00:00 We all experienced the pandemic, the global pandemic.
00:04 How does Megashow have already adjusted so much to the rigors of the pandemic?
00:10 I know that for three years, there was no physical trade shows.
00:19 Did the pandemic factor in with some of your changes or have you already resumed to your
00:25 pre-pandemic business model?
00:28 Actually, Megashow is resumed last year, last year November.
00:36 But of course the scale is not that big, talking about 700 something people.
00:44 To be honest, I heard the comment from most of our exhibitors saying that they are looking
00:54 for physical exhibitions instead of virtual ones.
01:00 Because we've done the face-to-face interaction with the buyers, they say the response is
01:07 not that good.
01:08 So we have been rescheduling our show for three years, two years.
01:17 How would you expect the reception so far, unlike the previous year where there are still
01:25 some restrictions, now that we have fully opened up, more international visitors are
01:30 now coming into Hong Kong and more buyers are now coming to Hong Kong.
01:35 How would you describe the response from the international visitors?
01:39 Based on our buyer recruitment activities, I can see I've received quite a positive response.
01:52 Before the show, we do send out all the invitations for buyers and the response is quite good.
02:00 Of course, some buyers may be interested in our sponsorship, honestly.
02:07 We have cash, we have some incentive to motivate them to Hong Kong.
02:13 And also, Hong Kong Tourism Force is doing a good job as well, of course.
02:20 They heavily promote "Welcome Hong Kong", you know, quite a lot of happy promotion is
02:26 happening.
02:27 We have multiple partner countries here, having partner pavilions from different countries,
02:34 including the Philippines.
02:35 The Philippines has a pavilion.
02:37 How important are these country pavilions in promoting their businesses, their export
02:43 products to a wider range, a larger market?
02:48 During the promotion period for the past, I can say, almost nine months, I, myself,
02:57 Henry and other management team members, travel around Asia.
03:04 You know, the pavilion image is so nice because we have been working with the Philippines
03:10 pavilion for, I think, more than 20 years.
03:17 We go to the Philippines, it's not just meeting the individual exhibitors.
03:23 We're meeting the Philippine government, especially the trade promotion department.
03:30 I have to tell them how Megashow can help the manufacturer to promote their country,
03:37 their manufacturing.
03:38 This year, we're happy to have nine pavilions.
03:42 Of course, the Philippines is one of them.
03:45 We do have Thailand, Turkey, Korea, Taiwan, China, Bangladesh.
03:56 We have totally nine country pavilions.
03:59 So selling association, selling government is much more better than selling stand-alone
04:07 exhibitors.
04:08 So I think this is also our sales strategy to build in the near future.
04:18 I can explain our effort to building the pavilion for the participation for the Megashop.
04:27 I know that you've been organizing events across the globe, as you mentioned, and there's
04:31 going to be a Megashow in Bangkok in July.
04:35 Are you open to holding a similar kind of Megashow in the Philippines?
04:40 Are you open to holding this kind of events here in our country?
04:44 Are you open to that?
04:45 We are open.
04:46 In fact, I do understand we still have some restrictions, particularly for the venue,
04:54 for Hong Kong Exhibition Center.
04:56 I think if we are fully occupied, there's talking about 5,000 booths and another venue
05:04 in AWE Airport.
05:05 The problem in Hong Kong is the exhibition venue is not sufficient.
05:14 Second reason, as you know, the economy in Asia is rapidly growing.
05:22 That's why we bring the exhibitors, Asia exhibitors, to Bangkok.
05:28 Because for Bangkok, we can target the CLMV, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam.
05:36 That area, there will be a good opportunity, particularly for China, Philippines as well,
05:44 China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, manufacturer, go there to expand their business.
05:52 So of course, Hong Kong is still our flagship trade show, is our main core business.
05:59 But I want to bring more of our exhibitors to expand their business in other areas.
06:06 Philippines is one of the places you consider, and also Vietnam as well.
06:14 Why I choose Bangkok?
06:15 You know, Bangkok has two international airports.
06:21 You know, the hotel chain is nice.
06:26 Food is good.
06:29 Speaking English, particularly for business people, is very common.
06:34 So that's why we choose Bangkok.
06:37 But you're open to expanding horizons across ASEAN countries as well?
06:43 CLMV country, definitely.
06:45 Okay.
06:46 Thank you.
06:53 Thank you.
06:54 Thank you.
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