The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) invited our members to attend the HKTDC DesignInspire, which was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from 5 - 7 December 2024.

The Expo brought together innovative local and global elites offering top-class design objects and projects. A wide range of services and innovative ideas was showcased at the expo to create unique business opportunities and partnerships, including:

GLOBAL Design excellence from around the world
DESIGN Creative solutions and design services
INNOVATE Thematic art-tech experience
BRAND Creativities and design concepts of brands
AWARD The best of the best designs presented by award organisers
ACADEMY Power of the new generation of creative elites showcased by design institutes
SHOP Retail platform promoting the limited and deluxe edition pieces
HIGHLIGHT Maison&Objet Design Factory

This year, Maison&Objet (M&O), the world-leading trade show for lifestyle, decoration, and design professionals that originated in France, debuted the “Maison&Objet Design Factory” at DesignInspire 2024, marking M&O’s premier presence in Asia. The M&O Design Factory consisted of five meticulously curated themed zones on the latest design trends, exquisite craftsmanship, material sourcing, better living solutions, and innovative design pieces, offering trend-setting, engaging, and thriving discussions for trade.

Additionally, the Business of Design Week (BODW), Asia’s world-class design event honoured with the presence of renowned designers and brand owners to drive discourse on the value of design and innovation, together with the Business of IP Asia Forum and Entrepreneur Day, was held concurrently with DesignInspire 2024.

DesignInspire, the anchor design expo, definitely helped us source innovative and creative solutions for business upgrading, such as trend-setting spatial design services and designer furniture for gallery showcases.

The Business of IP Asia Forum took place on 5-6 December 2024, focusing on "Reimagining IP for Impact and Growth."

Jointly organised by the HKSAR Government and HKTDC, the Business of IP Asia Forum was an annual flagship event for intellectual property (IP) policymakers, owners, users, investors, and professionals to exchange thought leadership and market trends, as well as explore business opportunities in Asia and beyond. The 2023 edition attracted more than 90 prominent speakers and 2,500 participants from 35 countries and regions.

The 14th edition of the BIP Asia Forum was held on 5-6 December 2024 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Under the theme of “Reimagining IP for Impact and Growth,” it examined the immense potential of IP in nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship, and driving impactful economic and social development on a global scale.

Entering a new decade of the Belt and Road Initiative, the digital "Silk Road" was poised to scale new heights, with innovation and transformation in cross-border payments being the key to expanding cooperation among BRI partner economies. To harness the opportunities brought by the digital era, the Belt and Road Forum themed “Digital Economy & Payment Settlement” was held on December 5, 2024, at Conrad Hong Kong.

The Ng Teng Fong· Sino Group Belt and Road Research Institute of the Hong Kong Chu Hai College, the Silk Road Economic Development Research Center, and the Maritime Silk Road Society jointly hosted the “Belt and Road Forum 2024 · Digital Economy & Payment Settlement” with the following details:

• Date: 5th December 2024 (Thursday)
• Time: 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
• Venue: Conrad Hong Kong, Admiralty, Hong Kong
• Language: English
• No. of audience: 250
• Opening remarks: The Hon John KC LEE, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
• Welcoming remarks: Mrs. Regina Ip, Co-Chair, Maritime Silk Road Society
• Keynote speech: Prof. Yong Shi, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences; Director of CAS Research Center on Fictitious Economy & Data Science
• Panel discussions:
  1. “Cross-Border Payments Fueling the Accelerated Growth of Global E-Commerce”
  2. “The Development and Implementation of Web 3.0 in Hong Kong”
• Votes of Thanks: Mr. Lam Kwong Siu, Chairman, Board of Governors, Hong Kong Chu Hai College

The organizers consistently held BRI forums on specialized topics related to global BRI development trends since 2017, with participation from former Chief Executives of the HKSAR. This year, the Belt and Road Forum Committee was honoured to have the Hon John KC LEE, the Chief Executive of the HKSAR, participating in this annual event. Our presence was greatly appreciated among 300 distinguished guests, including prominent business leaders from Hong Kong, mainland China, and overseas, Consul-Generals, government officials, entrepreneurs, and academics.