Organised by the HKTDC, Summer Sourcing Weeks | Go Online opened on 27th July and will run until 7th August.
In view of the current Covid-19 pandemic, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) has acted swiftly to change its strategy, migrating the nine physical exhibitions originally scheduled to be held by the end of July onto an online platform. In addition, an artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled business matching service is being introduced to help suppliers and buyers close more deals.
Organised by the HKTDC, Summer Sourcing Weeks | Go Online opened yesterday (27th July) and runs until 7th August. This 9-in-1 virtual trade exhibition has attracted more than 1,300 exhibitors, featuring lighting, electronics, information and communications technology (ICT), medical and healthcare, houseware, fashion, home textiles and furnishings, gifts, printing and packaging products. This brand-new online exhibition platform will help global buyers to replenish supplies and assist small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in exploring new business opportunities during a difficult time.
Benjamin Chau, HKTDC deputy executive director, said: “Although the Covid-19 pandemic is presenting huge challenges for businesses globally, it also offers the prospect of online business opportunities for enterprises. The HKTDC has initiated various online promotions, including the Spring Virtual Expo in April and the Summer Virtual Expo in late June and July, to assist SMEs and international buyers overcome the challenges during this difficult period. Now, to further boost business connections between global exhibitors and buyers, we are launching Summer Sourcing Weeks | Go Online, an advanced online virtual exhibition that runs for 12 days starting from today and features the AI-enabled Click2Match business matching platform to help SMEs forge more connections and opportunities.”
He added that Summer Sourcing Weeks | Go Online is one of the HKTDC initiatives helping to expand the e-commerce capabilities of Hong Kong businesses.
Speaking at a virtual press conference to launch the event, Benjamin responded to a question about the future of physical trade shows by saying: “Physical trade shows are highly effective and efficient – there is no better way of connecting buyers and suppliers and enabling them to conclude deals. However, as nobody knows whether this pandemic situation might flare up again, it makes sense for us to adopt this new ‘hybrid’ online / offline model for events over the coming months. We believe it is in everyone’s best interest if we plan to conduct virtual events alongside trade shows while the situation remains uncertain.”
