The Hong Kong International Lighting Fair and the Hong Kong International Hardware & Home Improvement Fair opened on Wednesday.

Speaking at the opening of the four-day twin fairs, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (TDC) Fred Lam said the local lighting and hardware sectors would be given a strong boost by Cepa III as the agreement allows almost all Hong Kong-origin products to enter the mainland market tariff-free.

Lam said, "Made in Hong Kong products already have a premium on the mainland. With Cepa, more Hong Kong manufacturers will be attracted to invest in research and development, design and branding businesses. Hong Kong products can compete more effectively in the mainland and sell to a potential market of middle class consumers."

The lighting show, which is the largest of its kind in Asia, has attracted 1,035 companies from 27 countries and regions, representing a 16 percent growth. First-time participants are from Macao, Norway and Singapore.

A wide variety of lighting products, ranging from Christmas lights to lighting for emergency, safety and entertainment use, flashlights, bulbs and lampshades are on display at the lighting show.

The concurrent hardware show has attracted 156 exhibitors from Hong Kong, the Chinese mainland, Taiwan, Austria, Canada, Japan and Malaysia, 13 percent more than last year's show.

Stimulated by the fast-growing construction industry in the Chinese mainland, there is rising demand for lighting, hardware and home improvement products, generating more opportunities for buyers and sellers in the lighting and hardware business.

In the first eight months this year, Hong Kong exported 33 percent more lighting products and 12 percent more hardware to the mainland.

In the same period, Hong Kong exported 7.8 billion Hong Kong dollars (1 billion US dollars) worth of lighting products and 52.9 billion Hong Kong dollars (6.78 billion US dollars) worth of hardware products to the world, an increase of 3 percent and 12 percent respectively.

Organized by the TDC, the twin fairs run until Oct. 29 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center.

Source: Xinhua