Government’s Initiatives Echoed – Towards a Sustainable and Greener City

The eighth Eco Expo Asia, Hong Kong’s major international trading platform for environmental business, will take place on 28-31 October at the AsiaWorld-Expo, assisting businesses to find new opportunities under the government’s initiatives to develop Hong Kong as a greener city.

Speaking at a networking luncheon related to Eco Expo Asia, The Secretary for the Environment of the HKSAR, Mr. KS Wong said, “The 2013 Policy Address presented earlier by the Chief Executive placed very high emphasis on the environmental agenda.  We want to build a greener community in Hong Kong.  The four areas highlighted in the Policy Address, including air quality, resources sustainability and solid waste management, green building, and nature conservation, are all creating opportunities for the business community to ride on.”

Mr. Wong encouraged industry players to leverage on the Expo, which allows government officials and environmental experts from Hong Kong, Mainland China and around the world to exchange views on sustainable development.

Since its inception, the Expo has received positive responses from the business sector not just in Hong Kong but also across the world. “As the business sector, we need to recognise our role in finding a balanced environmental model for Hong Kong, and promoting business community action to the development of Hong Kong’s environmental policy,” said Professor John Chai, Chairman of Business Environment Council.

“Our theme today is ‘Towards a Sustainable and Greener City.’ It underlines the importance of striking a balance between economic development and environmental conservation,” accordingly to HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Benjamin Chau. “We placed great emphasis on raising environmental awareness and demand for green technology locally at the Eco Expo Asia.” Specialised areas for Waste management and Recycling, Energy Efficiency and Energy, Green Building Services and Solutions and Eco-friendly Products will be introduced at the event, which echoes to the government’s initiatives under the theme “Green Tech for a Low-carbon Economy”.

The show has gained greater prominence not only in Asia but across the world over the years. “We have confirmed overseas exhibitors coming from Canada, Chinese mainland, Czech Republic, South Korea and Thailand. We have also received booth reservation from a global leader in the green building sector, Bayer MaterialScience,” said Jason Cao, Senior General Manager, Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd.

Organised by HKTDC and Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, and co-organised by the Environment Bureau of the Government of the HKSAR, the event will be open to trade visitors for the first three days and the public on its final day. Last year, the Expo attracted more than 270 exhibitors from 14 countries and regions, welcomed more than 11,500 buyers from 94 countries and regions and more than 2,500 public visitors respectively.

The Expo will be held at AsiaWorld-Expo with the concurrent HKTDC Hong Kong International Building and Decoration Materials & Hardware Fair (28 – 30 Oct) and Sports Source Asia (29 – 31 Oct). The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre will also be hosting the HKTDC Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition) from 27-30 October.