Following is the speech by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, at the Joint Opening Ceremony of the HKTDC Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair and the HKTDC Hong Kong Baby Products Fair 2025 today (January 6):
Sophia (Acting Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Ms Sophia Chong), Bryant (Chairman of the HKTDC Toys Advisory Committee, Mr Bryant Chan), consuls-general, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning. It is my pleasure to meet you all today at this Joint Opening Ceremony of the Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair and the Hong Kong Baby Products Fair.
As two of the most popular industry events in the region, the duo fairs have always been an important platform for exhibitors to showcase an array of innovative toys as well as baby products and generate business opportunities for suppliers and buyers. Entering the 51st year of the Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair, I have full confidence that the event, together with the concurrent Hong Kong Baby Products Fair, will continue to feature different innovative and distinctive products that are intriguing to all and, more importantly, facilitate business promotion and consolidate Hong Kong's position as a global sourcing as well as convention and exhibition hub.
Being one of the key industries in Hong Kong, convention and exhibition is crucial to developing our external trade and attracting the industry. We hope to see more organisers stage world-class conventions and exhibitions in Hong Kong. Meanwhile, we will continue to take forward the relevant initiatives of providing additional facilities, including the expansion of the AsiaWorld-Expo and the redevelopment of Wan Chai North, so that more space would be available for business people such as yourselves to meet and explore partnership in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong is more than a hub for toys and baby products. We are one of the best places to do business and have been so for decades. With our unique advantages under "one country, two systems", including our free and open market, low and simple tax regime, world-class financial services and a vast pool of interdisciplinary professionals, we encourage businesses worldwide to come to Hong Kong.
In addition, under the nation's 14th Five-Year Plan, Hong Kong will not only further strengthen its role as a connection platform between our country and the rest of the world, but will also focus on developing the Mainland market and assisting Hong Kong enterprises to grasp the vast opportunities brought by the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Belt and Road Initiative. I encourage you to tap into the Mainland and overseas markets, riding on Hong Kong's strategic position.
Ladies and gentlemen, I am delighted to see so many buyers and suppliers from 40 countries and regions attending the fairs here this week. I am sure you are all ready to get down to business.
In closing, let me express my gratitude to the HKTDC for organising this splendid event and promoting our advantages to global exhibition organisers. This is the first mega international trade fair that marks the start of 2025. May I wish you all a fruitful and enjoyable time at the event, and a prosperous and successful year ahead.
Thank you.
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