Reaching new heights in building
For the first time, the international trading hub of Hong Kong is to have a highly specialised, highly targeted fair for the building industry. Hong Kong International Building Materials & Construction Equipment Fair will present top-quality branded wares and fine design products in a variety of categories as well as industry technology and services: Building Materials; Indoor Decorative Materials; Construction Equipment; Building Technology and Building Engineering & Services.

Suppliers to this booming industry now have a platform at the heart of the region from which they can expand their business or move into new markets.

Hong Kong, building & construction hub
The famous skyline of Hong Kong is an indication of the sophistication and skill of its building and construction industry. This expertise is exported to, especially the Chinese mainland. Hong Kong also exports building products with electrical apparatus predominating, followed by hardware products, steel/iron products and wood/board products for building. Again the Chinese mainland is the largest export market. On the other hand, Hong Kong's building industry is heavily dependent on imported raw materials and semi-finished goods.

Hong Kong is renowned for speedy completion of large and complex projects. Efficient project management is one of its great strengths. The industry in Hong Kong is characterised at every level by quick response to customer needs and an ability to stay at the forefront of changing trends. Success is underpinned by Hong Kong's vigilant attention to quality with many companies adopted quality management systems ISO 9000 series.

Regional opportunities for growth
Much of Asia is upgrading its infrastructure, providing many opportunities for the industry. The greatest opportunities are in the Chinese mainland where luxury office towers, apartment buildings, hotels and villa complexes are proliferating. In the Pearl River Delta area, in close proximity to Hong Kong, the construction, real estates, interior decoration and renovation sectors are still growing fast. There is strong demand for high-end building materials, services and equipment. The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the 2010 Shanghai World Expo and the Asian Games in Guangzhou will be a spur to even further growth.

At the fair, potential partners to exploit these opportunities will come together. Overseas companies seeking importers or wholesalers in the Chinese mainland will find good prospects for business and conversely, mainland Chinese manufacturers will meet importers, agents and distributors from international markets.

Export platform for the Chinese mainland
The building materials and construction equipment industry is one of the mainland's most competitive. It is known internationally for good quality and reasonable pricing. The industry exports large volumes to countries in Asia, Europe and the Americas. The fair will present a tremendous display of products from mainland production bases of building materials and construction equipment as well as key enterprises and distributors. This is a valuable opportunity to create export platform for the mainland products that nobody can afford to miss.

Economic partnership for the mainland market
Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland have a Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA). Under CEPA, certain made-in-Hong-Kong building and construction materials and hardware products enjoy duty-free access to the mainland market.

This advantage may be shared, in some cases, with Hong Kong company's overseas business partners. By outsourcing elements of the manufacturing or processing operation to Hong Kong companies, they may satisfy the rules of origin under CEPA.

Hong Kong International Building Materials & Construction Equipment Fair will be the ideal place to explore and forge such partnerships.

Value-added dimensions
Not only will the fair bring business partners together, it will also offer a valuable international industry overview. Participants will be able to update their knowledge through information events such as forums or seminars. At social events such as cocktail receptions they will be able to share views and make important industry contacts.

Who are the organisers?
With more than 30 years of experience, Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is among the most highly reputed fair organisers in the world. Several events it runs are among the largest in Asia of their type and a number rank in the top three of their kind in the world, such as Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Autumn Edition), Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair and Hong Kong International Lighting Fair.

CIEC Exhibition Company (HK) Ltd (CIEC), a subsidiary of China International Exhibition Center Group Corporation (CIEC Group) which runs under the direction of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, is an experienced and successful organiser and host of international fairs in the Chinese mainland. It owns and runs over 20 international trade shows a year, many of which have been recognised as brand events in the world such as China Building, Stonetech, China Print, AutoChina, etc.

Who will be there?
HKTDC has a worldwide marketing operation which reaches out to buyers through advertising campaigns, direct mail, road shows and personal contacts. CIEC is highly influential in the Chinese mainland where it will spread the word.

Real estate developers, architects, engineers, contractors, builders, surveyors, traders, town planners, interior designers, property and facilities management companies, hotel management groups and owners' corporations will be invited to attend.

Where will it be?
Hong Kong's newest and largest exhibition centre, AsiaWorld-Expo, will be home to the Hong Kong International Building Materials & Construction Equipment Fair. This purpose-built facility is located next to the award-winning Hong Kong International Airport; visitors will find themselves entering its precinct within minutes of arrival.