HONG KONG, Apr 29, 2026 - (ACN Newswire) - Asia’s annual flagship licensing events, the Hong Kong International Licensing Show and the Asian Licensing Conference, concluded successfully today. Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the three-day extravaganza for the licensing trade ran from 27 to 29 April, attracting more than 330 exhibitors and showcasing over 600 brands and licensing projects. The Asian Licensing Conference brought together some 20 international licensing experts to explore key industry topics, including global licensing trends and the industry outlook, intellectual property (IP) licensing strategies for overseas expansion, sports licensing, location-based entertainment, food and beverage licensing, and creative marketing strategies. The two events served as cross-regional and cross-sectoral business expansion platforms across multiple categories, creating global business opportunities for participants and promoting regional IP trade development.

Jenny Koo, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC, said: “Under the support of the national 15th Five-Year Plan, Hong Kong continues to deepen its role as a regional IP trading hub. As one of Asia’s most mature licensing markets, the city boasts a well-established industry ecosystem, with the licensing sector serving as a core engine for IP trade. We are pleased to see licensing applications expanding from traditional character merchandising to cover location-based entertainment, food and beverage, e-commerce and a host of other fields, forming a complete licensing industry chain that helps to create more business opportunities for the industry globally.”

In response to the rapid development and growing popularity of e-commerce, this year’s Licensing Show introduced the new IP and e-Commerce Support Services Zone. In collaboration with the E-commerce Association of Hong Kong, Hong Kong eCommerce Supply Chain Association and the Hong Kong Federation of E-Commerce, the zone hosted multiple workshops on building online shops, digital marketing and livestream commerce, helping small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) capitalise on e-commerce to sell their IP products globally.

Among the participants was Digitify Online Growth, an e-commerce platform specialising in digital marketing and e-commerce operation solutions. Kay Leung from the company said: “The greatest value of this new dedicated zone lies in ‘promotion’ and ‘education’. In the current economic climate, industries across different sectors are actively seeking new avenues to expand their business. This zone serves as an essential foundation for SMEs, raising awareness of how to effectively leverage e-commerce as a springboard to promote their brands and sell their IP products to the global market.” Prof. Charles Ng from another exhibitor, StarLite IPC Limited, said: “This year's Licensing Show has truly played the role of an ‘all-rounded accelerator’ in driving industry growth. During this critical period of economic recovery in the Asian market, the show has successfully brought together leading licensors, licensing agents and brand owners from around the world, providing an efficient business matchmaking platform for IP licensing-focused enterprises like ours."

Commenting on the impact of the new IP and e-Commerce Support Services Zone, Jenny Koo said: “This aligns well with the direction of the Hong Kong SAR Government’s policy to enhance the competitiveness of Hong Kong SMEs in relation to cross-border e-commerce. The HKTDC will continue to provide an ideal platform for the global licensing industry to showcase more diversified brand licensing projects, strengthening Hong Kong's position as an international licensing hub.”

The Licensing Show continued to feature the DLAB Hong Kong Pavilion, bringing together nearly 40 exhibitors to showcase multiple Hong Kong original brands and IPs. Among them, local designer Kirsten Lie presented her original IPs and secured collaboration opportunities with overseas shopping malls. She said: “The current negotiations are highly encouraging, with enthusiastic responses all around. We are now in serious discussions with two overseas shopping malls and will meet with their senior management next week to move the partnership forward.” Another participating designer, James Ho, said “This year's Licensing Show provides an excellent brand promotion platform for local designers, enabling us to reach and engage with potential partners from diverse sectors on a broad scale.” In addition, this year’s Hong Kong Licensing Force Showcase featured The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, with the newly participating Hong Kong Design Institute joining to showcase creative designs by emerging local talents.

Key topics at this year’s Asian Licensing Conference included how non-traditional toy IPs resonate with young consumers in the emotional economy along with new development models for food and beverage licensing. George Wood, Managing Director of The Luna Entertainment Group, shared on location-based entertainment during the session, saying: “We learned that one of the non-negotiables has to do is with the depth of affection, which is often related to the number of hours the audience has spent with the IP”. He also expressed his belief that transforming entertainment brands into experiences is one of the revenue engines offering long-term value. In another session, Mark Kingston, CEO and Co-founder of Libertas Brands Ltd, mentioned the rising popularity of non-traditional toys such as Fugglers, whose deliberately designed “ugly-cute” appearance echoes the rise of the emotion economy. “We want to ensure that every Fuggler engages different individuals, and that every individual can find a Fuggler that suits their personality or particular mood. That is key to the storytelling nature of Fugglers,” Mr Kingston said.

Mainland institutions exhibit with distinctive cultural and creative brands

The Chinese Mainland Pavilion brought together more than 150 institutions from regions including Beijing, Shaanxi, Jiangsu, Guangdong, Sichuan and more. Popular IPs such as Nailoong, Suchao, Tang Fugui, the Sun and Immortal Birds made their debut at the event, demonstrating the innovative vitality of the mainland’s cultural tourism IPs. Among the exhibitors in the pavilion were more than 20 cultural and museum institutions including Guangdong Museum, Nanjing Museum and the Xu Beihong Memorial Museum, showcasing the richness of the nation’s historical and cultural resources. This year, the distinctive Beijing Museums brand from the Beijing Municipal Cultural Heritage Bureau made its first overseas appearance. World cultural heritage sites such as the Great Wall and the Summer Palace collectively presented the unique character of Beijing’s heritage.

