submitted by HKTDC
Rewritten by Kerstan Szczepanski
Hong Kong Autumn Lighting Fair, Outdoor and Tech Light Expo, and Eco Expo Asia
Exhibitors are bullish on sales prospects and see tremendous potential in smart lighting.
Organized by the HKTDC, the 25th Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition) and the 8th Hong Kong International Outdoor and Tech Light Expo formed a world-renowned lighting marketplace, attracting more than 3,000 exhibitors collectively and around 38,000 and 12,000 buyers respectively. The 18th Eco Expo Asia, co-organized by the HKTDC and Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd., drew over 300 exhibitors and around 12,000 buyers. Altogether, the three exhibitions attracted approximately 62,000 buyers from 145 countries and regions. The International Lighting Fair was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, while both Tech Light Expo and Eco Expo Asia were located at AsiaWorld-Expo.
Sophia Chong, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC, says the fairs created a cross-industry sourcing platform for global buyers, successfully leveraging synergy and attracting approximately 62,000 buyers collectively. The number of buyers from key markets grew strongly, including those from ASEAN countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, as well as the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Korea, India, and Mainland China.
Eco Expo Asia also drew many new buyer groups, including those from Malaysia, Thailand, and Macao, reflecting the passing of the pandemic and the fact that global buyers continued to view Hong Kong as an important trading and sourcing platform. Ms. Chong was confident that the HKTDC would continue to promote local and international trade development, bringing more business opportunities and cooperation to the industry.
Survey reflects optimism on sales
An independent survey institute interviewed nearly 770 exhibitors and buyers at the Autumn Lighting Fair and Outdoor and Tech Light Expo. The industry held an optimistic outlook, with more than 67% of respondents expecting overall sales to continue growing in the next two years, with 32% expecting sales to remain unchanged and just 1% anticipating a potential decline. For traditional markets, respondents were mainly optimistic about Australia and the Pacific Islands (67%) and Taiwan (63%). Among emerging markets, the industry was primarily positive on Latin America (71%), Central & Eastern Europe (excl. Russia) (68%), the Middle East (66%), and ASEAN countries (65%).
Smart cities and smart homes were among the technological development trends under the spotlight. As Internet of Things (IoT) applications grow in popularity, most respondents (74%) believed the smart-lighting market had great potential in the next two years. Areas with the most potential included home automation and smart-lighting control systems (47%), followed by wireless lighting control systems (33%), energy-saving lighting control solutions (30%), and outdoor smart security lighting systems (26%).
New Connected Lighting Zone draws interest
The Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition) and the Hong Kong International Outdoor and Tech Light Expo, themed “Light Up Every Opportunity,” featured a wide range of high-quality lighting products with innovative designs, sustainable development, and smart elements. The Connected Lighting Zone debuted at this year’s Lighting Fair, showcasing more than 20 renowned companies and brands. The business atmosphere at both lighting fairs was enthusiastic and lively.
Irving Pun, Marketing Director of Hong Kong Kinlights Technology Co., was at Outdoor and Tech Light Expo and says, “We found seven to eight serious buyers from Spain, Poland, South Africa, India, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia on the first day of the exhibition. They are looking to purchase different lighting items, including street lights, high bay lights, and sport lights. We will receive orders worth US$500,000 to US$1 million.”
Seminars and forums at the fairs included the Connected Lighting Forum and “A Greener Future in Hong Kong: Sustainable Lighting Design and Energy Solutions” seminar where experts shared the latest information and trends on smart and sustainable lighting.
Eco Expo Asia: Driving energy efficiency and waste reduction
This year’s Eco Expo Asia, themed “Taking the Leap towards Carbon Neutrality,” resonated with the recent Policy Address by Chief Executive John Lee, in which he emphasized measures to promote the new energy transport industry and sustainable development. The Green Transportation zone showcased a variety of new energy vehicles and related equipment, including hydrogen-powered container trucks and garbage trucks exhibited by Wisdom Motors (HK) Limited.
To help Hong Kong’s catering industry prepare for the ban on disposable plastic utensils next year, the Environmental Protection Department of the HKSAR government led 28 registered suppliers from the Green Tableware Platform to participate in the expo. The Japan Pavilion showcased eco-friendly utensils and introduced cutting-edge fabric degradation into soil technology, while the Canada Pavilion presented green building technologies and biological wastewater purification and odor removal techniques.
Hong Kong exhibitor Lexie Lin, Investment Director of Wisdom Motor, says, “We have received inquiries from buyers from Denmark, Belgium, and Germany, and other European countries, as well as from the United States and Canada. Two clients from Australia also expressed great interest. In addition, we have engaged with buyers from Hong Kong, including the mass transport system and community infrastructure companies.
“The HKTDC has facilitated our online business matching meetings through the Click2Match platform. We have secured customers from Australia, France, and Germany, with orders for over 100 vehicles.”
According to the latest survey led by the HKTDC, respondents from Mainland China and overseas considered Hong Kong to be a sustainable business hub offering services useful for companies’ ESG strategies, giving Hong Kong an overall rating of 7.0 or more out of 10.
About HKTDC
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist, and develop Hong Kong’s trade. With 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. Website: www.hktdc.com.
Photo credits: HKTDC media room
