The 7th World SME Expo, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), was successfully held from 12 to 14 December 2007 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Focused on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the annual event has been recognised as the region's flagship event and unique networking opportunity for all SMEs around the world.

Special Themes

This year's Expo put special emphasis on supporting outward processing enterprises in the Pearl River Delta move up the value chain and helping SMEs to capture Asia's expanding business opportunities. Besides, it made it even easier for SMEs to obtain first-hand market intelligence and business information on one hand and to meet and connect buyers and partners on the other over the three intensive days of exposition.

Two Major Zones

The Expo, for the first time, was redesigned into two major zones, Solutions Hall and Opportunities Hall. Solutions Hall - a designated area where SMEs easily found answers to the challenges they frequently encountered and just about everything they needed to enhance their competitiveness. Opportunities Hall - a treasure land where business opportunities and potential partnerships were profitably explored. Also SMEs discovered how the HKTDC could help their business.

Within these clearly defined areas, 327 trade support service providers, industry associations, government departments, consulates, trade and investment promotion organisations were housed in 10 themed pavilions to present their business solutions and market opportunities to SMEs from across the globe. The three-day exposition recorded a total of 26,100 visits, including 4,048 mainland enterprises and 1,337 attendees from 68 overseas countries.

Encouraging Figures

A total of 30 overseas business delegations from 19 countries visited the Expo. Participation of developing countries was encouraging, new delegations from Russia, Africa and the Philippines were successfully organised. The largest delegation of 100 SMEs was from Africa, followed by Russia, Brazil, Japan and USA. They were generally impressed by the variety of business matching activities, presentations, seminars, forums and networking events.

65 mainland delegations led by TPOs and government trade departments from over 20 major provinces and 30 cities presented their remarkable market potentials and investment opportunities to Hong Kong and overseas SMEs.

The post-event survey revealed that 93% of the exhibitors were satisfied with the Expo, whilst about 92% indicated that they achieved good results in expanding customer base. The survey also reflected a high visitors' satisfaction level on the overall performance of the Expo: 97% of the respondents rated the Expo either excellent or good; 96% indicated that they could contact with many SME support products and services; and 92% said they could strengthen their connections in the industry and seek business opportunities with appropriate partners.

Expo Highlights

International Business Convention

The International Business Convention on "Winning Strategies for the Next Global Stage" spotlighted the secrets of success in Asia, the region that offers unlimited business opportunities. Management guru Dr. Kenichi Ohmae addressed the challenges and opportunities of globalisation in Asia. Top-notch academics and business leaders from various industries including Prof Michael Enright (University of Hong Kong), Mrs. Margaret Leung (HSBC), Mr. Ed Chan (Wal-Mart China) and Mr. Jean-Pierre A. Verbiest (Asian Development Bank) also shared their valuable experience and views on developing Asia markets with 350 attendees.

Asia Opportunities

With the focus on Asia opportunities, the participation of Asian countries was encouraging. There were 22 exhibitors from Asian countries and around 500 Asian visitors from Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, Korea, the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, etc. A series of seminars on Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, India and Vietnam provided not only the latest market information and opportunities but also networking activities to over 1,000 attendees. The Standard Chartered Asia Night reception provided a relaxed ambience for over 400 SMEs to mingle, exchange views and make contacts for exploring business opportunities in Asia.
Processing Trade Industries Support Day

Processing Trade Industries Support Day

With the new development on processing trade policy in China, the "Processing Trade Industries Support Day" was arranged. Provinces and cities including Jiangxi, Nanchang, Changsha and Wuhan presented their economic situations and favourable market conditions for processing trade industries at a designated zone. Moreover, a wealth of seminars was added to address the hot issues like factory relocation, transformation and upgrade. With the support of the China Ministry of Commerce, the on-site China Business Advisory Service was well received by SMEs.

Facilitating Chinese Mainland Enterprises to "Go Out"

The Business Forum on Globalisation of Mainland Enterprises was held with the aim of facilitating mainland enterprises to leverage on Hong Kong's business platform and professional services to "go out", followed by a panel discussion for representatives of African countries and Hong Kong entrepreneurs to give views on the latest business environment and opportunities in Africa with the attendees. Possible tripartite co-operation opportunities among Africa, the mainland and Hong Kong SMEs were discussed.

Another tailor-made seminar was held to review the development of mainland SMEs and the financing challenges they faced. The award winners of "China's Leading Enterprises of Tomorrow" presented their achievements and explored co-operation opportunities with Hong Kong SMEs.

Sector-specific Co-operation

A total of 10 industry-specific symposia were organised for relevant counterparts from Hong Kong, the mainland and Asia to explore business opportunities, share market information, exchange views and discuss future development. Industries like Chinese medicine, textiles, logistics, metal, food, beauty, footwear, lighting, printing and packaging, and legal, arbitration and mediation were covered. Moreover, 37 manufacturing and service industries associations from Hong Kong and the mainland provided on-site advisory services and explored cross-border co-operations with industry players.

Business Networking Sessions

To facilitate tripartite partnerships among the mainland, Hong Kong and overseas SMEs, five networking events were specially arranged for delegations from Russia, Brazil, Middle East, USA and Japan.

To better match overseas and mainland SMEs with potential Hong Kong business partners, business networking appointments at the Expo were pre-arranged for SMEs, particularly from Brazil, Chile, Chicago, Japan and Tianjin.

SME Services Presentations, Seminars and Forums

A total of 70 exhibitors' presentations on their remarkable services, 32 topical seminars and 15 hot forums were conducted, covering a wide range of topics of SMEs' current concern and interests.

New SMEs Corner

Successful entrepreneurs shared their valuable experience and success stories in starting and operating their business through 12 sessions of workshops at the New SMEs Corner.

Looking Ahead

Following the continual success of the Expo, the 8th HKTDC World SME Expo will be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on 10 - 12 December 2008, along with the HKTDC Inno Design Tech Expo 2008 and the Business of Design Week 2008.