Multiple MoUs signed to deepen collaboration and exchange in the licensing industry

Several memoranda of understanding were signed during the two major licensing events, including one between the Beijing Municipal Cultural Heritage Bureau and the HKTDC. Building on their longstanding cooperation, both parties now aim to continue deepening cultural and economic exchange and collaboration under the broader framework of Beijing-Hong Kong cooperation. The MoU encourages both parties to actively build a cultural and museum cooperation platform, facilitating Beijing institutions to make use of the HKTDC’s platforms to explore aligning Beijing’s cultural and museum IPs and museum collections with Hong Kong’s professional strengths in the areas of creative design, IP transformation and licensing services, promoting the commercialisation, internationalisation and digital development of cultural and museum resources, and providing an effective way of telling China's stories.

Another MoU was signed between the Innovative Entrepreneur Association (IEA) and the Shantou Cultural and Creative Tourism Industry Association, aiming to strengthen cultural and creative industry collaboration between Hong Kong and Shantou and promote the deep integration and coordinated development of the two cities’ cultural, creative and tourism industries. This collaboration was facilitated by the HKTDC following a study mission by a Hong Kong licensing industry delegation to the Greater Bay Area and South China market in January this year to explore development opportunities and business prospects. The signing of the MoU represents a further deepening of exchange and cooperation between industry players in both cities.

Photo download: https://bit.ly/3QDbhJJ

Websites

Hong Kong International Licensing Show: https://www.hktdc.com/event/hklicensingshow/en
Asian Licensing Conference: https://www.hktdc.com/event/hklicensingshow/en/programme'category=all&date=all
HKTDC Media Room: http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/en

Media enquiries

For more information, please contact Raconteur:

About HKTDC

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. The HKTDC is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade. With over 50 offices globally, including 13 in the Chinese Mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels.

HONG KONG, Apr 27, 2026 - (ACN Newswire) - The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) today officially opened its seven flagship lifestyle and licensing events. The Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair, Home InStyle and Fashion InStyle are being held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), while the Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair and DeLuxe PrintPack Hong Kong at AsiaWorld-Expo, from today until 30 April. The Hong Kong International Licensing Show and Asian Licensing Conference are running concurrently from today until 29 April, also at HKCEC. Together, the six trade fairs have attracted some 5,600 exhibitors from over 30 countries and regions. 

HKTDC Executive Director Sophia Chong said: "Hong Kong has long served as the key gateway for global businesses connecting with the Chinese Mainland, playing the role of super connector and super value-adder that bridges the Chinese Mainland's vast market with the rest of the world. Backed by its solid strengths, well developed innovation ecosystem and robust intellectual property infrastructure, Hong Kong is the ideal base for companies to grow their businesses, pursue creativity and innovation, and bring them to commercial fruition."

Creative gifts and home products converge; Gifts & Premium Fair and Home InStyle serve as platforms for new product launches

The Gifts & Premium Fair and Home InStyle continue to offer buyers a diverse range of gifts and home products spanning cultural creativity, sustainability, innovative materials and gerontechnology. Selected highlights from both fairs are brought together on the new "Reimagine" themed floor at HKCEC Hall 5, giving buyers a one-stop overview of the latest global trends in lifestyle homeware and gifting products, while inspiring the industry to envision future product possibilities with fresh perspectives and inspiration.

Both fairs are also attracting exhibitors to unveil latest products. Wei Yit Vacuum Flask Manufactory (Booth: 1E-D02), an exhibitor at the Gifts & Premium Fair, is debuting the Camel Brand MINI20 thermos blind box, created by Hong Kong illustrator Pen So and Hong Kong contemporary artist Jerry Cho. With the Camel Brand celebrating its 85th anniversary – the same year as Bruce Lee’s 85th birth anniversary - the exhibitor is also launching another special co-branded thermos.   

Home InStyle exhibitor PREN Ltd (Booth: 5E-C20) is making its first-ever public introduction of an infection-prevention mobile toilet — an installation-free, waterless unit requiring no repeated disinfection and no direct contact with waste before and after use, incorporating health monitoring capabilities that seamlessly bring professional care into modern households.

Gifts & Premium Fair spotlights design-led gifts

The Hall of Fine Designs at the Gifts & Premium Fair, located at HKCEC Hall 1, once again gathers over 100 local and international exhibitors, featuring premium, design-led products ranging from stationery and home accessories to smart collectibles incorporating the latest technologies. Star Industrial Co., Ltd (Booth: 1C-G03) presents the Red A "Made in Hong Kong" mini-series blind boxes, evoking nostalgic memories of Hong Kong daily life from the 1960s to the 1990s through iconic household items. Moral Team Holdings Ltd (Booth: 1C-E05) introduces the Napier Coded backpack designed for pickleball enthusiasts, crafted from recycled materials and combining sports with sustainability elements.

Home InStyle shapes the future of home living

Funded by the Innovation and Technology Commission, Home InStyle this year presents the Gerontech and Innovative Material Pavilion (Booth: 5E-C20), showcasing over 20 local enterprises to feature gerontechnology products, smart living solutions and home products made from innovative materials.

Scan Infinity Ltd presents the TechFitX Smart Sports Training System, which uses interchangeable modules and gamified training to help seniors easily build an exercise routine at home. The United Nations University Hub on Humanitarian Innovation and Technology at Lingnan University showcases IntuCREW, a smart power-assist solution designed to reduce the physical burden on caregivers when maneuvering wheelchairs. Other highlights include Sinomax's bionic ultrasonic sleep soother, German Pool's Natural Wellness Machine, and Afontane's self-cleaning bedding system.

