The Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Industry Association has released a statement assuring visitors and exhibitors that trade exhibitions and conferences in Hong Kong are running 'smoothly and without interruption', as large-scale political protests that began in March remain on-going.
"Hong Kong is a welcoming city for investors and visitors," continued the statement. "Although there have been road closures during several public activities, up until the time of this announcement, both of the two major venues for trade exhibitions and international conferences the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (KHCEC) and AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE), are accessible by foot private cars/freight trucks and public transportation including subway and are fully operational."
HKECIA chairman Stuart Bailey commented: "Business is as usual in Hong Kong. At this time we are seeing that major exhibitions and conferences in Hong Kong are running without incident or interruption. Exhibition and conference events were not targeted for disruption. Hong Kong is definitely still open for business and safe to travel."
This statement comes just days after the announcement that organiser Diversified Communications will not be holding the 2019 edition of Seafood Expo Asia, due to take place at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in September, with the event website stating: "Diversified Communications has been closely monitoring the ongoing events in Hong Kong. After serious evaluation of the situation and out of care and concern for our exhibitors and visitors, we’ve made the very difficult and challenging decision to cancel the 2019 edition of Seafood Expo Asia this September. Please contact us with questions. We are thrilled to return to Hong Kong in 2020."
Reuters has also reported that trade representatives of the world’s largest diamond trading centres, from Antwerp, Mumbai and Ramat Gan, have been seeking the rescheduling of Hong Kong Jewellery and Gem Fair, organised by Informa Markets and also due to take place in September.
