Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau said he hopes to introduce large-scale international exhibitions that have not been staged in Hong Kong before, to promote the city as an international exhibition hub and drive the local economy.

His remarks came as the government earmarked around HK$100 million in the coming fiscal year's budget for attracting large-scale international exhibitions to Hong Kong to cement the city's status as an international convention and exhibition hub.

Speaking on a radio programme, Yau noted past figures showed the exhibition industry accounted for about 2.1 percent of Hong Kong's overall GDP, and the consumption amount of each person who came to these exhibitions was between HK$7,000 and HK$8,000.

"We think a lot about what kinds of large-scale exhibitions can come to Hong Kong and we also want to cooperate with some exhibition institutions, hoping to do something that Hong Kong has not done before, such as large-scale machinery exhibitions or robot exhibitions," he said.

"We have also talked a lot about the yacht economy, so perhaps we can do yacht exhibitions. Auto shows need large spaces with different car types, or maybe we can go a little deeper and see if small aircraft exhibitions are feasible."

He said it would drive the development of the local tourism, catering, retail and entertainment industries.

On the conflict in the Middle East, Yau said people need to carefully assess its impact on economic development and global supply chains.

He also said geopolitical uncertainties further illustrate China's economic strength, and that Hong Kong should fulfil its role as super-connector.


Edited by Tony Sabine