On the innovative materials front, Lotux International Holdings Co., Limited’sbiodegradable tableware and food containers are made from lotus stems alongside lotus fibre deodorising cat litter; Editecture showcases the reEDIT upcycled chair made from recycled plastic bottles and bottle cap fragments; and Mush Composites presents bio-based tiles produced from agricultural by-products and mycelium for decorative surface applications.

Another focal point of Home InStyle, the Cultural and Creative Avenue, gathers design institutions and culturally inspired brands from over 10 countries and regions. Highlights include Indonesia's PT MANAMU ANAIA SUMBA (Booth: 5E-C09A) with its Banoura bracelets; Czech exhibitor Izaak Reich Crystal s.r.o. (Booth: 5E-A14), featuring handcrafted glass with over 150 years of heritage; UK exhibitor Block Design (Booth: 5E-C09B) with double-sided sculptural glass vases; Taiwan exhibitor Karari (Booth: 5E-A18) with incense accessories; and a Macao exhibitor (Booth: 5E-A16) featuring 3D-printed creations. Pantone returns as colour partner, presenting home décor trends through the PANTONE 2026 Colour of the Year "Cloud Dancer".

Fashion InStyle showcases global innovation in fashion materialsThe highlighted zone NEXT@Fashion InStyle (NEXT), organised by the HKTDC and sponsored by the HKSAR Government's the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA), returns this year to demonstrate how material innovation is driving industry transformation and advancing sustainability across the fashion sector. The Philippines joins as the featured partner, powered by the Philippine Trade and Investment Centre – Hong Kong (PTIC-HK) and the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM). NEXT brings together over 60 exhibitors from across the globe.

Exhibitors include Belgium's Bloom Biotech (Booth: 3F-F09), showcasing microalgae leather, the world's first carbon-neutral leather alternative produced through scalable green technology; At Booth: 3F-E04, Finland's Spinnova PLC’s SPINNOVA® is a next-generation textile fibre derived from wood or waste cellulose, and compatible with conventional textile processes and seamlessly blendable with cotton to deliver scalable, recyclable solutions for apparel and beyond; and Vietnam's Thai Son S.P Co., Ltd. (Booth: 3F-F03), has a range of fabrics that includes ramie fabric, a material with over 3,000 years of history and celebrated for its outstanding performance and natural antibacterial properties. The NEXT zone also features exhibitors from Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Iceland, Indonesia, Sweden, Thailand, and the United States, among others.

Returning as project ambassador, Han Chong, founder and creative director of internationally acclaimed brand self-portrait, leads six local designer brands, each drawing on forward-looking materials selected from eight participating material suppliers to create cross-disciplinary collections. In a first for the project, materials sourced from beyond Hong Kong and Chinese Mainland are incorporated this year, bringing fresh creative momentum to the field of fashion material innovation. For example, design label WILSONKAKI fuses the world's lightest H2 fabric from French supplier Chargeurs PCC, mycelium leather from Indonesian supplier MYCL-Mycotech Lab, and natural fibres from Hong Kong supplier Texwinca Holdings Ltd, to craft everyday pieces that balance lightweight protection with a natural tactile quality through lamination and bonding techniques. The full design collection will be unveiled at tomorrow's NEXT fashion parade.

Fashion InStyle also features dedicated zones including the Designer Spotlight, Materials Bazaar, Fashion Accessories, Women in Style, Bridal & Evening Wear, and Athleisure, presenting a rich selection of ready-to-wear and accessories. Glory G International Limited (Booth: 3G-B31) presents its "Resilience" collection  of lightweight suede denim, challenging the conventional perception of heavy denim outerwear; Hong Kong Haiyuan Limited (Booth: 3G-F18) showcases decorative and functional tassel ornaments designed to be attached to handbags, keys and everyday accessories; while Bibi Hanum from Uzbekistan (Booth: 3F-G29) brings traditional silk ikat patchwork wrap skirts.

Printing & Packaging Fair and DeLuxe PrintPack Hong Kong present green solutions and high-end craftsmanship

The Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair and DeLuxe PrintPack Hong Kong,co-organised by the HKTDC and CIEC Exhibition Company (HK) Limited, continue to highlight innovative, eco-friendly and premium printing and packaging solutions. Elements Printing and Packaging Limited (Booth: 3-E01) introduces FSC Transparent Non-plastic packaging products and FSC Glassine Paper Bag, championing plastic-free, recyclable design principles. BSN International Hong Kong Limited (Booth: 3-E02) offers radio frequency identification (RFID) () labels incorporating paper-based inner layers for sustainable design. Guangzhou Xingqiyuan Trading Co., Ltd. (Booth: 3-E11) presents eco-friendly wet-press paper-pulp packaging made from agricultural waste.

At DeLuxe PrintPack Hong Kong, Ijen Enterprises Ltd. (Booth: 3-A05) presents 3D rotating music boxes and vintage phonograph gift packaging that integrate music, storage and packaging. Marshallom (Holdings) Limited (Booth: 3-A08) showcases a floral-and-bird paper lantern canister with a dual-purpose design that extends the product lifecycle, alongside the "Victoria Harbour Day & Night" gift box combining light and shadow effects with storage and premium food packaging.

