Groups from the Chinese mainland's Hunan, Zhaoqing and Inner Mongolia will participate for the first time, joining 13 international pavilions to showcase the latest green technologies. In line with the government's efforts to push the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, various cities will gather in the Greater Bay Area Zone to present local green opportunities. The Environment Bureau will cooperate with different government departments to form an HKSAR Government booth, the largest zone at the expo, to promote environmental policies and a range of green projects.

"We are currently facing a range of environmental challenges across the globe," said HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Benjamin Chau. "The business sector and governments across Asia have been actively promoting waste reduction and energy saving. As Asia's leading innovative technology hub, Hong Kong can provide the latest solutions for carbon reduction and drive the region's development of the environmental industry through events such as Eco Expo Asia, bringing together a wide array of innovative green products and technologies."

Mr Chau noted that there are plenty of business opportunities in the green market. According to the government's Census and Statistics Department, the value added by Hong Kong's environmental industry in 2016 was HK$8.4 billion, growing 6.7% year on year. Statistics also showed that investment in the environmental sector on the Chinese mainland, including environmental pollution control, waste management and energy-saving, is projected to exceed Rmb$15 trillion during the 13th Five-Year Plan period.

Commenting on the importance of Eco Expo Asia, Alice Cheung, Deputy Director of the Environmental Protection Department, said she hopes the event will enhance cooperation and exchange between the government and industry players, promote the enormous opportunities in Asia, encourage the business sector and government departments to conduct green sourcing, and help to raise public awareness on environmental issues.

Nine Thematic Zones: Startup Zone Showcases Innovative Green TechnologyTo promote waste-reduction awareness among businesses and the public, Eco Expo Asia has adopted a new theme this year - "Waste Less Save More for a Low-carbon Future". The expo will feature nine thematic zones, including Green Buildings and Energy Efficiency, Green Transportation, Waste Management and Recycling and the Startup zone, presenting a comprehensive range of green products and technologies.

An increasing number of start-up companies are being attracted to invest in research and development in green products and technologies. The expo's Startup Zone will feature products from 20 fledgling companies, offering them a prime opportunity to connect with potential investors and business partners. Some of the start-up products and technologies were showcased at today's Eco Expo Asia press conference, with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) highlighting its patented innovative soundproofing metamaterials that outperforms traditional soundproofing material such as sponge and rock wool. This pioneering technology is highly effective in blocking sound in adverse conditions and can be applied to power generation and energy systems, transportation and household appliances.

Green Transportation Zone: Ready and Charged for a Test Drive/RideOne of the hottest environmental trends is the development of green transportation that will help to reduce exhaust emissions and carbon footprint. Several eco-vehicles and charging devices will be on display at the expo, including the Nissan e-NV200 electric car that is equipped with a 40kWh high-capacity lithium battery offering 80% chargeability in 40 minutes. Hyundai's second-generation commercial hydrogen fuel cell electric car, Nexo, will also be presented at the expo. The model is the first hydrogen fuel cell electric SUV to be showcased in Hong Kong, with a drive distance of over 600 kilometres and a five-minute fuel fill time.

Visitors can enjoy a test drive or test ride of the electric vehicles at the expo. For registration, please visit the expo's website (https://bit.ly/2RsVGJK^[1]) or queue on-site.

Eco Asia Conference: To Unveil Green Policies and Business OpportunitiesThe Eco Asia Conference will run concurrently with the expo, bringing together government officials and business leaders from various countries and regions to share their insights on a range of issues. Experts from Australia, Canada and Hong Kong will discuss smart water management solutions and the latest wireless sensor network for metropolitan smart drainage systems. Officials from the National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Industry & Information Technology and Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People's Republic of China, together with other mainland officials, will share the country's latest green policies and initiatives to prevent water pollution in the pan-Pearl River Delta region. In addition, the Hong Kong Construction Association and the Hong Kong Institute of Acoustics will organise the "Smart Construction for Quiet" Symposium, where experts from the United Kingdom, Australia and Singapore will discuss the latest developments in construction noise-control policies and innovative methods for quieter construction.

Green Mart and Workshops on Public Day to Promote Green LivingEco Expo Asia will open its doors to the public on the last day of the event (28 Oct) to promote green living. Free shuttle bus services will be offered between the venue and other locations in the city throughout the fair period. Visitors can shop for innovative environmentally friendly products and health products at the Green Mart, and join sustainable workshops to make frosted glass jar lamps. The Start Small, Start Now documentary, which highlights Hong Kong's plastic-waste problem, will also premiere on Public Day. At the Public Day Forum, a representative from the Hong Kong Observatory will assess the impact of global warming on Hong Kong while a Water Supplies Department representative will share tips on smart water usage.

The concurrent Hong Kong International Outdoor and Tech Light Expo (26-29 Oct) at the AsiaWorld-Expo will showcase outdoor lighting, industrial lighting, advertising lighting, lighting accessories, parts and components for construction design. In addition, the Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition) will be held from 27-30 Oct at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), creating synergy and more business opportunities for exhibitors.

Fair WebsiteEco Expo Asia: www.ecoexpoasia.com/tc^[2]Photo Download: https://bit.ly/2Eah0Rv^[3]

About HKTDC

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is the dedicated to creating opportunities for Hong Kong's businesses. With more than 40 offices globally, including 13 on the Chinese mainland, HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China, Asia and the world. HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to provide companies, particularly SMEs, with business opportunities on the mainland and in international markets, while providing business insights and information via trade publications, research reports and digital channels including the media room. Please visit www.hktdc.com/aboutus^[4] or follow us on Google+, [email protected]^[5], LinkedIn.

Contact:

Christine Kam, Tel: +852 2584 4514, Email: [email protected]

Copyright © 2018 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. A division of Asia Corporate News Network.

References

1. ^{^} https://bit.ly/2RsVGJK (bit.ly)
2. ^{^} www.ecoexpoasia.com/tc (www.ecoexpoasia.com)
3. ^{^} https://bit.ly/2Eah0Rv (bit.ly)
4. ^{^} www.hktdc.com/aboutus (www.hktdc.com)
5. ^{^} [email protected] (www.acnnewswire.com)
6. ^{^} [email protected] (www.acnnewswire.com)
7. ^{^} HKTDC (www.hktdc.com)
8. ^{^} Trade Shows (www.acnnewswire.com)
9. ^{^} Environment (www.acnnewswire.com)