HKTDC Opens First-ever International Tea Fair Event

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The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) today opens three fairs, including the first-ever Hong Kong International Tea Fair, which will run 13-15 August, as well as the HKTDC Food Expo 2009 and the International Conference & Exhibition of the Modernization of Chinese Medicine & Health Products (ICMCM), which both run from today until 17 August. Another new fair – the HKTDC Hong Kong Lifestyle Showcase 2009 – will run from 14-17 August, and will debut as a public show, offering a selection of dynamic brands to consumers in Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland.

The three trade fairs also feature publicly accessible elements; the Tea Fair will be open to the public on its final day, 15 August. The Food Expo's Public Hall is open to all for the entire 13-17 August, as well as opening its Trade Hall doors to the public on 15 August, which is the final day that this hall will operate. ICMCM will be open to the public from 15-17 August.

"We think that providing such public accessibility should be attractive to not only Hong Kong residents, but those from the neighbouring Pan-Pearl River Delta as well, " said the HKTDC's Assistant Executive Director Mr. Raymond Yip.

"We always try to include a public element to our fairs wherever possible, as this allows our exhibitors to tap directly into public sentiment and learn first-hand about consumer tastes and trends. By providing combined trade and public fairs, exhibitors can gather market information at the wholesale level, as well as pick up some good intelligence from the consumers."

The combined presentation of the four fairs represents the HKTDC's recognition that Hong Kong is increasingly being recognised as a trendsetter for the region, due to the maturing of its creative and design capabilities, the popularity of its culture, and its high standards of health care and food safety.

"We feel all four fairs reflect well on Hong Kong's growing role as a hub for Asian lifestyle trends, " said Mr Yip. "As Asian markets mature, we see regional consumers demanding more of their own styles and trends. And we see Hong Kong as ideally placed to provide the necessary platform in growth areas such as lifestyle, tea, food and Chinese medicine, which will all be on display."

Tea Fair Debuts
Co-organised with the Chinese Tea Culture International Exchange Association, the Hong Kong International Tea Fair features exhibitors from the great tea-producing centres of the world, including Argentina, the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Malaysia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the United Kingdom and Vietnam.

Complimenting the fair are several special events designed to build awareness of tea including brand building, market opportunities and the cultural aspects of the beverage. Apart from seminars, highlights are the final round of Kam Cha Competition (Hong Kong-style milk tea) and the "Most Beloved Tea" voting game, which is open to public participation. Hong Kong is a hub for tea trading, importing more than HK$380 million worth of tea and related products in 2008, an increase of 10 per cent over 2007, while exporting approximately HK$114 million worth of tea the same year, an increase of 31 per cent. For more tea fair details, please go to: http://www.hkteafair.com

New Lifestyle Fair for the Public
The HKTDC Hong Kong Lifestyle Showcase is also being held for the first time, and features more than 250 brands in three special zones. The Lifestyle – Glamour zone includes watches, clocks, jewellery, fashion and accessories. The Lifestyle - Leisure zone includes creative products, entertainment products and sporting goods. A Lifestyle - Living zone features cosmetics, personal care items and health products.

Also featured is the Hong Kong Q-Mart Quality Living zone organised by the Federation of Hong Kong Industries. This zone features a variety of "Made-by-Hong Kong" products, including those of Q-Mark licensees, all contributing to enhancing everyday life.

Accompanying the special zones are staged entertainment, mini-parades, lucky draws and forums on image care. More than a dozen related lifestyle activities will feature everything from a "Chit N Chat" session with well-known artist Charmaine Sheh (12:15pm-12:30pm on 14 August) to beauty and image workshops.

Food Expo a Tasty Treat
The 20th edition of the HKTDC Food Expo is Hong Kong's annual food extravaganza, featuring a Trade Hall for professionals and a Public Hall for the general public. This year's event features an all-time Food Expo record of 607 exhibitors, and brings together food retailers, suppliers, wholesalers, brokers and food agency representatives under one roof.

Exhibitors come from 24 countries and regions including Australia, Brunei (new), Canada, Chile (new), the Chinese mainland, the Czech Republic (new), Hong Kong, India, Indonesia (new), Iran, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico (new), New Zealand (new), Pakistan (new), Palestine (new), Peru (new), Philippines, Singapore (new), Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

Food Expo theme zones include: Alcoholic Beverages; Bakery Products, Noodles & Rice; Kitchenware; Sauces & Seasonings; Canned, Frozen & Processed Food; Health, Green & Organic Food; Non-alcoholic Beverages; Snacks, Confectionery & Dairy Products; and a Premium Food Zone. Some 60 buying missions are expected, representing 2, 770 buyers from 35 countries and regions.

ICMCM a Healthy Alternative
Co-organised with the Modernized Chinese Medicine International Association, ICMCM features exhibits in Chinese medicine, health supplements, health care and therapy, health equipment and related services, research and development among others. The fair provides a high-quality Chinese-medicine trading platform and promotes awareness of Chinese medicine around the world.

Here, 125 exhibitors from nine countries and regions, including Canada, the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Macau, New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan are participating. Seven group pavilions are present, including those from Japan, Korea, Pengzhou (new), Chongqing (new), Heilongjiang Province, Jilin Province and Qinghai Province.

Related activities include the ICMCM Conference on "The Integration of Scientific Research and Development in Novel Chinese Medicines" (13-14 August) and the Chinese Medicine Health Public Forum (15-16 August).

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