The 3rd edition of the Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair 2008 concluded successfully at AsiaWorld-Expo on 1 May. The fair was jointly organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and CIEC Exhibition Company (HK) Limited.

Over 375 exhibitors took part in the fair. "The strong mainland presence is central to the success of the fair. Indeed, 17 of this year's exhibitors are among 'The Chinese mainland's Top 100 Printing Firms'," said Mr. Fred Lam, Executive Director of HKTDC. The 17 firms include Starlite Holdings Ltd., Luk Ka International Ltd., Hong Kong Yuto Printing Company Limited, Artron Enterprises (Group) Limited, Shanghai Zidan Printing Co., Ltd., Sunglo Printing Group Co., Ltd., Zhongshan Liford Nameplate Inc, Shanghai Tobacco Packing Printing Co., Ltd., The Shanghai People's Printing Factory No.8, Shanghai Printing Group, Man Sang Envelope Mfg Co.,Ltd, XinYa Investment Group of China, Shanghai Jielong Industry Group Corporation Limited, Shenzhen SGY Printing Co., Ltd., Shenzhen Nine Stars Printing and Packaging Group Ltd., Sichuan Yibin Push Group 3D Co., Ltd., and Zhongshan Zhongyong Products of Paper Printing Co., Ltd.

Two theme zones were featured in the 2008 fair. The Digital Printing and Office Automation Equipment Pavilion catered to those looking for flexible, high-quality printing in small quantities. The Integrated Pre-press Service Square presented exhibitors with creative services and skills to offer.

Exhibitors commented favourably on the third edition. Hong Kong exhibitor, Mr Richard Lim, Executive Director of Starlite Holdings Ltd, said, "We have exhibited here since its inception and have expanded from six to eight booths. This is an essential event for us to showcase our capability to visiting international buyers. With more than 100 years' combined experience in print and paper product manufacturing technology, Starlite is not only a quality supplier that excels in myriad products, but also a leader that spearheads the benchmarking system for the industry in various areas including die-cutting, hot-foiling and box folding and gluing."

Another Hong Kong exhibitor also expressed appreciation. "Luk Ka International has participated in this fair for the past three years and it is a platform on which we build up working relations with some of our existing customers from the US and Australia. We are also riding on this year's opportunity to introduce our new brand 'Apple Tree'. This brand illustrates our strength and response has been positive. It's great that we can also use this fair to look for material suppliers, and take the pulse of the industry through communicating with counterparts," Ms Rebecca Ma, Deputy General Manager of Luk Ka International Ltd, said.

The organisers promoted the fair on an international basis and also organised buying missions composed of representatives of prominent companies and trade organisations from markets of potential. There were 56 buying missions from 32 countries & regions. Among the major sourcing houses on the buying missions were American Greetings (USA), Hallmark (USA), Mattel (USA), Hasbro (USA), Conair (USA), Singapore Press Holdings (Singapore), Dai Nippon Printing Co. (Japan) and Mulberry (UK). The fair attracted over 11,000 buyers from 109 countries & regions.

One of the Australian buyers found the fair very helpful to his business. Mr Neil Armstrong, Managing Director of Standard Publishing House, said, "Standard Publishing is a 106-year-old business doing colour brochures, books and other commercial printing materials. With the scope of a printer's job diversifying today, we have just expanded to include a mailing section that has driven us to source for more innovative materials and products. We are also outsourcing 40% of our work to factories in Australia, Indonesia and the Chinese mainland, and this will also be a great opportunity to look for more working partners. This is a very well-organised fair, and it was terrific that the organisers had pre-arranged for me to meet with six potential companies. This is really first-class service and I'll be back."

First-time visitor from Vietnam, Mr Nguyen Ngoc Sang, Chairman of Vinpas Vietnam Packaging Association, also found the fair an effective sourcing platform. "Vinpas Packaging Association has 120 members specialising in the production of different packaging products. Nowadays, the hottest packaging sector in Vietnam is food packaging and pharmaceutical packaging, and we attended the fair to explore collaboration opportunities with counterparts in Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland in these sectors. Though just my first time at the fair, I found that it offers an excellent platform for us to view a profusion of raw materials, and it keeps us abreast of the latest market trends and new technology employed by the industry."

For enquiries, please call (852) 1830668
Email: exhibitions@tdc.org.hk

For more information, please visit http://hkprintpackfair.com/

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For trade press enquiries, please contact Ms Judy Ko, Exhibitions, HKTDC, Tel: (852) 22404071 or Fax: (852) 3521 3104 or email: judy.ko@tdc.org.hk

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