China eases 'baby policy,' spurs demand

The global demand for baby products is growing exponentially, especially in China, where the government has ended its decades-old "one-child policy" last month. Now, all married couples are allowed to have two children, creating a rich vein of business opportunities for the baby product industry.

Entering its seventh edition, the Hong Kong Baby Products Fair (HKTDC) is poised to offer a one-stop comprehensive sourcing platform to fill this demand. Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the fair will run from Jan. 11-14, 2016, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The previous edition featured a record-breaking 480 exhibitors from 28 countries and regions and attracted more than 27,000 buyers from 121 countries and regions. The 2016 Hong Kong Baby Products Fair is expecting over 500 exhibitors, including first-time exhibitors from Canada and Russia, as well as the debut of Korean Pavilion. A series of seminars, forums and networking receptions will be hosted alongside the fair.

Spotlight on the Asia's Biggest Toy Fair

Environmentally friendly toys, stationery and baby products and a full program of international speakers and award presentations have attracted more than 2,600 exhibitors to four trade fairs, which was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) January 9 – 12, 2012. The HKTDC Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair is Asia's largest and is actually three product fairs, which ran through to January 11.

The 38th Toys & Games Fair welcomed first-time participants from Greece, Macau, Russia and Ukraine. Exhibitors to the Baby Products Fair were up more than 6 percent over last year and the event welcomed first-time participants from Colombia, Poland and South Africa.

The 12th edition of the Stationery Fair hosted first-time participants from Costa Rica, Italy, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. Group pavilions were set up for exhibitors from the mainland, Taiwan and Thailand, and special product zones focus on children's stationery and school supplies, gift stationery, office supplies, and paper and printing products.

HKTDC Hong Kong International Licensing Show's 10th edition built on a decade of success, and attracted more than 170 exhibitors from 16 countries and regions and featuring over 500 properties. The most established event of its kind in Asia, this year's conference featured speakers from licensing giants such as Disney, Sanrio and Sony Pictures Entertainment.