TECH FAIRS SPOTLIGHT GLOBAL INNOVATION
InnoEX and the Hong Kong Electronics Fair showcase the information and technology industry’s best and brightest, writes Gigi Wong
Two technology-focused fairs and exhibitions held over the coming four days will showcase cutting-edge innovations and capabilities.
The second edition of the innovation and technology (I&T) fair InnoEX will be held from tomorrow to Tuesday at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
(HKCEC) in Wan Chai. Organised by the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau of the Hong Kong SAR and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), this year’s exhibition has the theme “Innovations for a smarter world”.
The HKTDC Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition) is taking place concurrently, following on from the success of two other technology-related events
– the HKTDC Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition) and inaugural HKTDC Smart Lighting Expo – held at the HKCEC this past week. Between them, InnoEX and the Electronics Fair will feature around 3,000 exhibitors from 20 countries and regions.
“Through our four technology exhibitions, the HKTDC aims to help promote solutions and develop Hong Kong as an international I&T hub,” said Jenny Koo, assistant executive director of the HKTDC. “The development of new quality productive forces, as the national priority, will provide a huge market for Hong Kong’s development in innovation and technology, and the digital economy in Hong Kong.”
Doubling down on innovation
InnoEX is the flagship event of the Business of Innovation and Technology Week, which aims to cement Hong Kong’s position as an international I&T hub.
An annual tech gathering for industry experts, entrepreneurs, thought leaders and investors, InnoEX will include several noteworthy pavilions. One is So French So Innovative, which will feature renowned companies like STMicroelectronics, Veolia and Thales. The Smart Hong Kong Pavilion, organised by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, will highlight over 100 I&T solutions related to local residents’ everyday lives.
The number of pavilions from mainland China has grown to feature 16 provinces and cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong and Zhejiang. “InnoEX not only showcases various innovative achievements, but also brings together representatives from the governments of Hong Kong, mainland China and Asean – as well as experts from different technological fields – to discuss important issues related to technology and smart city development,” said Koo. “Through this approach, InnoEX promotes comprehensive cross-regional and cross-industry cooperation, aiming to enhance local I&T capabilities.”
To attract even more R&D investment, the Hong Kong government will showcase exhibits from 16 research centres under InnoHK, presenting local capabilities in high-growth industries such as artificial intelligence (AI) chips, robotics and data analytics.
Exhibitor PTF AreaTech Company, for example, will showcase solutions powered by the BeiDou satellite navigation system, which supports emergency services by enabling rescue operations in areas without network connectivity.
Local universities, and leading tech firms like NEC Corporation and Goldpac Group, will also participate, highlighting breakthrough research designed for a smarter, more digital world. To encourage and support start-ups, there will be pitching, mentoring and networking sessions designed to connect entrepreneurs with industry partners.
Most notably, data-as-aservice firm InfoMacro Information Technology will showcase their offerings at InnoEX. Founded in 2014, InfoMacro is located in Macau and Zhuhai, and works with companies, banks and the Macau SAR government to provide big data solutions and data security solutions.
With the region’s growing demand for smart city solutions in mind, an Asean Roundtable will be held on the opening day of InnoEX for government representatives from countries including Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam to discuss partnership opportunities.
Given the fierce competitiveness of the global I&T industry, the need to attract and retain talent in areas like AI, cloud computing and data science has never been greater. The HKTDC is ramping up efforts to facilitate talent recruitment.
By collaborating with the recruitment platform JobsDB as well as the Hong Kong Top Talent Services Association, InnoEX is serving as a matchmaker platform between exhibitors and jobseekers.
Seminars and conferences will also be part of the busy week. Speakers including Gérard Wolf, special adviser to the French minister for Europe and foreign affairs for sustainable cities; Tony Wong Chi-kwong, chief information officer of the HKSAR government; and Anson Bailey, head of consumer and retail, Asia-Pacific, at KPMG will discuss I&T trends.
At the same time, the inaugural Hong Kong World
Youth Science Conference will bring together budding talents and renowned scientists – including Nobel Prizewinning scholars – to explore opportunities in fields like quantum computing and biotechnology.
New industry frontiers
Another key event – one that is now in its 20th year – is the HKTDC Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition). Also taking place at HKCEC from tomorrow until Tuesday, the showcase will feature innovative products across three zones: Hall of Fame, Startup Zone and Tech Hall.
The growing number of older consumers represents an opportunity for many companies. This year, a range of exhibits will cater to the “silver economy” through health-focused electronics.
The fair also has its finger on the pulse of booming tech industries. The Energy Storage Zone will showcase products powering outdoor activities and electric vehicles, including exhibits from industry giant Tesla. An interactive Digital Entertainment Experiential Zone will showcase electronic gaming, extended reality and AI. A Tech Trends Symposium, taking place on Monday, will examine the future of generative AI as well as spatial computing. An emerging paradigm related to augmented reality and virtual reality, spatial computing involves interactive spaces that span both the physical and digital worlds.
Two outstanding exhibitors to see at the Electronics Fair are Canada’s Solaires Enterprises and Danish firm Frameo. Solaires specialises in using perovskite – a man-made material with a crystal-like structure – to produce flexible, light and ultra-thin solar panels that maintain a high energy conversion efficiency. Frameo uses Wi-fi communication to send photos from the user’s smartphone directly to a digital photo frame.
Merging online and offline elements – with exhibitors and buyers able to use the Click2Match smart business matching platform for up to seven days after the fairs – this year’s technology exhibitions are poised to reinforce Hong Kong’s position as a leading hub for innovation and technology.
InnoEX promotes comprehensive cross-regional and cross-industry cooperation
JENNY KOO, HKTDC