Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (TDC), the Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from Jan 7-10, 2008.

Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair is Asia’s largest toy show. This year, it featured more than 2,000 exhibitors and a wide variety of quality, innovative products from around the world.

The world’s second-largest toy exporter, Hong Kong has built up a solid reputation for quality manufacturing over the years. In the first 11 months of 2007, toy exports grew 25 per cent, to US$11.4 billion (HK$88.8 billion). Toy exports to the United States and the European Union recorded 4.7 per cent and 24.2 per cent increases respectively. Christmas sales of traditional toys were steady in major markets.

 The 34th Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair featured exhibitors from 36 countries and regions, including group pavilions from the Chinese mainland, Germany, Italy, Korea, Pakistan, Spain, Taiwan and Thailand.

A broad array of exhibits, ranging from ball games, bicycles, water sports and gymnasium equipment, to action figures, puzzles, miniatures and collectibles, electronic and battery-operated toys, were highlighted in seven special zones: Hobby Goods; Baby Toys and Products; Magic; Outdoor and Sporting Items; Candy Toys; Paper Toys; and Story Books.

 Highlights included product demonstrations, strolling models, cheerleader dance performances and a variety of seminars, with topics ranging from toys trend in Asia, licensing opportunities to risk management and brand development. One of these fairs was the international toy safety seminar, with mainland officials and US industry leaders providing the latest updates on the industry and related regulations. The January 9 seminar, “Latest Product Safety Directives of the Toy Industry and Good Practices in Achieving Safety Standards,” was jointly organized by the TDC, the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, the Hong Kong Toys Council, the Toys Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong and the Trade and Industry Department.

Close to 30,000 buyers visited the fair last year. This year, the TDC has organized 86 buying missions, with more than 4,800 major buyers from around the world taking part in the fair. These included key buying representatives from well-known toy brands and leading chain stores such as Toys R Us, Walt Disney, Mattel, Hasbro and Bandai; Australia’s Toy World; Germany’s VEDES; India’s Pantaloon; Japan’s Don Quijote and Kawada; New Zealand’s Baby Factory; and the UK’s Hamleys.

The 8th Hong Kong International Stationery Fair was held concurrently with the Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair. Jointly organized by the TDC and Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, the fair brought together a wide variety of stationery, ranging from back-to-school items, calendars, paper bags, printing ink, laminating machines, binding machines, white boards and paper shredders.

 Nearly 270 exhibitors from 15 countries and regions have taken part, including Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Spain and the US. The Chinese mainland, Taiwan and Thailand have organized group pavilions.

Three special zones featured: the Children’s Stationery and School Supplies Zone; the Paper and Printing Products Zone; and the Office Supplies Zone.

An industry seminar, held on January 8, featured Japan’s Nippon Color and Design Research Institute Inc highlighting colour trends for the coming season. Cyril Yeung, an Associate at DLA Piper, presented IPR development in the Chinese mainland

In the first 11 months of 2007, Hong Kong exported US$1.2 billion (HK$9.3 billion) worth of stationery, a 7.5 per cent increase over the same period last year. Many major export markets recorded double-digit growth, including Italy, up 54 per cent, Australia, up 29 per cent, Germany, up 20 per cent and Canada, up 12 per cent.