HK-PH commercial ties remain ‘very strong’

MANILA, Philippines–Commercial ties between the Philippines and Hong Kong remain robust despite a lingering issue between the governments of both, regarding a hostage crisis that resulted in the death of tourists from the territory in 2010.

“Our ties are very strong and we are actually promoting the Philippines,” said Sunny Chau of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).

Chau, who is HKTDC’s Bangkok-based regional manager for Southeast Asia and India, said in an interview yesterday that the semi-government body has been catering to some 6,600 Philippine-based businessmen yearly.

These businessmen—mostly engaged in small and medium-sized enterprises—either buy or sell products and services through HKTDC-organized trade fairs, or raise funds and link up with investors through the agency’s help.

Created by law in 1966, HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a global business hub and is a global marketing arm for manufacturers, traders and service providers that are based in the territory.

“HKTDC helped find investors for the $14-billion Clark Green City project [as well as for] local development projects in [the economic zone and free ports of] Bataan, Cagayan, Baguio and Poro Point in La Union,” Chau said.

“At the moment we are also helping to finance two upcoming movies of award-winning director Brilliante Mendoza through the HK-Asia Film Financing Forum,” he added.

Also, the agency organizes some 30 international trade fairs yearly, some of which are the world’s largest of their kind—like the HKTDC Hong Kong Gifts and Premium Fair and the HKTDC Hong Kong Electronics Fair.

In April alone, HKTDC is holding seven trade fairs, including the two world’s largest mentioned.

Chau said that last year, these seven fairs attracted 216,000 buyers. Of the Southeast Asian buyers that participated, one-fifth or some 2,000 were from the Philippines.

“With the Philippines’ robust retail market, buyer numbers should climb further this year,” he said. “Especially, there are new attractive zones at the Electronics Fair like the ‘3D printing’ and ‘i-World’ for wearable gadgets, among others.”

He added that at these fairs taking place next month, nearly 30 Philippine companies will exhibit their products to international buyers, mostly in the Houseware Fair.

Chau said Cebu Intertrade Export was among those chosen for the inaugural “creative arts and cultural craft zone” of the Houseware Fair.