Licensing Show launches IP and e-Commerce Support Services zone for the first timeThe Hong Kong International Licensing Show welcomes more than330 exhibitors from Hong Kong, Chinese Mainland and across Asia, showcasing more than 600 brands and intellectual property (IP) projects spanning arts and culture, animation and characters, brand extension, lifestyle, entertainment and sports licensing.  

In line with direction of the HKSAR Government's policy to strengthen Hong Kong businesses' competitiveness on cross-border e-commerce, the fair introduces for the first time a dedicated IP and e-Commerce Support Services zone. The zone unites e-commerce platforms, KOLs, marketing and PR firms — including e-commerce platform Digitify Online Growth (Booth: 5G-E04) and marketing firm Matrix Promotion Limited (Booth: 5G-F01) — to support brands and IPs in capitalising on the new opportunities generated by e-commerce growth. Throughout the fair, e-commerce associations will conduct workshops on topics including establishment of e-commerce platforms, global market expansion via e-commerce channels, and livestreaming commerce, equipping the industry to stay ahead of the curve.

Headline IPs at the Licensing Show include Potatoz by 9GAG Limited (Booth: 5G-D20), LuLu the Piggy by Toyzeroplus Limited (Booth: 5G-A24), Café de Bollo by Yogurt Studio Ltd. (Booth: 5F-G20), along with Chinese Mainland IP Quby (Booth: 5G-A22), Korean IP LOTTY FRIENDS (Booth: 5F-G36) and Thai IP Warbie Yama (Booth: 5G-A51). Organised by the Innovative Entrepreneur Association (IEA) and sponsored by Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) of the HKSAR Government, the Design Licensing and Business (DLAB) Support Scheme again stages the DLAB Hong Kong Pavilion at the Hong Kong International Licensing Show, featuring close to 40 exhibitors showcasing a diverse portfolio of Hong Kong original brands and IPs. The HKTDC also continues its collaboration with the Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, with Hong Kong Design Institute joining as a new partner this year, to present the Hong Kong Licensing Force Showcase, spotlighting the creativity of Hong Kong's emerging talents.

The concurrent Asian Licensing Conference invites industry leaders to examine key market developments. Today's programme features Maura Regan, President and CEO of Licensing International, presenting the "Global Licensing Trends to Watch in 2026".  With the FIFA World Cup taking place this year, the conference also welcomes Alessandro Villa, Senior Licensing Manager of FIFA, and Ivan Chan, Founder and CEO of Promotional Partners Worldwide to share the commercial strategies underpinning successful sports licensing. Mark Mao, Executive Vice President and Head of Sales at COVER Corporation will explore how Virtual YouTubers forge connections with GenZ through strategic social media engagement on the next day.

Industry seminars and forums explore emerging market opportunitiesTo help industry professionals keep pace with the latest developments, around 60 thematic seminars, buyer forums, product presentations and launch events will be held throughout the fairs, covering trending topics including the silver economy, market trends, culture and innovation, and sustainability.

Among the seminar highlights, the Printing & Packaging Fair and DeLuxe PrintPack Hong Kong will present a seminar co-organised by the HKTDC and the Hong Kong Digital Printing Association, titled “From Prompt to Reality: Revolutionizing Visual Design and Printing with Generative AI and Digital Printing”, examining how generative AI and digital printing are driving innovative transformation across the industry. 

The Gifts & Premium Fair and Home InStyle will host “Re-Gifted: Trends and Triumphs in Sustainable Home & Gift Design”, exploring new directions in sustainable design. Fashion InStyle will stage the seminar “Cultural Fusion in Lifestyle Design: The Surreal Aesthetics of Motifx”, offering the industry the latest market insights, innovative thinking and practical strategies.

Photo Download: https://bit.ly/4vQE39E

Websites
HKTDC Media Room: https://mediaroom.hktdc.com/en
Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair: https://www.hktdc.com/event/hkgiftspremiumfair/en
Home InStyle: https://www.hktdc.com/event/homeinstyle/en
Fashion InStyle: https://www.hktdc.com/event/fashioninstyle/en
Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair: https://www.hktdc.com/event/hkprintpackfair/en
DeLuxe PrintPack Hong Kong: https://www.hktdc.com/event/deluxeprintpackhk/en
Hong Kong International Licensing Show and Asian Licensing Conference: https://www.hktdc.com/event/hklicensingshow/en

Media enquiries

For enquiries, please contact:

HKTDC Newsroom: http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/en

About HKTDC

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. The HKTDC is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade. With over 50 offices globally, including 13 in the Chinese Mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. 

HONG KONG, Apr 23, 2026 - (ACN Newswire) - The 3rd Smart Lighting Expo and the 17th Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition), organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), successfully concluded today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The four-day fairs brought together some 900 exhibitors and attracted some 13,000 buyers from 114 countries and regions for on-site visits and sourcing. Buyer numbers recorded growth, including those from Asian markets such as Malaysia and the Philippines; European markets including France, Germany, the Netherlands, Russia and Türkiye; and North and South American markets, including Brazil, Canada and the US, highlighting Hong Kong’s role as a key global hub for lighting products and technology exchange.

Jenny Koo, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC, said: "This year’s two lighting fairs attracted industry-leading enterprises who showcased cutting-edge high-performance, smart lighting and sustainable products and solutions. The events also attracted quality buyers from global markets. This helps companies diversify supply chains, explore new markets, and underscores Hong Kong’s strength as an ‘International Exhibition Capital’ which boosts efficient business platforms. The fairs are the preferred platform for the industry to showcase innovation, connect with global buyer networks and accelerate business development.”

