On our visit to the Hong Kong Jewellery and Watch Fair 2000 at the HKCEC we picked up plenty of gems. Not the sort for exhibition or sale - just remarks from people from all over the world about their very positive fair experience.

James Alger of New Hampshire gemstone specialist James Alger Co. Inc. noted for example, "We visit every major jewellery show in the United States, but only this fair in Asia." From Dubai, Meltar Ali of Shibl Trading Est remarked on how tidy, clean and friendly the environment was. "We haven't seen other fairs on this scale," she remarked, "It's an ideal atmosphere for making buying decisions."

A strong line-up of 13 national and group pavilions was complemented by four specialist pavilions, with the Fine Design Pavilion once again attracting affluent collectors and high-end jewellers.

Said Mr Henry Istanboulian, of Zyrab Creation Jewellery Manufacturing Co, Ltd (Thailand), "This is the second time we have exhibited at the Fine Design Pavilion and we are very impressed by the way it showcases our most precious pieces. We take part in other international shows but this is certainly the most special event in Asia."

"The net exhibition space booked this year was up by 13% to more than 26,000 m2 - a new record for Asia's jewellery shows," she said, "and we were delighted that exhibitors went for larger and even more glamorous booths."

Exhibitors were rewarded for their effort by being able to welcome 30,665 registered visitors from 129 countries and regions, with the number of Asia-Pacific visitors up by 21% on 1999.

Talking to organisers, frontline fair exhibitors and visitors is one of the best ways of getting a feel for changes and trends in the global marketplace.

At the Hong Kong Toys and Games Fair 2001, our sense of people's positive outlook for 2001 was strengthened by a survey conducted by Hong Kong Trade Development Council. The survey revealed that more than half the exhibitors and buyers were optimistic about business prospects this year.

708 exhibitors were interviewed out of a total of 1,586 and 1,451 quality buyers from among 24,992, with 61% saying that they expected the toys and games industry would perform better in 2001 than in 2000.

About 57% of the buyers interviewed thought that sales to China would increase after China's entry to the World Trade Organisation, while 58% expected the European retail market for toys to grow. Half of the buyers were also optimistic about sales in the United States, although they anticipated that the rate of growth would be slower.

The survey results found support in comments from the organiser and exhibitors. Hong Kong Trade Development Council Senior Exhibition Manager Anne Chick said, "The Asian and European markets are showing signs of growth, with attendance from those two regions up by 4.24% and 3.94% respectively."

Xiao-Guang Shi, president of the China Toy Association, was optimistic in his assessment of the two-way trade opportunities offered through Hong Kong. "China needs Hong Kong to promote its products," he said, "and every year the fair is very successful in this regard."