Eco Expo Asia – the only international trade fair in Hong Kong that is devoted to the environmental protection industry in the region – was taken to new heights this year in its fourth edition.

The four-day event ran from 28 to 31 October 2009 at AsiaWorld-Expo. Jointly organized by Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd., Eco Expo Asia was for the first time co-organised by the Environment Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). With strong support from environmental professionals from commercial, governmental and non-governmental spheres, this year’s event gathered 200 exhibitors from 19 countries and regions, and over 10,000 trade visitors from around the globe, a record increase of more than 60% over last year for both numbers. As Secretary for the Environment of the HKSAR Government, the Honourable Edward Yau, JP, said, “To deliver a cleaner and more sustainable world, there is a need to encourage closer interaction and networking between eco-innovators, product suppliers and buyers. Eco Expo Asia offers a useful platform for this kind of interaction to take place."

Following the consensus reached between Hong Kong and Guangdong governments on environmental protection in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region, this year’s Eco Expo Asia adopted the special theme of "Transforming the PRD into a green and quality living area.” Under this theme, a record-breaking number of group pavilions were attracted to capitalize on the market potential of the region. With support from the Environment Bureau, the Chinese mainland government mounted provincial and city pavilions from Fujian Province, Dongguan, Foshan, Guangzhou and Shenzhen to promote environmental technology transfer. Green investment opportunities available in the PRD were emphasized. Other overseas group pavilions included the European Union, France, Macau and the United Kingdom, leading to an almost threefold increase to over 100 overseas exhibitors. Furthermore, with environmental industry designated as one of Hong Kong’s new economic pillars, participation from Hong Kong companies rose to a record high of over 90 exhibitors.

Exhibitors’ comments reflected a high level of satisfaction with the buyer turnout and quality. Showcasing environmental expertise of different areas of the world, the fair received overwhelming attendance from over 10,000 trade visitors. Among them were such leading enterprises as Csiki-Bege Kft. (Hungary), Eco Construction Solutions (USA), RODINA Solar – Engineering Ltd. (Hungary) and Shell International (UK). 42 buying missions representing over 500 companies from 43 countries and regions were organised. These buyer delegations, originating from such countries and regions as Chile, Fuzhou, Germany, Guangzhou, Italy, Japan, Korea, Russia, Shanghai, Shenzhen, South Africa, Vietnam and the USA, reflected the growing international reputation of Eco Expo Asia. “Eco Expo Asia went beyond our expectations, both in terms of the service provided by the organisers, and the business opportunities that were made available. Our exhibitors were very happy to be part of this Expo, and many have already expressed an interest in returning next year,” said Mr David Ogilvie, Programme Director, EU Business Information Programme, European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, the organiser of the European Union Pavilion.

Echoing with the green government initiatives, a delegation of more than 140 Chinese mainland officials was also formed to take part in the event, with support from the Environment Bureau. It included representatives from the Department of Land Development & Resources (Hainan Province), Department of Environmental Protection (Guizhou Province), Environmental Protection Department (Macau Special Administrative Region), Department of Environmental Protection (Guangdong Province) and Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development (Fujian). As HKTDC Assistant Executive Director Raymond Yip suggested, Eco Expo Asia was not only a platform for Business-to-Business or Business-to-Consumer exchange, but also one for Business-to-Government interaction.

Fair highlights

In addition to the highlighted pavilions, Eco Expo Asia 2009 featured new thematic zone, product launches and informative seminars, whereby visitors were exposed to the latest environmental technology, concepts, products and services. Further, the event took on a Business-to-Consumer role on its final day, 31 October, when it was open to the general public.

New thematic zone
In line with Hong Kong government’s initiatives to promote clean transportation and the use of eco-friendly vehicles, the Electric Vehicle Zone made its debut at Eco Expo Asia this year. E-motorcycle, e-bike, related accessories and battery packs were exhibited by the Hong Kong based PortaPower (HK) Ltd. Also on display were Mitsubishi’s i-MiEV, a dual mode plug-in hybrid vehicle from BYD called F3DM, a plug-in hybrid from Hong Kong’s CLP Group, and electric cars from Silicone Power Investment Holdings and Tomi Fuji EMC Ltd. This zone, together with the test drive on the Expo’s public day, attracted extensive media attention and public interest.

Product Launches
Equally attractive were some new product and technology launches taking place this year. For instance, Inagrosa from Spain introduced their new technology package for the biofuel industry; Minima Technology from Taiwan rolled out special heat resistant biodegradable products; while Envac from Sweden showcased their new automated waste collection system.

HSBC Eco Asia Conference
A centre of attention of Eco Expo Asia was the annual HSBC Eco Asia Conference held in conjunction with the fair from 28 to 30 October. Regarded as one of the most important environmental forums in the region, the Conference this year followed the theme of the Expo – Transforming the PRD into a green and quality living area. Renowned international experts along with local environmental specialists and government officials were invited to host a series of in-depth discussions with the most up-to-date findings on Green Production, Green Transportation and Green Building.

An added spotlight of this year’s Conference was the Sino-French Seminar on Housing & Building Energy-Efficiency in China organised on 29 October by the French Trade Commission, the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong & Macau and the University of Hong Kong’s Faculty of Architecture, with the support of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Hong Kong. Authorities on building technology from both France and Hong Kong were invited to share their knowledge in these particular areas of expertise.

Public day
In order to promote the concept of sustainability and green living to a wider audience, the fair was open to the general public on its last day of 31 October. As HKTDC Assistant Executive Director Raymond Yip said, Eco Expo Asia was not only a platform for trade and business, but also an event for raising public awareness to environmental protection.

Four Public Day Forums were held on various environmental issues of global concern, including “Eco Sharing with Mr Edward Yau” by Secretary for the Environment of the HKSAR Government, Edward Yau, JP, and "Climate Change – Will ‘The Day After Tomorrow' Come True?" by Ms Christine Loh, Founder and CEO of Civic Exchange.

Wide media coverage was drawn about the first public test drive of MyCar, the first Hong Kong-developed electric vehicle engineered by a local SME EuAuto Technology Ltd. and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. In addition, visitors were able to shop through an exciting range of creative green products offered by the HKTDC Design Gallery, including tote bags made of recycled newspapers, magazines and juice boxes, recycled leather stationery and reusable ice bags, to name just a few.

The green Expo

Aiming at shedding light on environmental challenges, Eco Expo Asia 2009 was itself fueled by green facilities and services whereby everyone could make a contribution to environmental protection:

-	Waste separation bins were available throughout the venue;
-	Energy saving light bulbs were used in exhibition booths and service counters;
-	Indoor temperature was maintained at 25.5 degree Celsius;
-	Carpeting was saved for gangways, whereas carpeting costs saved with exhibitors opting for uncarpeted exhibition booths would be donated to environmental organizations;
-	Printed matter was made from recycled paper and printed with soy-based ink while the amount was minimized;
-	No plastic bags were distributed at the venue;
-	Shuttle bus service was provided using eco-friendly coaches equipped with EURO IV or later engines.

More to see in 2010

The four-day Eco Expo Asia 2009 has created many business opportunities as well as learning and networking experiences for all. As an ideal platform for the overseas suppliers to open up the fast growing markets in the Chinese mainland and South East Asia, Eco Expo Asia will return in 3-6 November 2010. For more information, please email ecoexpo@hongkong.messefrankfurt.com or exhibitions@hktdc.org.