Survey findings: Respondents were most optimistic about the India and Australia markets

To keep abreast of the latest industry developments, the HKTDC conducted an on-site survey during the fairs, interviewing 450 exhibitors and buyers. The findings show that overall confidence among exhibitors and buyers in future business development has shown a general increase.

Key market outlook and product trend findings:

49.1% of respondents expect overall sales to increase in the next 12 to 24 months, while 47.6% expect sales to remain stable.Respondents consider India (73.4%), Australia (71%), ASEAN countries (70.4%), and Japan (68.1%) to be promising or very promising target sales markets for lighting products over the next two years in terms of growth.In terms of new market development, exhibitor respondents are actively exploring Middle East (31.8%), Europe (29.5%), ASEAN countries (23.9%), Latin America (17.6%) and North America (14.8%).In the smart lighting segment, respondents identified home automation and intelligent lighting control systems (48.2%), energy saving lighting control solutions (38.2%), and outdoor smart security lighting systems (31.1%) as having the greatest growth potential over the next two years.Compared with conventional lighting products, respondents indicated that consumers are willing to pay an average premium of 29% for lighting products equipped with smart functions.

Scenario-based displays and new zones enhance sourcing effectiveness, with positive trade outcomes

The newly launched “Light Lab” features various scenario-based and immersive designs, integrating lighting products into landscape, sports, cultural and artistic application settings. Shanghai Sansi Electronic Engineering showcased plant clamp lights and compact downlights suitable for museum applications. Guoli Zhu, Deputy Chief Engineer of the company said: “The Light Lab has effectively enhanced the presentation of our products, enabling buyers to more intuitively and swiftly grasp product features and their real-world application scenarios. This has successfully attracted buyers from Argentina, Canada, Germany, India, Japan and the US to visit our booth for in-depth discussions. We expect this to result in orders worth over US$1 million.”

The Smart Lighting Expo also debuted the “Smart Display and Stage Lighting & Sound Zone” which displayed a wide range of intelligent display solutions. Industry leader Absen participated in the fair for the first time. Benjamin Tang, Senior Sales Engineer, said: “The new zone has effectively enhanced product visibility, attracting buyers from Eastern Europe, Oceania, North America, South America, and South Asia to our booth. These inquiries came from new clients across key sectors such as cultural tourism and stage engineering. We have also successfully engaged in several promising collaboration discussions with potential clients from the Dominican Republic, Hong Kong and Thailand, further strengthening the company’s market expansion plan. We estimate the value of orders from the expo will amount to US$930,000. Riding on this momentum, we have decided to join the Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition) this year.”

The newly launched “Leisure Lighting Zone” has injected new momentum into the Spring Lighting Fair. Rebecca Seo, CFO of NIZ, a first-time exhibitor from Korea, said: “The fair has provided us with an excellent platform to connect with international buyers. We have successfully connected with buyers from Denmark, Germany, Japan, and the US, and a well-known Japanese homeware retailer has already placed an on-site order. Thanks to the strong traffic generated by the new zone, we expect the fair to bring up to US$70 million in orders for our company this year."

Supported by Zhongshan as the Special Partner City, the fairs featured the Zhongshan Guzhen Pavilion and Zhongshan Henglan Pavilion under the Zhongshan Smart Home Zone, presenting the manufacturing strength and competitiveness of the region’s lighting industry while supporting enterprises in “going global”. Merry Liu, Manager of Bairan Lighting, an industrial enterprise above designated size in Henglan, Zhongshan, said: “The two lighting fairs provide Zhongshan enterprises with an efficient ‘go-global’ gateway, enabling us to connect directly with buyers from Europe, the Middle East, South America, and Southeast Asia. This helps drive our products and brand onto the international stage. We expect to achieve US$2 million in sales.”

During the fair, the HKTDC organised a buying mission to Zhongshan for the first time, visiting several lighting factories and participating in business matching meetings. This initiative aimed to deepen exchange and cooperation within the Zhongshan lighting supply chain. The visit successfully facilitated several substantive business collaborations; New Zealand buyer Spark100 Ltd established a connection with a Zhongshan lighting supplier, with a potential order value estimated between US$100,000 and US$300,000.

This year’s exhibition also attracted buyers from the Middle East. Patrick Zhang, VP of sales of Tecnon Lighting Technology from the Shenzhen Pavilion, stated: “At this year’s fair, a buyer from the United Arab Emirates and a US buyer from a leading women’s fashion brand are likely to become our cooperation partners. We expect to generate US$2 million in sales turnover for our company.”

As construction projects in the ASEAN region accelerate, market demand for smart lighting solutions continues to expand. Sambath HK, Manager of RS Decoration from Cambodia, stated, “I travelled here specifically to source lighting products for 14 new commercial building and luxury residential projects. I have already met with over 20 new suppliers and identified two potential partners offering smart street lights, solar lights, and decorative lighting products. I will initially purchase US$100,000 worth of smart street lights.”

Driven by the Belt and Road Initiative, urban development in participating countries and regions are in full swing, fuelling a continuous surge in demand for high-efficiency and smart lighting products. Aigerim Beisekina, Supply Manager of Karelz.kz from Kazakhstan, said: “This is our first time visiting the twin lighting fairs, to find reliable suppliers for a solar-powered stadium and sports lighting for three international schools currently under construction in Kazakhstan. Through the Click2Match business matching platform, we have identified three potential suppliers from the Chinese Mainland and plan to purchase lighting equipment valued between US$600,000 and US$900,000.”

