HKTDC’s upgraded digital platforms and services aims to boost business connections and help smaller businesses tap into various markets in the absence of trade shows.
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) has upgraded its hktdc.com Sourcing platform in the run-up to the HKTDC Autumn Sourcing Week | Online virtual exhibition, helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) capture global business opportunities and adapt to digital sourcing models in the post-pandemic new normal.
Benjamin Chau, HKTDC deputy executive director, commented: “The pandemic has changed the sourcing pattern of many companies and accelerated the transformation of the global supply chain. The latest HKTDC survey shows that Hong Kong companies are adjusting their business strategies to cope with the new normal. Companies are increasingly ‘going digital’ to expand their online distribution channels (69%), conducting online marketing (56%) to develop new business markets (57%) and accelerating the application of technology in their business (47%).”
In response to these new developments, HKTDC will stage Autumn Sourcing Week | Online from 16th to 27th November following the completion of a significant upgrade to its hktdc.com Sourcing platform.
“Users will notice a refreshed design as well as new features that deliver a better, more personalised smart-sourcing experience anytime and anywhere. We have also employed new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to increase the efficiency through which we connect buyers with suppliers and improve the overall user experience,” Benjamin said.
He added that the HKTDC will continue to enhance its online services to help Hong Kong businesses capture opportunities, even when physical exhibitions resume. He believes physical and online exhibitions should integrate and complement each other.
hktdc.com Sourcing is an easy-to-use platform that allows local businesses to customise online store pages and upload rich content, videos and images. The platform employs image recognition technology to swiftly provide keyword suggestions for relevant products, enabling target buyers to find the right products more easily. Suppliers can also examine page-performance data from the dashboard at any time, helping to improve supply chain management and making it easier to assess marketing effectiveness. The new platform records buyers’ preferences and recommends relevant new products to them.
Local businesses are also provided with the option to purchase promotion ‘boosters’ based on their business needs and promotion strategies. In addition, the NewsBites content page introduces the latest sourcing trends and popular products.
Under the theme “A New Connected World Beyond the New Normal”, Autumn Sourcing Week | Online (ASWO) launches next week, and has attracted 2,600 exhibitors from 33 countries, including 37 group pavilions. The virtual trade fair features the latest products from 11 industries including eco tech, gifts and premiums, toys, baby products, and stationery. See the online event’s promotional video below:
