Hong Kong:  Two major trade fairs featuring special highlights on franchising, brand building, innovation, design and technology will be held this week at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

HKTDC World SME Expo and HKTDC Inno Design Tech Expo (IDT Expo) will run 1-3 December. Together, the two fairs will bring in more than 700 exhibitors from around the world.

Under the theme “New Insights New Opportunities”, World SME Expo will showcase more than 310 exhibitors in two zones – Solutions Hall and Opportunities Hall. Solutions Hall focuses on a variety of business-support services, from financial services and e-business solutions, to marketing, legal and accounting services.

Start-a-Business Pavilion

Opportunities Hall features more than 210 trade promotion organisations and companies from 32 countries and regions, including Canada, the Chinese mainland, India, Italy, Japan, Poland and the United States, with the spotlight on the mainland’s domestic market. Franchising information will be available at the “Start a Business” pavilion, which features international franchising associations and brands such as Denny’s from the US and Maid Cafe Pinafore from Japan.

A series of seminars will also be held. They will cover such topics as brand building and business opportunities on the mainland, emerging market opportunities, entrepreneurship and more. The HKTDC will also offer a free business advisory service and arrange business-matching sessions to help SMEs find business partners.

IDT Expo brings together creative and technology professionals looking to enhance their competitiveness and find business partners for the new opportunities emerging in Asia.

Spotlight on Germany

The expo has attracted nearly 400 exhibitors from 11 countries and regions, including France, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, the mainland, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia and Taiwan.

Some 150 companies from Germany, this year’s Partner Country, are also taking part in the expo.

At the Inspiration Hall, Germany will showcase such top brands as Audi, Leica and Grohe, as well as award-winning designs and the international travelling exhibition “Design Deutschland 2011”, making its first appearance in Hong Kong.

IP Trading Zone

Other highlights include the new “Intellectual Property (IP) Trading and R&D Zone”, located at the Trade Hall. With its free IP advisory services, the zone encourages IP owners, acquirers and intermediaries to connect and explore IP trading opportunities.

The “Hong Kong Creative Force Pavilion” will showcase nearly 60 award-winning projects by local creative professionals.

Design Week and BIP Asia Forum

HKTDC World SME Expo and HKTDC Inno Design Tech Expo will take place alongside Business of Design Week (28 November to 3 December) and the Business of IP Asia Forum, 2 December at the HKCEC.