During the fairs, multiple professional events were held, including the Asian Lighting Conference and the Smart Lighting Solutions Forum. Designers and industry representatives from different regions shared market trends, application cases and technological developments, providing forward-looking market insight for the industry.

EXHIBITION+ model sustains post-fair business opportunities

Under the hybrid EXHIBITION+ model, the twin lighting fairs combined in-person sourcing with online meetings via the HKTDC’s Click2Match smart business-matching platform and hktdc.com sourcing platform. Click2Match will be available until 30 April to facilitate discussions between exhibitors and buyers around the world.

Photo download:  https://bit.ly/42m6sqD

Websites

Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition): hklightingfairse.hktdc.com/tc
Smart Lighting Expo: smartlightingexpo.hktdc.com/tc
HKTDC Mediaroom: http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/en

Media enquiries

HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Stanley So Tel: (852) 2584 4049 Email: stanley.hp.so@hktdc.org
Navin Law Tel: (852) 2584 4525  Email: navin.cm.law@hktdc.org
Serena Cheung Tel: (852) 2584 4272 Email: serena.hm.cheung@hktdc.org

About HKTDC

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. The HKTDC is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade. With over 50 offices globally, including 13 in the Chinese Mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus.

SINGAPORE, Apr 23, 2026 - (ACN Newswire) - Sinch Mailgun, part of Sinch, has released its Email Impact Report 2026, introducing new industry benchmarks across 10 high-volume sending sectors and revealing a gap between email performance and execution.

Based on insights from more than 400 billion emails sent in 2025 and a global survey of over 1,200 email senders, the report shows that while email remains a critical, high-performing channel, poor deliverability is leaving significant revenue on the table. Nearly 18% of emails fail to reach the inbox, putting up to a fifth of potential return on investment at risk for many organisations.

78% of respondents say email is critical to business success. At the same time, the research highlights a growing disconnect between performance and execution, driven by gaps in measurement, deliverability practices and AI application.

“APAC businesses rely heavily on email to drive sales, loyalty and customer experience but many are not set up to capture its full value,” said Ginger Kidd, Vice President Marketing & Communications APAC at Sinch. “What we see in this data reflects what’s happening locally: brands are investing in email and seeing strong returns, yet there is still a high number of messages that never reach inboxes. For instance, in a market as competitive and cost-conscious as Australia, marketers simply can’t afford for emails to get lost in inboxes. When budgets are under pressure, fixing deliverability is one of the fastest ways to unlock more value from the spend they already have.”

AI adoption is widespread, but its impact remains uneven. Many teams focus on basic use cases such as content generation, while higher-impact applications such as optimisation, segmentation and deliverability remain underutilised. Organisations that use AI more effectively are significantly more likely to report improved email performance.

Ginger Kidd said: "Across the diverse markets of APAC, we’re seeing a common theme: marketers are enthusiastically adopting AI, but the initial focus has primarily been on content creation. The true opportunity now lies in leveraging AI for smarter decision-making. For instance, who to send to, how often, and with what level of risk. This strategic shift is the key to ensuring every campaign improves performance, not just adds volume.

“The most sophisticated teams are already using AI to predict which subscribers are at risk of disengaging, to fine-tune send times and to protect sender reputation. That’s where we’re seeing a real uplift in performance, not just faster content production.”

Key findings of the report include:

• 60% of companies measuring email ROI report returns above $10 for every $1 spent
• More than 1 in 10 achieve returns as high as 40:1
• 46% say AI improves speed and efficiency
• 41% of teams use AI to generate email content
• 23% say AI has not improved their email programs
• 49% report improved email performance year-over-year
• 79% plan to maintain or increase investment in email
• Fewer than half of organisations can confidently measure email ROI

About the report

The Email Impact Report 2026 combines:

• Data from 400+ billion emails sent in 2025
• Insights from 1,200+ email senders globally
• Benchmarks across 10 high-volume industries

Read more about the report here.

About Sinch

Sinch’s vision is to connect every business with every customer, everywhere in the world. With the industry’s most trusted foundation for intelligent customer communications, Sinch powers over 900 billion customer interactions annually for more than 200,000 customers across the globe. Leading global companies, including AI innovators, rely on Sinch to strengthen customer relationships and deliver seamless experiences across messaging, email and voice. Profitable since its founding in 2008, Sinch generated net sales of USD 3 billion (SEK 27 billion) in 2025 and has over 4,000 Sinchers in 60 countries, with headquarters in Stockholm. Sinch is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm (XSTO: SINCH). Visit us at sinch.com.

About Sinch Mailgun

Sinch Mailgun is the email infrastructure platform built for developers and businesses that demand reliable, high-performance delivery at scale. Trusted by companies worldwide, Mailgun powers transactional, marketing, and programmatic email through a developer-first API, advanced deliverability tools, and real-time analytics. As part of Sinch — the industry’s most trusted foundation for intelligent customer communications — Mailgun connects businesses to their customers through every send, at every scale. Visit us at mailgun.com.

