Hong Kong Electronics Fair's spring edition and the International ICT (information and communications technology) Expo, two major fairs in the industry, opened on Monday in Hong Kong to kick off the spring sourcing season.

The twin fairs, with various consumer electronics products, ICT design and services, opened at the same time at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center. The fairs were both organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and attracted a total of over 3,000 exhibitors from some 30 countries and regions, organizers said.

The Electronics Fair, with separate editions in spring and autumn respectively, was the largest of its kind in Asia. The spring edition attracted 2,500 exhibitors from 24 countries and regions, including new exhibitors from the neighboring Macao Special Administrative Region, as well as Brazil, Israel, Romania and Thailand.

The ICT Expo featured more than 580 information technology suppliers and software applications developers. Seven thematic zones were set up to cover enterprise solutions, network and mobility, digital living and multimedia, home-grown innovations, IT outsourcing, e-logistics and retail technologies, and trade related services.

Speakers at industry seminars will highlight emerging trends such as embedded software, IT outsourcing, retail technologies, Wi-Fi, and multimedia.

Businessmen from different continents crowded the halls as well as foyers of the Convention and Exhibition Center Monday. Youths handing out pamphlets and brochures related to the sourcing season were seen on passageways near the center.

Frederick Ma, secretary for commerce and economic development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government, said the two fairs have strengthened Hong Kong's role as the world marketplace for electronics and ICT industries.

"Last year the electronics industry accounted for nearly half of Hong Kong's total exports. The ICT industry, with over 9,000 companies employing about 75,000 people, contributed approximately 50 billion HK dollars (US$6.41 billion) to our GDP. There is no doubt that these two industries have underpinned Hong Kong's economic success over the years," Ma said at the joint opening ceremony of the twin fairs.

The HKSAR government will promote advanced technology and innovation, and develop Hong Kong as a hub for technological cooperation and trade, he added.

(Xinhua News Agency April 15, 2008)