What is the state of Hong Kong’s optical industry?

During MIDO we met William Chui in the pavilion dedicated to companies from Hong Kong.Could you give us a picture of the optical industry in HK?Hong Kong was the world’s third largest exporter of spectacles and frames after Italy and the Chinese mainland in 2014, according to the latest available data.Its spectacles companies specialise in making medium to high-end frames and mainly produce for overseas buyers and renowned international brands on an OEM and/or ODM basis with their manufacturing bases on the Chinese mainland.Some traditional manufacturers of optical products in Hong Kong are gradually moving up the value chain to develop their own branded products and original designs instead of focusing on OEM business. More technologies will be adopted for the production of optical products, utilising new and eco-friendly raw materials.Could you give us your latest economic data?In the first seven months of 2016, Hong Kong’s total exports of spectacles, lens and frames jumped 36% year-on-year to HK$11.7 billion, mainly attributed to the strong rebounds of developed markets. During the period, exports to the EU and the US, the two largest markets with a combined share of 63%, grew 36% and 78% yearon- year, after years of stagnation. Growth of exports to the Chinese mainland and the ASEAN countries, the next two major markets, accelerated to 28% and 82% year-on-year for January-July 2016, from 12% and 32% for 2015, respectively.By major category, spectacles and goggles, and frames and mountings, took up the largest share to account for a total of 87% in the first seven months of 2016. On the other hand, the other two major categories, lenses and parts for frames and mountings, saw their combined market share edging down from 19% in 2015 to 13% in January-July 2016.How your organization supports its members? And what about your presence at MIDO?HKTDC is committed to create more business opportunities as well as to facilitate the development for the spectacles industry in Hong Kong. During MIDO, the HKTDC has been organising HK Pavilion for the eyewear, special and optical companies in HK. In 2017 edition, the it was featuring 42 Hong Kong companies in Hall 7, showcasing the OEM and ODM capabilities of Hong Kong optical industry players. In Hong Kong, HKTDC has been engaging the HK Optical Manufacturers Associations (HKOMA) as the co-organiser of the HK Optical Fair. Members of HKOMA will be given special discount for joining the HKOMA pavilion at HK Optical Fair. To create more business opportunities for the industry, the HKTDC has been organising buying missions from more than 45 countries and regions, including both mature and emerging markets, during the HK Optical Fair. Would you like to give us a preview of the 2017 HK Optical fair?We expect to have a record-breaking of some 800 exhibitors from more than 25 countries & regions. We will feature more than 200 brands under brand name Gallery and we will launch a special zone namely “International Designer Elite”. We also expected to have group pavilions including Korea, Japan, Italy, France, Taiwan and Chinese mainland. How is your relationship with Anfao and MIDO?ANFAO and MIDO are close working partners of HKTDC on HK Optical Fair. They join hands with Italian Trade Commission to form the Italian pavilion in the fair since 2012. What did you like about the 2017 edition of MIDO?I was very impressed by the selection: MIDO always has the best designers with the best products. I really liked Lab Academy with its emerging designers. How satisfied were the companies in your group at MIDO?With the exception of two new entries, the companies that took part have been exhibiting in Milan for many years. Why they keep coming back is simply explained: they do business and make excellent contacts here. Again this year they were very pleased with the event.