For more information, please contact:
Tracey Choo
Communications Manager, APAC at Sinch
E-mail: tracey.choo@sinch.com

HONG KONG, Apr 14, 2026 - (ACN Newswire) - In view of the growing and increasingly pressing demand from mainland enterprises to go global, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) has launched GoGlobal Connect. This will leverage the resources of HKTDC’s 51 offices worldwide to strengthen its service offerings and facilitate more effective connections between mainland enterprises and Hong Kong’s professional service providers, while strengthening ties to explore global business opportunities and enhance Hong Kong’s role as an international platform.

The GoGlobal Connect launch ceremony was held today at the HKTDC SME Service Centre. The ceremony was officiated by Algernon Yau, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the Hong Kong SAR Government, and Prof Frederick Ma, Chairman of the HKTDC. It was witnessed by more than 200 enterprise representatives of mainland enterprises and Hong Kong service providers.

In his welcoming remarks, Prof Ma said: “According to the World Trade Organization’s latest report, Hong Kong rose to become the world’s fifth-largest merchandise trading economy in 2025, reflecting the strong resilience of Hong Kong’s external trade and reaffirming its status as an international trade centre. This year marks the launch of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan. The HKTDC will take a proactive approach to help Hong Kong better integrate into and serve the nation’s overall development strategy. Through the newly launched GoGlobal Connect initiative, we will leverage Hong Kong’s strengths in internationally oriented professional services to lower the threshold for mainland enterprises to go global and support their steady and well‑managed overseas expansion.”

In his opening remarks, Algernon Yau said that the HKTDC officially launched the GoGlobal Connect service today, along with an enhanced cross-sectoral professional services platform, further strengthening the support provided by the GoGlobal Task Force for mainland enterprises. He said: “The Task Force will continue to actively advance various initiatives, including attracting strategically valuable mainland enterprises to develop their businesses in Hong Kong. At the same time, we will continue to organise promotional and matchmaking events across different sectoral themes in Hong Kong and the mainland, and invite mainland enterprises to join overseas business missions, allowing them to gain first-hand understanding of local market situations.”

Helping mainland enterprises go global

The HKTDC’s GoGlobal Connect initiative will provide support in four key areas, by:

Establishing a cross-sectoral professional services platform, which brings together professional service providers from eight key sectors to facilitate connections with mainland enterprises;Setting up GoGlobal Connect zones at HKTDC’s flagship events, where service providers can offer on-site consultations;Incorporating GoGlobal Connect elements into trade promotion activities held in the Chinese Mainland, to promote Hong Kong as a platform for enterprises going global;Leveraging the HKTDC’s global network to strengthen market connections.

The GoGlobal Connect service will also be available at the HKTDC SME Service Centre.

Following the launch ceremony, Yao Chenpeng, Vice President of Transfar Group, a mainland enterprise, shared the company’s plans to establish an overseas business headquarters in Hong Kong. He said that the Group’s overseas business has continued to grow in recent years, necessitating the establishment of an international management centre to handle matters such as tax planning and overseas contracts, and that the professional services available in Hong Kong are well placed to meet the company’s needs.

He noted that after sharing the idea with the HKTDC in July last year, the Council promptly arranged meetings between the Group and relevant government departments, major chambers of commerce and industry associations in Hong Kong. The HKTDC also introduced the Group to Hong Kong professional service providers to help it understand the incentives and procedures for establishing operations in Hong Kong and to build business networks.

Subsequently, at the Belt and Road Summit held in September last year, the HKTDC introduced professional service providers to the Group and facilitated the signing of cooperation agreements, providing practical support for the Group’s global expansion plans.

A survey conducted in the Chinese Mainland by the HKTDC earlier this year among more than 2,000 mainland enterprises showed that 83% plan to leverage Hong Kong’s professional services to support their global expansion, a significant increase from 62% from a similar survey conducted in 2023. The findings underscore Hong Kong’s strengths as the preferred service platform for mainland enterprises going global.

The Hong Kong SAR Government recently set up the GoGlobal Task Force and launched a thematic website in March (www.goglobal.gov.hk). The website includes a link to HKTDC’s cross-sectoral professional services platform, which provides one-stop information and professional support for mainland enterprises seeking to expand overseas via Hong Kong, helping them better leverage Hong Kong’s diverse international strengths to plan and implement their global expansion strategies. The platform has recently enhanced its service provider database and optimized the user interface. In the second half of the year, we will onboard more service providers and continue to improve the platform and matching functions to deliver more comprehensive support to mainland enterprises.

Photo download: https://bit.ly/4tCTfVW

Media enquiries

Please contact the HKTDC’s Communications and Public Affairs Department:

About HKTDC

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. The HKTDC is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade. With over 50 offices globally, including 13 in the Chinese Mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels.

HONG KONG, Mar 12, 2026 - (ACN Newswire) – As the average age of the global population continues to rise, the Chinese Mainland is now home to the world’s largest number of seniors. Recognising this, the country’s 15th Five-Year Plan calls for proactive measures to address the challenges of an increasingly ageing population. The silver economy is set to be one of the vital engines for the mainland's next wave of economic growth.

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) has released a new consumer survey report, Chinese Mainland Silver Economy Opportunities, that details the strong spending power of the mainland’s affluent, middle-class senior consumers, as well as the vast untapped potential of this particular sector of society. With securing "happiness" and ensuring "quality" as their spending priorities, the survey shows that such consumers regard Hong Kong-made products as guaranteed to be authentic, while the city’s services sector is seen as professional and reliable. As a result, many of these consumers pronounce a willingness to pay a "Hong Kong premium".

