Leading international exhibition company expands in HK

Messe Frankfurt, Germany's biggest trade fair and exhibition organiser in terms of revenue and profit, and owner of the third biggest exhibition centre in the world, is expanding its regional headquarters in Hong Kong. This is in response to increasing exhibition activities and strong market potential in Hong Kong and Mainland China.

"The success of our Hong Kong operation has meant dynamic growth in staff and resources," Mr Stephan Buurma, Messe Frankfurt's Managing Director Hong Kong and Financial Director-Asia Pacific, told a media briefing today (December 10).

"For example, we have made additional investment in local expertise and technology during 2003 with the introduction of a new online trading platform, SmartSource -- allowing buyers to source fabrics at any time from anywhere in the world.

"With the rapid development of our business, we plan to increase our staff in Hong Kong by around 25% next year," Mr Buurma added.

Messe Frankfurt began doing business in Hong Kong in 1987 by organising Interstoff Asia, an international fabric trade fair held every autumn. In response to the overwhelming success of Interstoff Asia, Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd. was established in 1994. A spring edition of Interstoff Asia was added in 1996, followed by more fairs for other industries.

Messe Frankfurt (HK) also has successfully arranged for the ASEAN Federation of Textile Industries (AFTEX) to hold its annual garment, accessories and machinery sourcing exhibition, Source It, outside of ASEAN -- in Hong Kong -- for the next five years. Source It will run concurrently with Interstoff Asia Spring.

"Hong Kong is the natural choice of location for Source It," said Ms Katy Lam, Director of Trade Fairs for Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd. "The city is a gateway to both Mainland China and the rest of the world. There is simply nowhere better located or with better knowledge of the international textile and garment business.

"The combination of Source It and Interstoff Asia Spring will further strengthen the position of the local industry and demonstrate Hong Kong's position as a world trading hub -- especially for clothing and textiles. The interaction between exhibitors and buyers on-site will generate real business and create long-term prospects for investment in Hong Kong," she said.

Invest Hong Kong's acting Director-General of Investment Promotion, Mr Simon Galpin, congratulated Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd. on its success and its contribution to the trade fair and exhibition business in Hong Kong.

"Messe Frankfurt's expansion in Hong Kong reinforces our city's position as the trade fair and global sourcing hub in this region," he said. "Our proximity to the Pearl River Delta manufacturing base is a real plus, making it easy for buyers to visit exhibitors' factories to see the production facilities and view product samples.

"At the same time, an increasing number of representatives from Mainland Chinese wholesale and retail chains are attending Hong Kong trade fairs to source foreign products. In 2002, trade fair exhibitors and visitors from Mainland China surged 32% to 70,000, compared with the 7.4% increase in the total overseas trade fair attendance. We forecast the figure for this year will be even higher than last year.

"With the opening of the new exhibition centre at the Airport in 2005-06, a greater number and wider range of events are expected to come to Hong Kong."

End/Wednesday, December 10, 2003