Hong Kong International Optical Fair 2023
The 31st HKTDC Hong Kong International Optical Fair wrapped up on Friday 10th November with resounding success. Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and co-organized by the Hong Kong Optical Manufacturers Association (HKOMA), this three-day event from 8 to 10 November was a crowd-puller, drawing over 12,000 buyers from 92 countries and regions in pursuit of the latest eyewear products and cutting-edge designs.
Sophia Chong, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC, said: The Optical Fair marks a remarkable milestone as it becomes the first physical fair to be held since Hong Kong fully reopened. To our delight, the fairground is buzzing with vibrant trading, as buyers from all across the globe flock to Hong Kong for in-person sourcing. Notably, we have witnessed a substantial surge in attendance from various ASEAN markets, such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Moreover, the number of buyers from India, Macao, and Mainland China has also experienced a significant increase. This impressive turnout further reinforces Hong Kong’s unwavering reputation as an international trade fair capital.
Smart and sustainable eyewear in focus
The world of technology is advancing at an astonishing pace, revolutionising every aspect of our lives. Among the groundbreaking innovations, smart glasses have captured the attention of many as they seamlessly merge functionality with style. This year, the Smart Eyewear zone took center stage, presenting an extraordinary array of eyewear and products infused with cutting-edge technologies. Solos Technology Limited, a renowned eyewear brand from Hong Kong, stole the spotlight with their remarkable creation: AirGo™ 3 AI smart glasses. These incredible spectacles combine the power of ChatGPT and wearable tech, pushing the boundaries of what eyewear can do. Kenny Cheung, the General Manager of this visionary brand, expressed their unwavering dedication to introducing the world to the wonders of smart eyewear. Their efforts have not gone unnoticed, as they have attracted great interest from buyers across Asia and Europe, including prominent optical manufacturers from Hong Kong and Mainland China.
Environmental protection, sustainable development, and the use of recycled materials have been embraced by the optical industry. These factors not only represent the long-term goals of the industry but also serve as driving forces behind its development. Wingram Industrial Company Limited, a debut exhibitor in Hong Kong, is fully committed to the development of eco-friendly materials. They have recently introduced BioAcetate S70, a remarkable biobased and biodegradable material that is used to produce sustainable eyewear products. May Ng, the Head of Operations at the company, expressed their satisfaction with the positive feedback received from eyewear manufacturers and brand owners from various locations such as Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Mainland China, Thailand, and Mauritius. Additionally, the remarkable success of their product has prompted five to six new buyers to place orders for their BioAcetate S70 material after the fair.
Children Eyewear and Accessories
The children’s eyewear, accessories, and optometric instruments were also on display at the fair. The atmosphere for on-site negotiations was filled with excitement. For the seventh consecutive year, Vista Import from Brazil attended the fair. Roberto Basile Neto, the company’s director, expressed his satisfaction with finding numerous suppliers in Hong Kong and Mainland China through the innovative business-matching platform, Click2Match. As a result, he plans to purchase a significant number of products, including 20,000 pairs of sports eyewear, 20,000 pairs of protective children’s sports eyewear, and 10,000 pairs of children’s glasses, all from new suppliers. Additionally, Click2Match has proven instrumental in providing him with detailed supplier information, allowing him to continue negotiations even after the fair concludes.
Van Duc Le, the Managing Director of An Khang Phuc Co., Ltd, a reputable eyewear distributor based in Vietnam, expressed his satisfaction with the business matching service that connected him with suppliers in Hong Kong and Korea. Through this service, he successfully finalized orders for lens edge grinding machines and a significant quantity of 20,000 pairs of contact lenses, amounting to over US$130,000. Such fruitful collaborations highlight the immense potential and opportunities available in the eyewear industry. To discover more success stories from exhibitors and buyers, please visit here.
Hong Kong International Optometric Symposium addresses industry concerns;The 21st Hong Kong International Optometric Symposium, held during the fair, had an empowering theme: “Empowering Community Eye Care through Artificial Intelligence and Telemedicine in Optometry.” distinguished industry representatives from around the world gathered to engage in thought-provoking discussions. They explored compelling topics like the application of AI in optometry and the substantial impact of telemedicine in healthcare. To learn more about the Hong Kong International Optometric Symposium, click here.
