NEW MARKETS: EMERGING POTENTIAL.
26
The Warsaw Consumer Product
Exhibition was one of the seven
East European trade events,
organised by the TDC in 1990-91,
that collectively earned Hong
Kong participants HK$390
million.
The TDC increased its promotional activities in Central and Eastern Europe during 1990 as sweeping political and economic reforms continued to create new market potentials and business prospects.
During the year, the Council organised seven promotional events in the region, including light consumer goods and garment exhibitions in Budapest, Warsaw, East Berlin and Belgrade. More than 30 Hong Kong companies participated in each exhibition and received considerable support from East European buyers, resulting in business totalling more than HK$390 million. Poland is now Hong Kong's largest export market in Eastern Europe, with domestic exports to the country rising to HK$309 million in 1990, an increase of 23%. Re-exports, a large portion of which are Hong Kong Chinese joint venture products, increased by 22% to HK$579 million. Both Poland and Hungary, where trade liberalisation. measures have improved market access, are keen to build trade links with Hong Kong, Trade with Yugoslavia, the territory's second largest market in Eastern Europe, also recorded strong growth over the past two years. In 1990, domestic exports to Yugoslavia increased by 197% to HK$212
million, and re-exports surged by 282% to HK$663 million.
The TDC also took a delegation of 23 companies to the third CONSUMEXPO Fair in Moscow. Key buyers from Central and East European foreign trade organisa- tions were invited to tour the Hong Kong exhibits, and delegates were successful in confirming existing business contacts and identifying new partners.
A specialised industry mission for elec- tronics manufacturers organised by the Council in conjunction with the Hong Kong Electronics Association staged solo Hong Kong product exhibitions in Belgrade, Budapest and Bratislava. The 20 delegates from 13 leading electronics companies secured on-the-spot orders valued at HK$39.85 million. Products generating most interest were audio equipment, small souvenir items for the tourist industry and telephones, personal computers ard watches.
Other new market initiatives were aimed at Central and South America, where the TDC was active in directing Hong Kong companies to market openings as countries in the region relaxed protectionist policies and attracted tradingpartners. Hong Kong's total exports to the region increased by 30% last year to HK$12.2 billion.
A Hong Kong delegation was organised to take part in EXPOCOMER, the most
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