The third edition of the Lifestyle Expo opened its doors to buyers in Dubai, UAE today (November 10) at the Hyatt Regency in Deira.

 

The two-day event is being co-organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and China's Ministry of Commerce, Trade Development Bureau (Mofcom).

 

About 100 companies from Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland are featuring products of fashion and accessories, watches and clocks, electronics, and household items and gift items

 

More than 1,000 importers, distributors, mass retailers, mail-order houses, department stores and specialised stores from the UAE, Iran, Africa and other neighbouring countries and regions are expected to take part in the expo.  These include well-known retailers Jashanmal, the Nikai Group and JK Sons Group.

 

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Michael Hui, HKTDC Council Member, said there are enormous business opportunities emerging from China’s Belt and Road Initiative, “which is key to the Chinese mainland’s economic development and opening up to the world – including the world of business and investment here in the Middle East.”

 

He added that both Hong Kong and Dubai are well positioned to benefit from the Belt and Road Initiative, given their strong global business and financial links. 

 

“With Hong Kong and Dubai being key business and financial players in our respective regions, closer links between us will help our companies grasp the advantages as they emerge along the Belt and Road routes,” said Hui.

 

Raymond Yip, deputy executive director, further introduced the Belt and Road opportunities at the concurrent “Hong Kong-Dubai Business Collaboration Forum for SMEs,” adding that Hong Kong can help UAE companies capitalise on opportunities on various fronts, especially infrastructure, construction and finance, logistics, professional services, overseas direct investment and Chinese outbound investment.    

 

Hong Kong can play significant roles in the Belt and Road Initiative, as an international financial centre, a platform for overseas direct investment (ODI) and Chinese outbound investment, an integrator for infrastructure and real estate-related development, an arbitration and mediation centre, a logistics and maritime services hub, and a trading hub, he said.

 

About 100 companies from Hong Kong and the mainland provinces of Tianjin, Fujian and Guangdong are featuring their products at the Lifestyle Expo. A wide range of leading brands are being displayed under the categories of fashion and accessories, watches and clocks, electronics, and household items and gift items. 

 

More than 20 companies are also featured in the hktdc.com Small Orders showcase, where buyers can place orders of between five and 1,000 pieces.

 

A number of the city’s leading brands are taking part in the event, including renowned food company Lee Kum Kee, fashion houses Cocomojo and Melkco, watch manufacturer 2CAN and specialists Lomax and WKLED.

 

Accomplished designers Derek Chan, Walter Kong and Jessica Lau, Matt Hui and Mountain Yam have also brought their designs to the event’s Fashionally zone. Award-winning products from various sectors including printing, gifts and innovation and technology are also on show.

 

Meanwhile, the Expo offers an opportunity for entrepreneurs and businesses in the UAE to network with providers of unique and quality products from Hong Kong and the mainland. 

 

According to the latest statistics, China is the UAE’s top trading partner with bilateral trade expected to reach $100 billion for this year.

 

The UAE is Hong Kong’s largest export market in the Middle East. Last year, Hong Kong’s exports to the UAE were $6.2 billion, an increase of 25 per cent year-on-year.

 

To exemplify and enhance the 'Hub-to-Hub' synergy, the HKTDC, in collaboration with Dubai Exports and other business councils in Dubai will also stage a two-day forum concurrently with the Lifestyle Expo. 

 

Various speakers from different organisations and companies will share their latest business updates on how to better utilise the emerging business opportunities in the UAE and Hong Kong via such hubs to penetrate the Asia, Middle East and Africa markets.

 

On day two of the event, a special business networking session is being co-organised with the Iranian Business Council in Dubai to explore potential co-operation among the attendees following all the recent market-related developments in Iran. - TradeArabia News Service