Hong Kong and India have enjoyed robust bilateral trade relations on several products and services over the years. India was Hong Kong’s 7th major trading partner in the first 10 months of 2014, and trade performance between Hong Kong and India reached 20.7 billion dollars (over 1,29,000 crores). Hong Kong’s total export to India in the same period was 10.2 billion (over Rs 63,600 crores) while Hong Kong’s total import from India is 10.5 billion dollars.

To further strengthen trade-ties, Rajesh Bhagat, Mumbai Consultant of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the global marketing arm for Hong Kong-based companies, has announced seven international fairs covering toys, baby products, stationery, fashion and jewellery industries. These will be held in Hong Kong in January and March 2015. They which will offer ideal platforms for traders and suppliers from India to expand their businesses into new markets.

Hong Kong is a positive economy which expanded by 2.4 percent year-on-year, in real terms, in the first three quarters of 2014, after growing by 2.9 percent in 2013. For 2014 as a whole, the economy is forecast to grow by 2.2 percent. Hong Kong’s merchandise exports saw an increase of 3.8 percent year-on-year in the first ten months of 2014. Exports should continue to expand, despite sustained challenges. Adding to Hong Kong’s business advantages, its year-round trade events bring together buyers and suppliers from both economies to develop their business.

Bhagat says last fiscal during April 2013-March 2014, HKTDC’s 30 fairs attracted over 35,000 exhibitors from 85 countries and regions, up around 3.8 percent. Over 755,000 buyers from 189 countries and regions visited the fairs, up 10.5 percent year-on-year. In 2014, over 760 exhibitors and 12,000 buyers from India participated in various HKTDC fairs.

The HKTDC organises more than 30 world-class international trade fairs in Hong Kong each year, four of which are the largest marketplaces of their kind in the world: the Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair, the Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair, the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show cum the Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show, as well as the Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Autumn Edition) cum electronic Asia.