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The Hong Kong Brand and Products Expo is used to offering a variety of bargains each year to induce a spending spree in the community. This year, against a backdrop of economic downturn, the Expo, which is to be held from 13 December 2008 to 4 January 2009, will be more zealously anticipated than ever. The long lost $1 bargain will make a comeback to attract business, with products like shampoo, candy floss, etc to be sold at a bargain price of $1 each. The Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong, the event organizer, believes that the special offers and bargains will boost the number of visitors and sales volume in the face of the financial tsunami. Although the fair will be two days shorter than those in the past, the Association expects an increase of visitor number by 5% to 2 million, and the total turnover of the fair is expected to exceed $100 million.
This year a total of 365 exhibitors will take up 750 booths. The venue will be partitioned into 10 thematic areas including Food and Beverages Zone; Organic and Green Food Zone; Grocery and Noodle Zone; Ginzeng, Dried Seafood and Soup Packs Zone; and Food Plaza. Mr. Paul T S Yin, President of the Association, said that despite the impact of the financial tsunami, the number of participating exhibitors and the amount of received sponsorship are slightly higher this year than those of the previous year. He believes that there will be more visitors coming to the fair as people are more likely to stay in Hong Kong and spend here due to the weak economic condition. He also anticipates the shopping sentiment to be enhanced by the bargains on offer, and the impact of the financial tsunami on the Expo to be minimal.
Mr Irons Sze, Vice President of the Association, added that many people will take this opportunity to make purchases for the Chinese New Year which arrives shortly after the fair. The Association has also arranged giveaways and a lucky draw to attract visitors to the fair. The grand prize of the lucky draw is a luxury car worth HK$120,000. According to estimation of the Association, the number of visitors this year will reach 2 million, exceeding 1.9 million of last year, and the total turnover of the fair will be more than HK$100 million. ■Translated by 開明
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