Brands and Technology in Focus at Optical and Medical Fairs
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The HKTDC Hong Kong Optical Fair and the HKTDC Hong Kong International Medical Devices and Supplies Fair opened today (3 November), and will continue through this Friday (5 November). The two fairs have attracted about 720 exhibitors, showcasing the latest eyewear design, optical technology, medical devices and innovations |
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Eyewear parades this afternoon added glamour to the optical fair’s Brand Name Gallery |
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3 November 2010 – Optical and medical products and services are in focus at a pair of trade events, the HKTDC Hong Kong Optical Fair and HKTDC Hong Kong International Medical Devices and Supplies Fair, which opened today in Hong Kong.
The fairs are organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) – with the cooperation of the Hong Kong Medical and Healthcare Device Industries Association for the medical event and the Hong Kong Optical Manufacturers Association (HKOMA) for the optical fair. Events run through 5 November at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). The HKTDC has also organized 92 buying missions from 63 countries and regions to bring more than 3,720 buyers to the fairs.
The World in Sight
As it celebrates its 18th year, the optical fair is welcoming a record number of exhibitors. There are more than 580 exhibitors from 21 countries & regions, with exhibits by companies engaged in design, manufacturing, retail and related services. Group pavilions are set up for exhibitors from the Chinese mainland, Germany, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and the HKOMA. Japan also has its own pavilion, with a group of Japanese eyewear designers featured at the “Japan Village.” Product specialty sections are also in place – with the largest grouping being 165 exhibitors in the Eyewear, Frames, Lenses and Accessories area.
One of Asia’s leading optical events, the fair features a Brand Name Gallery to showcase more than 90 brands from 19 countries and regions. Major names on exhibit include local brand Deary, Holemans from Belgium, Ports 1961 from Canada, Daniel Hechter, Ted Lapidus and Mikli from France, Yanagi Gawa from Japan, Etnia Barcelona from Spain, and Columbia and John Varvatos from the United States. Catwalk-style eyewear parades this afternoon add glamour to the gallery section.
Markets in Focus
Fair events include an opening-day seminar on market trends in Europe and Asia featuring speakers from renowned market research company GfK Asia. Experts from the US and Italy are also hosting a seminar spotlighting the latest trends in eyewear and fashion design.
Tomorrow, the eighth Hong Kong Optometric Conference gets underway. Organised by the HKTDC, the Hong Kong Optometric Association and Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the conference will cover a range of topics related to eye care for the elderly. Speakers from ophthalmology and optometric institutes in Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom and the US will join speakers from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Hong Kong Society for the Blind.
Styles of tomorrow are also in focus at the fair, with glamorous eyewear created by 10 local designers that won prizes at the 12th Hong Kong Eyewear Design Competition on display. The showcase at the Hall 1D concourse also features 14 finalist entries in the competition.
Hong Kong is the world’s third-largest exporter of optical goods after Italy and the US. In the first nine months of 2010, Hong Kong’s exports of spectacles, lenses and frames amounted to HK$10.4 billion (US$1.34 billion), up 17 per cent over the same period last year.
Medical Products and Supplies Fair
Returning after its successful debut last year, the medical fair has attracted 140 exhibitors from 10 countries and regions including Canada, the Chinese mainland, The Czech Republic, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and the US. Italy is represented at the fair for the first time, with three companies attending.
Dedicated sections offering various products and supplies are also in place, with the largest area dedicated to hospital equipment. This year’s fair also introduces a new Laboratory Equipment zone.
Among the highlights of the medical fair is the Tech Exchange which creates opportunities to commercialise technology developed by tertiary institutions. Potential investors are able to view research and development projects by the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
A Dose of Business
The fair also features a series of industry discussions including seminars addressing regulatory issues relating to medical devices in Asia as well as on medical innovations in Hong Kong. Exhibitors’ forums and a sharing session about the healthcare Industry on the mainland are also being held. Tomorrow, the Hong Kong Doctors Union will organise a continuing medical education course on cardiology.
The optical and medical fairs coincide with two other fairs this week. Also starting today and running through 6 November at AsiaWorld-Expo is the 2010 Eco Expo Asia, and tomorrow the HKTDC Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair also gets underway at the HKCEC.
Fair Websites:
Hong Kong Optical Fair - http://hkopticalfair.hktdc.com
Hong Kong International Medical Devices and Supplies Fair - www.hktdc.com/hkmedicalfair
Media Enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC's Corporate Communication Department:
Joe Kainz
Tel: (852) 2584 4216
Email: joe.kainz@hktdc.org
About the HKTDC
A statutory body established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based traders, manufacturers and service providers. With more than 40 global offices, including 11 on the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China and throughout Asia. The HKTDC also organises trade fairs and business missions to connect companies with opportunities in Hong Kong and on the mainland, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and online. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com
Follow us on Twitter @HKTDC