The special administrative region of China plans to hold 30 expos, mainly on consumer goods, ranging from toys to baby products, stationery, licensing, jewelry and garments, and expects to attract more than 36,000 exhibitors and 700,000 visitors from across the globe.

Several of the main expos will be held between January and March.

“Hong Kong is an international trade hub in which buyers come from all around the world, so you can update to the latest demand and trends and upgrade your standards,” said Leung Kwan Ho, director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) Indonesia.

“This is a chance to scale up your business in terms of quality and quantity.”

Hong Kong has been an export gateway and a re-export hub for the world because of its zero duties policy for almost all goods, except for a few items, such as beverages with more than 30 percent alcoholic content, cigarettes and gasoline.

Prominent Indonesian goods exported through Hong Kong include fashion items, jewelry, toys and handicraft items as well as food and coffee, according to HKTDC’s data.

On the other hand, Hong Kong is strong with its exports of watches, household appliances, electronics, information communication and technology (ICT) products, lighting items, toys and garments.

In an effort to boost transactions, the HKTDC welcomes small purchases starting from five to 1,000 pieces via the small-order zone on its website. It is also subsidizing travel costs for a few hundreds buyers worldwide.

On average, 5,000 Indonesian people and 130 Indonesian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) join Hong Kong’s annual expos every year.

Several repeat Indonesian exhibitors and visitors said the events had benefited their businesses.

Leny Kurniati, owner of leather bag producer PT Covet, which has exhibited its products at the Hong Kong Fashion Week expo since 2010, said the event was a good barometer for buyers worldwide as it showcased the different kinds of preferences for garments.

“After joining this [event], we adapted to the demands,” she said.

Two-way trade between Indonesia and Hong Kong is the most balanced among their peers, although it has declined by 5 percent in the past five years, Trade Ministry’s data shows. Indonesia’s exports to Hong Kong reach roughly US$2 billion every year, while imports sit at around $1.8 billion.

A free trade agreement (FTA) signed recently between Hong Kong and ASEAN, set to take effect in 2019, is expected to help foster cooperation between Indonesian companies and their counterparts from the special administrative region.

With such cooperation, the HKTDC predicts a 2 percent to 3 percent increase in Indonesia and Hong Kong’s two-way trade volume.

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