military-grade security systems and equipment, the fair represents an opportunity to promote its products to a wider audience. 'We normally get our customers by word of mouth, but this gives us a way to make new contacts. Some buyers may not know what we have been doing for the past 30 years that we have been in business,' said Samson Chan, the company's managing director. Among the items the company is showing are a blast-proof telephone set for mining that can be used for underground communication and a bulletproof helmet-plus-microphone designed to aid communication between security personnel in oilfields. The fair is hosting established zones, which include the popular Hall of Fame, featuring branded goods and stylish electronic products; Digital World, with a wide range of digital products; and Home Tech, dedicated to home appliances, home security products and personal care electronics. The Technology Exchange Zone features breakthrough concepts and prototypes from Hong Kong research institutes, universities and incubator companies. A Product Demo and Launch Pad area allows exhibitors to introduce their latest products and services at 20-minute briefing sessions. Many exhibitors are making use of this platform this afternoon. The Hong Kong Electronic Industries Association Award Presentation for Outstanding Innovation and Technology Products will be held tomorrow. This is to stimulate more creativeness in the industry and to recognise those companies that are able to produce outstanding new products excellent in areas of design, technology or features. A seminar on 'Latest developments of China Energy Label and Reach [Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restrictions of Chemicals]' on Wednesday will give visitors insights on new trends in the electronics industry. The seminars will take place from 2.30-4.30pm at Theatre II, Convention and Exhibition Centre. Wang Ruo Hong, deputy director of the Sub-Institute of Resource and Environment Standardisation at the China National Institute of Standardisation, will speak on the 'China Energy Label - Application, Impact and Future Development'. He will be followed by Kelvin Leung, Reach specialist, Intertek Testing Services Hong Kong, who will discuss 'Steps Towards Achieving Reach Compliance for Electronics Industry'. Visitors can explore the Hall of Fame at electronicAsia, a special area dedicated to top-of-the-range brand names and innovatively designed electronic parts and components. Among the exhibitors showing finished components and parts made with the highest quality materials are Philips Electronics Hong Kong - Light Factory, S.I.SV.EL. (Hong Kong) and Surface Mount Technology (Holdings).