The Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Autumn Edition), organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), and electronicAsia, jointly organized by the HKTDC and MMI Asia Pte Ltd, recently concluded their four-day physical exhibitions and attracted more than 60,000 industry buyers from 136 countries and regions.
The organizers held 78 events and forums during the exhibitions, inviting industry leaders to share unique insights and the latest industry information, including the Symposium on Innovation & Technology, the Hong Kong Electronic Forum, and the Reliability Assurance for Electronic Systems Forum.
“The global trend towards smart living is driving demand for innovative products and solutions,” said Sophia Chong, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC. “The Electronics Fair and electronicAsia serve as efficient platforms for the industry, enabling exhibitors to showcase their electronic products and technology solutions to buyers. We are pleased to see exhibitors and buyers successfully exploring business opportunities at the exhibitions, which are expediting Hong Kong’s development into an international innovation and technology (I&T) center.”
Industry optimistic about India, the Middle East, and Latin America
An independent survey agency commissioned by the HKTDC interviewed 1,091 Electronics Fair buyers and exhibitors about growth prospects for the industry.
53% of respondents expect overall sales to increase in the next 12-24 months, while 43% anticipate that they will remain stable. Most respondents believe that the electronics industry has the most growth potential in emerging markets, such as India, the Middle East and Latin America over the next two years, followed by Korea, Mainland China, Australia and the Pacific Islands.
In terms of trends in electronic products, most respondents believe there is a “very promising” or “promising” market potential for wearable electronic products (65%) and robotics technology (59%).
Meanwhile, 56% of respondents believe that the market potential for e-sports products and equipment is high. Most respondents consider these products to have the greatest growth potential in North America and Northern and Western Europe.
Exhibitors attract quality buyers at fairs
This year’s Electronics Fair featured more than 20 zones, gathering the latest electronic products and innovative solutions from global exhibitors in areas such as smart cities, smart mobility, gerontechnology and digital entertainment.
First-time exhibitor and Founder of Zunosaki Limited, Newmen Ho, promoted the company’s hand rehabilitation robot in the Startup Zone, seeking Mainland China and overseas distributors, partners and investors. In the first half of the exhibition, he met potential buyers from Taiwan’s nursing homes and from Korea. Additionally, a buyer from India expressed interest in applying the company’s robotic hand technology across different industries.
Hong Kong’s renowned consumer electronics brand Momax achieved impressive results at the fair. The company’s Founder and CEO John Cheng stated that the team met some 60 buyers from the Asia-Pacific region and Europe in the first two days of the Fair. Momax also formed a long-term partnership with a publicly listed company in Papua New Guinea and is currently discussing an initial order valued at $50,000.
Additionally, through HKTDC’s Click2Match smart business matching platform, the company connected with another quality buyer from Australia, with the intent to collaborate long-term. Mr Cheng said: “Hong Kong’s exhibitions are world-class, featuring high-quality buyers from a diverse range of countries. This year’s Autumn Electronics Fair saw a significant turnout, and the buyers were very engaged. We will definitely participate again next year.”
Dongguan Maochang Printed Circuit Board Ltd, which develops technological solutions, participated in electronicAsia to stay updated on industry trends and identify potential buyers.
“Expanding onto the international stage is our primary goal for participating in the exhibition,” said Michael Tsang, Sales Director, Dongguan Maochang Printed Circuit Board Ltd. “I am glad that we met with over 200 potential buyers in the first three days to gain a deeper understanding of customer needs.”
Buyers seek new products to expand market
Vinal Patel, Chief Commercial Officer of UK buyer Brand Collective, has been attending the Electronics Fair for over 20 years. During the first two days of this year’s fair, he secured over US$2 million worth of purchases, including charging cables, power banks and wireless speakers from two exhibitors. He is also considering expanding the range of products he distributes after discovering new offerings at the Fair. Mr Patel said: “The line-up at the exhibition gets better every year, even more impressive than before the pandemic. I will definitely participate in the Electronics Fairs in April and October in the future.”
“The Electronics Fair is the best opportunity for me to interact face-to-face with exhibitors from around the world,” said Yusuf Gündogdu, Co-founder of Robotistan Elektronik Tic AS. “I always find the best prices here. Meeting the founders of start-ups in the Startup Zone excites me. These companies are poised to become some of the best in the future and will drive market development through innovation, which I eagerly look forward to.”
Other on-site activities catered to start-ups, including investment matching, the Hong Kong Value Creation for Technology: Pitching Competition, Meet the Mentors sessions and Start-up Smart Launch.
The HKTDC will host the Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition), Hong Kong International Outdoor and Tech Light Expo and ECO Expo Asia in late October, creating more cross-industry business opportunities.
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