Industry's Messages

Margaret Fong

Executive Director, Hong Kong Trade Development Council

On behalf of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), I would like to thank the Hong Kong Optical Manufacturers Association (HKOMA) for its contributions to the city's optical industry over the years.

This year, the Hong Kong International Optical Fair was held under the theme “Seeing is Believing”. The Fair welcomed more than 700 exhibitors from 17 countries and regions, alongside group pavilions from Mainland China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Visionaries of Style (VOS) as well as the Hong Kong Optical Manufacturers Association (HKOMA). There were also pavilions from Mainland China's Danyang of Jiangsu Province, Jiaojiang of Zhejiang Province, Shenzhen of Guangdong Province, and Yingtan of Jiangxi Province.

To streamline buyers' sourcing journey, the fairground was sectioned into zones. The highlighted Brand Name Gallery featured some 200 renowned brands. The Smart Eyewear Zone returned with more eyewear-related technologies and the latest smart glasses. The Fair also showcased various eyewear made from sustainable materials and smart ageing products. Other thematic zones included Contact Lenses & Accessories, Designer Cafe, Sporting & Professional Eyewear, Kids Eyewear & Reading Glasses, Lenses, Frames & Parts, Eyewear Accessories, Diagnostic Instruments, as well as Optometric Instruments, Equipment & Machinery.

The HKTDC's EXHIBITION+ hybrid model allowed buyers to source beyond the fairground at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Leveraging the Click2Match smart business matching platform and hktdc.com Sourcing, buyers continued their sourcing journey after the Fair.

Seminars and forums, such as the 22nd Hong Kong International Optometric Symposium, took place at the Fair to highlight the latest developments and trends in the industry. At the symposium, international experts from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Australia and Germany shared their insights and knowledge on the topic of “Myopia – From Control to Prevention, Where are We Now?”.

In addition to bringing together key industry stakeholders to foster knowledge exchange and connections, nurturing Hong Kong's next generation has long been important to HKOMA. Together with the Association, we organised the annual Hong Kong Eyewear Design Competition to nd the next wave of creatives and pave the way for continued innovation in the optical industry.

We are grateful to HKOMA for their long-standing support and partnership, which have helped the optical industry grow and thrive over the years. We look forward to working together with you for many more fruitful years. I wish the HKOMA and its members the best of business in the year ahead.

Mr. Mohamed D. Butt, MH

Executive Director, Hong Kong Productivity Council

As living standards improve and awareness of eye health increases, the public's demand for eyewear products continues to grow. Coupled with innovative technology development, there are enormous development opportunities for the eyewear manufacturing industry in Hong Kong. Smart glasses and the use of eco-friendly, sustainable, and recycled materials have become new directions for the development of the industry. According to market research, the global market size for smart glasses alone exceeded HKD 40 billion in 2023 and is expected to surpass HKD 100 billion by 2029.

The Hong Kong Optical Manufacturers Association (HKOMA) has always been a strong supporter of Hong Kong's eyewear industry. Since the association’s establishment, it has signicant contribution to promoting industry development, uniting peers, introducing the application of advanced technology and supporting the industry to expand market. Over 70% of Hong Kong's eyewear manufacturers are members of HKOMA, highlighting the representativeness of the association in the industry. Hong Kong's eyewear industry mainly focuses on producing mid-to-high-end eyewear frames and has signicant advantages in innovative designs and technology applications. Hong Kong's eyewear products are also internationally recognized. Hong Kong is the world's third-largest exporter of eyewear and eyewear frames. As of 2023, the total export value of Hong Kong's eyewear, lenses, and eyewear frames reached HKD 19.9 billion. There is great development potential for the local industry.

The Central Government has proposed accelerating the development of New Productive Forces to achieve high-quality economic development, with innovation and technology (I&T) being the core of the development process. Hong Kong needs to develop New Productive Forces based on local conditions, continue to strengthen research and development (R&D) in original technological innovation, and apply the results of I&T targeting specic industrial development to help enterprises maintain a competitive edge in both local and overseas markets.

The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC), being a leader in innovative and market-driven R&D in the nation and on the international arena, and armed with expertise in innovative technologies and all-rounded manufacturing services, is making all-out eort to promote new industrialization in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area, with a view to supporting the local industry to harness New Productive Forces. HKPC provides comprehensive innovative solutions aimed at enhancing productivity, business eciency, and reducing operational costs for industries, including the eyewear manufacturing industry, thereby creating excellence and adding value across industries. Through product I&T transfer, HKPC successfully commercializes R&D results, creating business opportunities for industries. Additionally, HKPC actively conducts diverse talent training programs to expand Hong Kong's pool of research talent and create upward mobility opportunities for the youth.

HKPC and HKOMA have always maintained a close and friendly partnership, jointly promoting the upgrading and transformation of Hong Kong's eyewear industry and helping the industry seize opportunities and meet market challenges. The 2 parties have joined force to undertake projects supported by the Trade and Industry Department's "Trade and Industrial Organisation Support Fund" and hold exhibitions and seminars to showcase excellent eyewear designs and technology applications in Hong Kong and overseas. The 2 parties have also teamed up to promote smart technology applications. For example, last August, at the invitation of HKOMA, HKPC introduced the benets of applying Generative AI (GenAI) in sales to the association members.

Looking ahead, HKPC hopes to continue its close cooperation with HKOMA to strengthen the value of the "Made in Hong Kong" brand, and leverage Hong Kong's unique advantage of "backed by the motherland, connected to the world" as well as the vast opportunities in the Greater Bay Area and the "Belt and Road" initiative, thereby supporting and promoting the vigorous development of Hong Kong's eyewear industry. We wish HKOMA continued success in leading Hong Kong's eyewear manufacturing industry to new heights.