Emerging as a premier Asian sourcing marketplace in the heart of Europe, Asia Expo 2004 shone brighter than ever this year.

Hosted by the Hong Kong leading trade show organiser Kenfair International, the 4th edition of Asia Expo London ran from February 6th to 9th, at Grand Hall - Olympia in London, U.K. The show, also known as the biggest Asian products show held in the U.K., housed a total of 948 booths, showcasing a wide range of merchandise produced by 853 Asian manufacturers. Participating countries were diverse, including: China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. These leading Asian manufacturers gathered together under one roof, displaying a wide array of gifts, toys, premium and household items.

Again, Asia Expo 2004 continued to serve as an exclusive one-stop sourcing hub for Asian-made products, as Mr Duncan Cheung, Managing Director of Kenfair International Ltd commented, “Asia Expo has been strategically themed to cater for Asian manufacturers so that they can meet new and potential international buyers. We believe that gathering all Asian exhibitors in a single location gives buyers superb sourcing convenience, enhancing focused trade transactions.”

Asia Expo London 2004, held at such a convenient location at the best timing, had again drawn a tremendous attendance of 11,000 buyers, with 90 per cent of them coming from major European countries such as the U.K., France, Italy, Spain, Germany and the Netherlands. Both exhibitors and the organiser were overwhelmed by this robust buyer attendance figure in view of the general dropping visitor numbers of many shows across Europe this year.

Filling up the display shelves at Asia Expo this year were products far from ordinary. They were of high quality and superb design made by reputable Asian manufacturers. Exhibiting merchandise ranged from: advertising & promotional premiums, household products, artificial silk flowers, kitchenware, art & craft items, leather goods, baby products, lighting, bags, paper products, bath/bedroom accessories, photo frames, ceramics & porcelain stationery, Christmas decorations, silverwares, consumer electronics, toys & games, costume jewelry & fashion accessories, umbrellas, crystal & glassware, watches & clocks, gifts & souvenirs, wooden articles, hats & caps, wickerwork, as well as home textiles.

Satisfied international buyers filled the showground with great expectations and anticipation. “I came to the show to look for premium products, and I am glad that I have found many of them here at this year’s Asia Expo,” said Mr Demelza Dyton, from The Stockley Trading, U.K.

Fascinated by the show’s quality and scale was Mr Marian Garcia, a sourcing agent from Spain. “I work for a company specialising in promotional items. I am so excited to see many Asian suppliers under one roof and I find much of their stuff very interesting. What an impressive Asian products show! I will surely come back to visit next year.”

Another buyer planning on making a comeback at next year’s Asia Expo was Mr MS Malik, a buyer representing a U.K. company. “Product diversity and well-mannered exhibitors are what I like most about the show. I have found some amazingly attractive gift and premium products during the course of my visit, and I certainly hope to see even more exhibitors showcasing their products next year.”

Buyers from all over the world were impressed by the various value-added services provided by the organiser. While spending hours searching for their ideal products, they could also relax a bit to enjoy a cup of complimentary coffee and tea at the specially arranged Buyer Hospitality Lounge on the upper level of Grand Hall. In addition to the comprehensive services available at the Business Centre, buyers could also make use of the specially set-up internet and e-mail center to maintain instant connection with their offices and outside parties during the show.

Asia Expo’s impeccable success depended heavily on its loyal exhibitors, most of whom showed major enthusiasm about the business opportunities brought to them by participating in the show. “We are a Hong Kong company specialised in leather goods,” said Mr Eric Chow from Power Leather Goods Co Ltd. “I am especially impressed by the quality of the buyers visiting this year’s Asia Expo. Because the show is perfectly timed to coincide with other similar trade shows held across Europe, I have met many genuine buyers returning to London or neighboring countries from their sourcing trips.”

Ms Lisa Chow from Evermore Industrial Ltd, another Hong Kong exhibitor was pleased with the show’s overall result. “This year’s Asia Expo provided my company an excellent opportunity to meet with many new, potential buyers.”

Other Asian exhibitors also showed tremendous gratitude for the show’s effect on their business. “We are an Indian manufacturer specialising in cashmere and pashmina scarves. I am very satisfied with the overall results of the Expo and am happy to say that we had met some new potential business partners.” Said Mr Javant Periwal, Director of Indian Heritage.

Looking at the ever-increasing participation from both buyers and exhibitors, Kenfair is upbeat to see Asia Expo, London develop into an annual mega event with bigger size. The organizing committee is gearing up to further upscale the 2005 session to over 1, 000 exhibition stands, offering international buyers an even wider selection of fine Asian merchandise. No Asian manufacturers should miss the very opportunity rendered by this highly-focused Asian show to tap into the Euro-market.