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Following is a question by the Hon Wong Ting-kwong and a written reply by the Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, Mr Joseph W P Wong, in the Legislative Council today (January 24):
Question:
While a number of international exhibitions were held in Hong Kong in recent years, places such as Singapore, Taiwan and Macao have been vigorously developing their exhibition industry at the same time. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) whether it knows, in each of the past three years, the number of international exhibitions held in Hong Kong, the number of visitors, the number of orders brought to the exhibitors concerned, as well as the percentage of such exhibitions held in Hong Kong for the first time; and
(b) whether it has assessed the impact of the development of exhibition industry in the neighbouring regions on Hong Kong's exhibition industry?
Reply:
Madam President,
Our quality convention and exhibition venues, excellent supporting facilities and business friendly environment have attracted many international exhibitions to Hong Kong every year. Our reply to the two parts of the question is set out below:
(a) The number of international exhibitions held at the two major exhibition venues in Hong Kong, namely the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) and the AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE), in the past three years, the number of visitors and the percentage of such exhibitions held in Hong Kong for the first time are set out below (see attachment):
The relevant parties have not collected statistics concerning the number of orders.
(b) We noted that the number of exhibition facilities in the neighbouring regions has been on the rise in recent years. In the face of the ever changing market trend and the new development of exhibition facilities in our vicinity, the Government has been strengthening our position as an international exhibition and convention centre by continuously enhancing Hong Kong's advantages and making strategic investments in convention and exhibition infrastructures to provide high quality facilities. In 2005, the Government rendered support to the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (TDC) on its proposal to expand the atrium link between HKCEC's Phase 1 and Phase 2. The expansion project will add 19,400 square metres of exhibition space, boosting HKCEC's total dedicated exhibition space by 42%, and is expected to be completed in 2009. We are actively pursuing with TDC the need for further expanding our exhibition facilities, including the development of HKCEC Phase 3 in Wanchai. We are also liaising with AWE with a view to an early commencement of the AWE Phase 2 expansion project, thereby increasing its total exhibition space to 100,000 square metres.
At the same time, the Government will continue to work closely with the industry to take proactive measures for attracting more international conventions and exhibitions to Hong Kong. Relevant departments including Invest Hong Kong, our economic and trade offices, TDC and the Hong Kong Tourism Board etc. will strive to promote Hong Kong's advantages as a convention and exhibition capital. Where necessary, the Government will also continue to assume a coordinating role for large-scale international conventions in areas such as security, traffic management and reception so as to facilitate their smooth running.
The Government will also enhance our liaison with relevant parties, including the industry, and adopt appropriate measures to reinforce Hong Kong's position as an international convention and exhibition centre.
Ends/Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Issued at HKT 15:45
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