Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair 2008 to boost HK's USD 6.4 billion watch and clock export market.

Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair 2008 to boost HK's USD 6.4 billion watch and clock export market

World's largest event of its kind to provide global platform for sourcing premium timekeeping products

The HKTDC Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair 2008, the world's largest watch and clock fair, will be held from September 03 to September 07, 2008, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The event will reaffirm Hong Kong's leading position in the global timepiece export markets and will provide a perfect international platform for sourcing high-quality watches and clocks.

Jointly organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the Hong Kong Watch Manufacturers Association Ltd., and the Federation of Hong Kong Watch Trades and Industries Ltd., the annual fair is again expected to gather over 800 prominent exhibitors including major brands such as Hong Kong's Peace Mark Ltd.; France's Time & Diamond SA; and the Netherlands' S Weisz BV. The event attracted 800 exhibitors from 18 countries and regions in 2007; with more than 16,000 buyers coming from 100 countries and regions.

The five-day fair will highlight Hong Kong's leadership in the global timekeeping markets. The country was the world's second largest exporter of complete watches and clocks in terms of value and quantity in 2005, and exported USD 6.4 billion worth of timekeeping products in 2007, representing a 6 per cent increase over 2006. Other highly-anticipated event highlights are parades with live models showing exhibitors' products; the widely popular Asian Watch Conference; and the 25th Hong Kong Watch and Clock Design Competition.

"The Hong Kong Watch and Clock Design Competition works to enhance the design and quality of Hong Kong-made watches and clocks. Last year, we received more than 300 entries for the competition, which shows that design plays an increasingly important role in the industry. The 2008 competition themes are "Oriental Fascination" for the Open Group and "Beauty of China" for the Student Group," said Jerry Tsang, Co-Chairman of the 2007 Fair Organising Committee.

HKTDC conducted a watch survey in the Chinese mainland in 2007 which revealed that 50 per cent of respondents bought a watch based on its attractive design, reflecting the popularity of watches as fashion accessories. In response to this trend, the Hong Kong Watch and Clock Fair will once again feature the "Brand Name Gallery", where buyers can find over 100 original and licensed branded watches, as well as fine fashion labels and designer collections. Gallery participants will include o.d.m. from Hong Kong; CYRIL RATEL from Switzerland; Lafuma from France; Jacob Jensen from the Netherlands; and Angel Heart from Japan.

For more information, please visit www.hktdc.com/hkwatchfair.

[c] 2008 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)