ASIA - Hong Kong’s secretary for commerce and economic development, Greg So Kam-leung, has confirmed there are no government plans to expand the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).
According to reports in the South China Morning Post the venue has turned away 44 exhibitions and 89 conferences over the last three years due to a lack of space.
However the government says it would first encourage more co-operation between the HKCEC and AsiaWorld-Expo, located at the other end of Hong Kong on Lantau Island.
According to the Post, the Trade Development Council has been studying three sites for possible expansion, without having concluded whether or not venue expansion was necessary.
“Our first priority will be encouraging co-operation between the two venues so we can better use our resources,” said Kam-leung. “We will also encourage exhibitors to hold their shows during non-peak seasons.”
Replying in the Legislative Council to lawmaker Wong Ting-kwong's question on exhibition facilities, Kam-leung said the centre was full on 41 days last year while the Lantau venue was almost full on eight days.
However he acknowledged the increasing competition in the Pearl River Delta region, and that the government will monitor development in nearby areas closely.
Chief executive of AsiaWorld-Expo, and a former employee at the HKCEC, Allen Ha (pictured), said he agreed there should be more co-operation between the two major venues, already seen in practice at the annual Jewellery and Gem Fair.
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