Eco-Friendly, Educational Products on Display at Hong Kong Fairs

	HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Benjamin Chau said that “increased awareness of environmental protection has given rise to a boom in eco-friendly and organic products.”
	HKTDC Toys Advisory Committee Chairman Wong Tit Shing said the HKTDC Hong Kong Baby Products Fair returns after last year’s successful inaugural edition. “These industries complement each other, creating opportunities for both exhibitors and buyers.”
	Benjamin Chau (fourth from right) and Wong Tit Shing (centre) join the winners of the winners of Hong Kong Baby Products Awards 2011.

11 January 2011 – A world of products meeting the growing consumer demand for environmentally friendly, educational and high-tech offerings are on display at Asia’s largest toy fair and concurrent events for baby products and stationery. The HKTDC Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair, the HKTDC Hong Kong Baby Products Fair and the Hong Kong International Stationery Fair, co-organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, opened Monday and continue through 13 January at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).  

Speaking at the fairs’ opening-day press conference, Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) Deputy Executive Director Benjamin Chau said that “increased awareness of environmental protection has given rise to a boom in eco-friendly and organic products.” 

Eco Products Display
The fairs’ organiser, the HKTDC, has introduced a new ‘Eco Toys and Baby Products Display Zone’ at the fairground. The specialised section is in Hall 3E South Concourse.

Mr Chau said eco-products on display at the fairs include bamboo toy blocks, solar powered toys, 100 per cent organic cotton baby clothes, recycled disposable baby bottles as well as reusable sticky strips and stationery made from biodegradable material and recycled newspaper.

“Consumers are increasingly looking for brands associated with higher value,” said Mr Chau. “In response, more and more manufacturers are establishing their own labels and brands.”

Mr Chau said specialised brand areas established at both the Toys & Games and the Baby Products Fair are well received by exhibitors and buyers alike. “The Brand Name Gallery has seen a breakthrough increase in exhibitor numbers, brand numbers and exhibition space,” he said.

High-Tech Toys
Exhibitors have also been flocking to the toy fair’s ‘Electronic & Remote Control Toy Zone’, according to HKTDC Toys Advisory Committee Chairman Wong Tit Shing. He said the area presents high-tech and innovative toys such as robots that play ping-pong and a helicopter controlled by an iPhone or iPad.

“The zone has attracted more exhibitors, because of new technological advances and the growing dominance of multimedia,” said Mr Wong, noting that educational toy exhibits are also strong this year. “You can find award-winning educational toys to enhance body balance and coordination, and a construction toy which improves thinking and creativity.”

The toy fair is the largest event of its kind in Asia the second-largest in the world. This year’s fair has attracted 1,950 exhibitors from 41 countries and regions, and includes eight group pavilions, as well as a World of Toys Pavilion organised with Spielwarenmesse eG, the organiser of the world’s largest toy fair - Nürnberg International Toy Fair.

All about Baby
In step with the toy fair, the HKTDC Hong Kong Baby Products Fair returns after last year’s successful inaugural edition. “These industries complement each other, creating opportunities for both exhibitors and buyers,” said Mr Wong.

The Baby Products Fair welcomes more than 340 exhibitors from 20 countries and regions, including new participants from Canada, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Spain, the United States and Vietnam. This fair also hosts the Hong Kong Baby Products Awards 2011, which covers five categories: baby toys, baby wear & accessories, baby strollers & gear, baby-care products and baby furniture & home accessories.

Entries were judged by Raymond Choy, Founder and Director of Toy2R; David Chu, President of the Toys Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong; Helena Hui, Editor-in-Chief of Yellow Bus Magazine; Raymond Ip, Executive Director of Nojo International Ltd; Daisy Ng, baby products buyer with Mothercare Mother & Child Ltd; Bernie Ting, Chairman of the Hong Kong Toys Council; and Pacino Wan, fashion designer and lecturer, Department of Fashion & Textiles, Hong Kong Design Institute. A list of contest winners is available. 

The three fairs run concurrently with the HKTDC Hong Kong International Licensing Show, which continues through 12 January. 

Fair Websites
HKTDC Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair:  www.hktdc.com/hktoyfair  
HKTDC Hong Kong Baby Products Fair: www.hktdc.com/hkbabyfair
Hong Kong International Stationery Fair: www.hkstationeryfair.com 
HKTDC Hong Kong International Licensing Show: www.hktdc.com/hklicensingshow

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