Event-HK Lighting Fair

It’s All Business in HK 

The annual lighting show saw a significant rise in number of buyers as well as exhibitors 

After drawing visitors from all over the world for four consecutive days, the 13th Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn edition) drew to a successful close on 30th October 2011. Held at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, the event had more than 2,100 exhibitors from 31 countries and regions. It attracted a record-breaking attendance of 33,319 buyers, showing a 10% increase from 2010. One of the highlights of the fair was Hall of Aurora, which showcased lighting collections from some400 premium brands. On display were commercial lighting, household lighting, LED and green lighting, outdoor lighting, lighting accessories, parts and components, lighting management systems, and design and technology-based products.

This edition had a phenomenal number of buyers, 23,835 from overseas and 9,484 locally placed. This time significant increase was registered in number of buyers from new and emerging markets, includingMorocco (64%), Indonesia (45%), Czech (33%), Philippines (18%), Central and South America (11%).

Placing the show in context of the global economic uncertainty, HKTDC deputy executive director Benjamin Chau pointed out, “Buyers from the traditional European and American markets have a cautious stance to take due to the continuing Euro debt crisis and the lack of signs of recovery in the American economy. In contrast,Hong Kong companies should take a closer note of the rapid economic development in emerging markets and a sustained risein demand for lighting products ofsuperior quality.”

Chau asserted that HKTDC has been encouraging companies to expand into emerging markets, and has organised visits from newer markets to the show. In the lighting fair, HKTDC organised more than 70 buying missions from around the world. “This effort has brought in a substantial number of premium buyers from upcoming markets, including, Elektrika of Russia, Mrled of Argentina, ELECTRIMAR of Morocco, Metais Bianca Indústria e Comércio Ltda of Brazil and Wipro of India,” Chau stated.

While many of the exhibitors had an eye on the emerging Asian markets, others aimed at expanding their existing networks. Juan Xavier Cordovez, an Ecuador-based buyer who was visiting his first ever lighting trade fair, commented that he was attending the Hong Kong International Lighting Fair because his company was venturing into the lighting business.He said, “The scale at which the fair had been organised, and the way it was divided into different zones, added to the convenience of buyers to carry out purchases.” He found this visit highly rewarding, as he met a number of suppliers and was able to expand his trading network, besides updating on trade information.

In view of the industry seeking out energy-efficient and green lighting, a LED and Green Lighting Zone had beenset up at the show, which drew more than 780 exhibitors.

Impressed by the LED lighting on display, leading CFL maker Energetic from India was increasingly determined to expand into the LED space. While commenting about the show, its executive director Shyam Mehta said, “The technology and products displayed at the show were light years ahead of what we get to see in India. I was particularly impressed by the technology presented by manufacturers from Taiwan, they were very confident about their productsand had all the pertinent results laid down.” Energetic Lighting India Pvt Ltd is a joint venture between Delhi-based VP Electromech and US multinational Energetic Lighting Inc.

On a similar note, Sharon Pang, senior brand manager of LED lighting specialist MEGAMAN pointed out that the show brought to them buyers from Central and South America. She pointed that demand for LEDs was growing because of their durability, low heat emission and high energy efficiency. “MEGAMAN’s sales figure for LED this year is four times higher than that last year. As LED technology isdeveloping quickly and there is a diversification of products, users will go after latest products and thiswill make LED the market focus inthe future.”

The icing on the cake, however, was the seminar programme. Over three days, a powerful battery of speakers talked about the entire LED value chain, right from manufacturing to fixture design and market opportunities. Among the speakers were Dr Michael Fiebing of Osram Opto Semiconductors GmbH; Dr Shih-Che Shi of Everlight Electronics and Hsin-kang Chen of Epistar; Dr Tsang Hing Wo of SGS; and Dr David Xiao, China National 863 LED Project.

HK International Lighting Fair will return in Spring during 6-9 April, 2012.