Business backdrop to Hong Kong in Style 2005

Hong Kong in Style 2005, the annual trade fair in Dubai this month showcasing the best of Hong Kong's distinctly innovative products, will serve as backdrop for a business delegation from Hong Kong to meet government officials and influential business leaders. The aim of the delegation's mission is to promote bilateral trade links between the two cities.

The mission, led by David Eldon, Chairman of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, has been organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the official agency tasked with promoting trade with and through Hong Kong.

The HKTDC offers a range of free and premium services to Hong Kong and Middle East companies designed to assist in expanding their business, and has an international network of more than 40 offices, including 11 in the Chinese mainland.

Hong Kong and Dubai similar

Hong Kong and Dubai share many similarities. Both are duty-free ports with bustling commerce and diverse business concerns sustained by modern infrastructural amenities. Both cities are free-trade gateways for their surrounding regions, and both have witnessed massive economic growth in recent years.

Dubai provides access to a UAE market that accounted for $2.9 billion worth of exports from Hong Kong in 2004, a sharp rise of 15 per cent over 2003. The upward inclination has continued into 2005, with a further 2 per cent increase in the first seven months of the year.

Jeff Ambjorn, Director of the HKTDC's Dubai Office comments:

'Dubai is a business and commercial hub for the Middle East, and serves as an access point to a 260- million strong consumer market with high disposable incomes. Hong Kong companies are extremely interested in developing a stronger understanding of trade opportunities that this region provides. We feel there is a lot of room to grow our bilateral trade and we look forward to productive meetings.'

The delegation's visit complements a 200-strong participation of Hong Kong companies at the largest Expo of Hong Kong products, Hong Kong in Style 2005, to be held from November 7-10 at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre, and is part of a larger Middle East tour that includes a subsequent visit to Iran.

Highlight will be a glittering Hong Kong Extravaganza cocktail reception, gala dinner and product parade at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Dubai on November 7.