Industry’s Messages

Margaret Fong

Executive Director, Hong Kong Trade Development Council

On behalf of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), I take pleasure in congratulating the Hong Kong Optical Manufacturers Association (HKOMA) on its 40th anniversary and offer my sincere thanks to the HKOMA for its continued support of the city’s optical industry.

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated change in the retail sector, with many spectacles chains, brands and designers turning to e-commerce and social media marketing for survival and long-term growth in both domestic and overseas markets. Despite challenges faced by the industry globally, Hong Kong’s total exports of spectacles, lenses and frames were valued at HK$16 billion in the first 10 months of 2021, with a growth of 25.6% compared to the same period in 2020. The top five export markets were the United States, Italy, Mainland China, Australia and Japan.

With global sourcing become increasingly digitalised in the wake of the pandemic, the HKTDC has gradually resumed organising physical shows in Hong Kong while continuing to make use of digital technologies. We see the online-and-physical format of events as crucial to helping businesses adjust to the new sourcing model and overcome the challenges in the current business environment. The HKTDC Optical Roadshow | Physical+Online was held in June 2021 to showcase a variety of on-trend eyewear and accessories, and the HKTDC Lifestyle Sourcing Show | Physical+Online was staged in December 2021 to showcase the latest optical products as well as toys, baby products, gifts and premium, houseware and wine & spirits. Themed “Sourcing in Style”, the show drew more than 580 exhibitors from nine countries and regions and welcomed some 9,500 buyers to visit in person or browse through a huge array of products online, while more than 3,100 business meetings were arranged during the show.

The 19th Hong Kong International Optometric Symposium was also held in an online-and-physical format in November 2021. With the theme of “Updates on Myopia under the Pandemic”, the Symposium featured experts from Canada, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore and the United Kingdom to share the latest research on myopia progression and tactics for myopia control during the pandemic.

The fruitful alliance between the HKTDC and HKOMA has been instrumental to the success of Hong Kong’s optical industry, and the two organisations will continue to work together to ensure that business can go from strength to strength. We wish the association and its members a happy and prosperous 2022 with many more milestones to come.

Mr. Mohamed D. Butt

Executive Director, Hong Kong Productivity Council

As the world's third largest exporter of spectacles and frames, Hong Kong is world-renowned for its pursuit of innovative designs, advanced manufacturing technologies and application of eco-friendly materials.

Behind the driving force is the Hong Kong Optical Manufacturers Association (HKOMA) which has played an instrumental role in the industry’s pursuit of excellence, leading to the “Made in Hong Kong" brand steadfastly maintaining its glamour on the international stage, unfazed by the COVID 19 pandemic. Since January 2021, Hong Kong’s total exports of eyewear reached HK$14 billion, with a year-on-year growth of 28%, which is definitely something to be proud of.

On behalf of the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC), I would like to offer my warmest congratulations to HKOMA, as it celebrates the 40th anniversary enhancing the competitive strengths of the local industry. Over the years, HKPC has worked closely with HKOMA to realise various initiatives to promote industry development, in a bid to help local players upgrade and transform for sustainable business, while embracing challenges and opportunities. Recent examples include a “Hong Kong Eyewear Good Design” project which has successfully obtained funding support from the Trade and Industrial Organisation Support Fund (TSF) to extend the reach of the Hong Kong eyewear industry to Belt and Road markets through exhibitions, seminars, and business matching sessions. In addition to this project which was completed in May 2021, an “Eyewear 3D Design and Modelling Course” training programme series was completed in the third quarter of 2021, supported by the Reindustrialisation and Technology Training Programme (RTTP) of the Vocational Training Council. The training series equipped the participating eyewear designers with the necessary skills for them to keep up with new market trends and support the industry to go through revolutionary changes under the “new normal”.

HKPC looks forward to continuing its longstanding partnership with HKOMA to support and promote the vibrant development of the Hong Kong eyewear industry. We also wish HKOMA continued success in its endeavours to provide practical assistance to industry players and propel industry development to a new phase.

Dr. Sunny Chai

Chairman, Federation of Hong Kong Industries

Hong Kong as one of the major exporters of spectacles and frames in the world, the local optical industry plays a crucial role in the context of design, innovation and technology as well as quality control in the international arena. With the aim to enhance products’ competitiveness, Hong Kong manufacturers not only strive to develop their own brand products and original design, but also add value to the products by integrating new technology as well as eco-friendly and sustainable elements.

In a long-term partnership with the Hong Kong Optical Manufacturers Association (HKOMA), Federation of Hong Kong Industries (FHKI) will continue to work closely with HKOMA to enhance the design and quality of eyewear products in Hong Kong.

FHKI firmly believes that the Hong Kong optical industry will reach greater heights in the local and international markets. We wish HKOMA every success in the years ahead.