Published in October 2008

1. Opportunities and Challenges for Hong Kong's Fashion Design Services Industry (Eng) Hong Kong is a global sourcing hub for the world's fashion industry, underpinned by its strengths in fashion design-related services. This report examines Hong Kong's fashion design industry, in particular the market opportunities for Hong Kong's fashion design services in its aspiration to become one of the leading fashion hubs. 2. Tapping the Green Manufacturing Opportunities in the Pearl River Delta (Eng) This report will look into the rising needs of green manufacturing in the Pearl River Delta, and the demand of corresponding solutions and equipment to meet the requirements in pollution control, energy saving and waste recycling etc. With reference to the strengths of Hong Kong's environmental protection industry, the report will also discuss the advantages of using Hong Kong as a platform to tap into the Pearl River Delta's industrial demand in green manufacturing. 3. The Nordic Region - A Beacon of New Opportunities (Eng) With a total population of just some 25 million inhabitants but per-capita GDPs well above the EU average, the Nordic region presents an auspicious outlook for Hong Kong companies. In addition to answering the spellbinding question of how Hong Kong can better tap into the Nordic markets, this report will further look into the role of Hong Kong as a technology marketplace bridging the Nordic countries and the Chinese mainland.

Forthcoming Titles

1. Guide to Doing Business with Hong Kong (Chi only)
This guide provides a wealth of user-friendly practical information for mainland private enterprises (MPEs) interested in developing business in Hong Kong and building up connection with international market. It covers not only business regulations, business environments, related import regulations and procedures in Hong Kong, but also introduce how can mainland MPEs use Hong Kong services as the platform for their "going out".

2. India: A Challenging Market with Promise in South Asia (Eng)
India is a promising yet challenging market for Hong Kong exporters in light of its consumer boom and rapid changes. With Indian retailers looking for offers of quality products, Hong Kong companies should actively approach them, as they are fast expanding across India with new formats of retail outlets. This report also examines other means of penetrating into the Indian market, like seeking out local distributors and partners, while highlighting areas of challenges of doing business with India.

3. Israel: A Robust Niche Market in the Middle East (Eng)
With the global economy slowing down and competition intensifying in traditional markets, Israel is a niche market in the Middle East to consider market diversification. With a young population and high spending power riding on its high-tech industries, Israel offers ample opportunities in different product markets for Hong Kong exporters. This report also examines Israel¡¦s consumer behaviour and trade rules.

4. Kazakhstan -- A Rising Market in Central Asia (Eng)
Kazakhstan, which has the size of Western Europe, is expected to become one of the top five oil producers in the world by 2010. Thanks to the rise of oil price, Kazakhstan already saw an average 10% real GDP growth in the past decade, leading to the emergence of a mid-income sector. While the "new rich" get a taste of the trappings of affluence, Hong Kong products and services may be poised to make inroads into Kazakhstan.

5. China's Food Market (Chi)
An increasing number of mainland consumers are buying more packaged food in their grocery shopping. Besides, rising income and health consciousness also stimulate demand for organic food and high quality packaged food. The purpose of this report is to gauge mainland consumers' spending pattern and characteristics on packaged food, and to assess the market opportunities for Hong Kong food brands.

6. Threats and Opportunties for Hong Kong after the Three Links (Chi)
Since the new Taiwanese Governmnet took office in May this year, swift progress has been made in the negotiations of cross-Strait direct transportation. While direct transportation is expected to bring about better division of labour in the supply chain and business outlook of companies across the Strait, the position of Hong Kong as a business and transportation hub may also be affected. This report is to study the threats and opportunities for Hong Kong after the links.

7. A Thriving Silver Market in Developed Economies: Implications for Hong Kong (Eng)
The world is fast aging. According to the United Nations, 10% of the inhabitants around the globe have already celebrated their 60th birthdays, and this proportion is projected to increase gradually to 22% by 2050. In particular, this aging phenomenon will be high in developed economies, which are traditionally Hong Kong's major markets. This report is aimed at helping Hong Kong exporters identify what opportunities are available in the emerging silver market.

8. Hong Kong's Export Outlook for 2009 (Eng)
This report projects the 2009 performance of Hong Kong exports, which are expected to moderate further amid the lingering global financial problems and their spillover effect on consumer spending. While demand from traditional markets will be uninspiring, the absorption power of emerging markets will also weaken because of the world economic slowdown, although these potential new markets should remain welcome outlets for diversification.

9. Guide to Emerging Markets - Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Mexico (Eng)
This guide provides a wealth of user-friendly practical information for SMEs interested in developing business in Latin America. It covers not only contemporary business environments, consumer profiles, distribution and import channels in major emerging markets in Latin America, namely Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Mexico, but also related import regulations and procedures, in a bid to facilitate market penetration of Hong Kong traders.

10. 2008 Christmas Sales in Major Overseas Markets and Retail Outlook for 2009 (Eng)
The 2008 Christmas sales situation in Hong Kong's major overseas markets commands attention, given its bearing on likely retail sales performance in 2009. As the global economy is losing momentum amid intensification of the global financial turmoil, holiday sales in traditional markets are expected to be uninspiring, although retail performance on the mainland should be somewhat better. Within this setting, it is hoped that information contained in this report will be of use to Hong Kong companies in planning their business for the coming year.


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