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Hong Kong has bounced back after the 2008 global economic downturn and is showing encouraging growth signs in its number of exhibitions, exhibiting companies and visitors, according to a new survey by the The Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Industry Association (HKECIA).
In 2009, net square metres occupied by trade exhibitors rose 6.2 per cent to more than 794,000, indicating a solid overall recovery in Hong Kong’s exhibition activities and usage demand over the past year.
The total number of companies exhibiting in trade shows rose seven per cent to more than 55,700. This included double-digit growth numbers from contributing regions of China (15.7 per cent), regional (11.4 per cent) and international (19.6 per cent), with Hong Kong slipping into negative figures (-4.0%).
The number of trade visitors from outside Hong Kong rose 3.7 per cent to over 572,000 in 2009. Of those, more than 211,000 were trade visitors from Mainland China (2008: around 170,000). This 24 per cent increase over the previous year suggests more Chinese buyers are using Hong Kong as an import platform for their purchasing activities.
HKECIA chairman Daniel Cheung, commenting on the report said: "The future completion of infrastructure projects that facilitate cross-boundary traffic, including the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge and the Hong Kong high-speed railway, will pave the way for promising business activity development between mainland China and Hong Kong."
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