Believing that the continued expansion of the mainland's silver economy represents significant opportunities for Hong Kong businesses, Bruce Pang, HKTDC Director of Research, said: "Among other priorities, the 15th Five-Year Plan focuses on boosting domestic demand as a means of driving economic growth. Inevitably, this will create opportunities for Hong Kong companies looking to expand into the Chinese Mainland market.

“By gaining a deeper understanding of the consumption patterns of mainland seniors, particularly those in the higher-spending middle-class and affluent segments, Hong Kong businesses will be able to effectively penetrate the domestic market."

To gain a more in-depth understanding of the development opportunities in the country’s silver economy, HKTDC surveyed more than 2,000 middle-class/affluent senior consumers in various mainland cities last year. The broad cross-section of respondents included those in their 50s starting to plan their retirement, those entering retirement in their 60s, and the older post-retirement population (aged 70 and above). According to the survey’s findings, respondents' average monthly expenditure on daily consumer goods and services was approximately RMB7,000, rising to RMB8,000 for those in first-tier cities.

Commenting on the findings of the survey, Wing Chu, the HKTDC’s Deputy Director of Research, who led the study, said: "Currently, the Chinese Mainland's silver economy is valued at about RMB7 trillion – some 6% of overall GDP. This is projected to surge to RMB30 trillion by 2035, indicating the segment’s huge development potential.

“The survey also showed that more than half of such consumers had purchased Hong Kong products or services, consequently holding Hong Kong brands in particularly high regard. It was also notable that 78% of respondents were willing to pay a premium for Hong Kong-sourced products, while 84% were willing to do so in the case of the city’s services sector. Typically, respondents were willing to pay a 16.4% premium on products and 15.4% premium on services, with those in first-tier cities happy to pay an even higher percentage for many types of products and services.”

Hong Kong brands enjoy stellar reputation

Overall, many of the mainland’s senior consumers have a highly positive view of Hong Kong brands, with the city’s products celebrated for their quality and authenticity, and its services for their professionalism and reliability. On the product front, 61% of respondents had purchased Hong Kong products in the past year, including health foods (24%), luxury goods (18%) and beauty and personal care products (17%). In terms of future purchases, respondents expressed the greatest interest in Hong Kong health foods, leisure foods and beverages.

Regarding the city’s services, 54% of senior respondents said they had utilised Hong Kong services in the past year, including beauty and personal care services (25%), travel to Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan (22%) and financial and wealth management services (20%). Over the next 12 months, the most sought-after Hong Kong services were said to relate to health and wellness services, followed by beauty and personal care services.

Digging deeper into the preferences of such consumers, HKTDC Economist Eric Chu said: "When choosing products and services, happiness is the priority for Chinese Mainland seniors, closely followed by value for money. With this in mind, Hong Kong businesses can leverage the silver economy by capitalising on the strong reputation and professional advantages of the city’s brands.

“Specifically, they should consider expanding into the higher-spending first and second-tier cities, while targeting the younger segment of the senior population. Enhancing the offline experience and fostering word-of-mouth recommendations, alongside optimised promotional efforts, will also help Hong Kong businesses stand out in the mainland’s rapidly growing silver market.”

Silver generation shaping a “blue ocean” of consumption

Taking a more in-depth look at the survey findings, 65% of respondents prioritised products or services that would enhance their leisure or bring them happiness, while 63% valued reasonable pricing and good value for money, and 62% focused more on the practicality and durability of the products or services on offer. Collectively, this indicates that mainland seniors are particularly concerned about their health and quality of life, while also valuing cost-effectiveness and functionality, marking them out as a notably mature and rational consumer group.

In terms of product consumption, 23.3% of respondents most frequently purchased food and beverages, followed by home products (12.6%) and clothing (12.5%). In the case of services, 20.3% utilised body wellness services most often, followed by beauty and personal care services (16.7%) and leisure and entertainment services (13.1%).

In addition, despite the popularity of online shopping across the mainland, the survey showed that physical stores remain the primary consumption channel for the more elderly demographic. For such consumers, offline experiences, in-person consultations and a sense of trust in products and services remain prime considerations.

To help businesses capitalise on opportunities arising from the silver economy market, the HKTDC has incorporated various related elements into many of its exhibitions and forums. This allows relevant companies to showcase their products and technologies, while also giving them the opportunity to explore the latest industry developments through a series of related seminar programmes.

Aligning with this approach, a thematic seminar on healthy ageing was held as part of the Asia Summit on Global Health, while the Rehabilitation and Elderly Care zone at the Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair featured the latest gerontechnology products. The Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Autumn Edition) also sought to showcase fitness and health products relevant to the senior market.

In addition, the Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair, held in January this year, introduced a new “Happy Ageing” label for silver market products, making it easier for buyers to identify toys and related products designed specifically for older consumers. The Asia Toys & Games Forum, held during the fair, hosted a discussion by a number of international experts on the optimum design of toys for the elderly, while also offering many other insights into the silver-focused toy market.

Looking ahead, the HKTDC will continue to provide comprehensive support to the business sector, enabling enterprises to further explore and develop opportunities in the growing silver economy market.

References

Report link: https://research.hktdc.com/en/article/MjI2ODIyMDg0Nw
HKTDC Research: http://research.hktdc.com/en

Photo download: https://bit.ly/4shpQjO

HKTDC Media Room: http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/en

Media enquiries

About HKTDC

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade. With over 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus.