ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA heads to Hong Kong in 2008

ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA and the Asiafruit Congress will take place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Hong Kong on 10-12 September 2008. The second edition of Asia's only international trade fair for fresh fruit and vegetable marketing follows hard on the heels of this year's launch event in Bangkok, Thailand. The three-day trade fair and conference event attracted significant numbers of fresh produce exhibitors, trade visitors and delegates from all over the world.

"Hong Kong is a vitally important hub for the Asian fresh fruit and vegetable business," explained Grald Lamusse, managing director of GPE Global Produce Events GmbH, the organiser of ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA. "Not only is the city important as a regional trading hub for the fresh produce sector in Asia, but also as a gateway for China. It's a first-class location for our event."

It comes as no surprise that exhibitors are already signing up for stand space at Hong Kong's premier convention and exhibition centre. Interest in ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA from individual companies and national organisations is already strong. The organisers are expecting to see good growth in numbers of exhibitors and visitors after this year's very successful launch in Bangkok.

The launch event in Bangkok attracted exhibitors from 25 countries worldwide and over 3,000 trade visitors from more than 50 different countries. Crucially, Asia accounted for some two-thirds of the total numbers of exhibitors and visitors at the trade fair.

"Our launch event in Bangkok last September proved that there is a strong demand for a focused trade fair in Asia," said Mr Lamusse. "Our event in Hong Kong in September 2008 will build on the excellent start we have made."

Reservations for exhibition space at ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA in Hong Kong next year come from companies and organisations that are keen to promote their products and services to the trade fair's visitors, made up mainly of senior executives in key buying and management positions in their companies.

"Demand for exhibition space is very strong so to guarantee your space at next year's trade fair we recommended that you book early," said Mr Lamusse.

ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA runs alongside the Asiafruit Congress, Asia's only regional fresh produce business conference that has been organised by Asiafruit Magazine since its inception more than 10 years ago. The Asiafruit Congress attracted more than 600 delegates from all over the world to Bangkok last year and expects to sign up similar numbers once again in 2008.

"China's continuing development as a major supplier of fresh fruits and vegetables to Asia and the rest of the world as well as its importance as a rapidly-developing market for imported fresh produce are going to be key features of our conference programme this year," explained Asiafruit Magazine's editor John Hey. Mr Hey also puts together the schedule of speakers and expert panelists from leading companies and organisations which feature at the Asiafruit Congress.

ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA and Asiafruit Congress will follow the same successful format in Hong Kong over three days next September: the Asiafruit Congress will take place for registered delegates every morning from 9am to 1pm and ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA will open to visitors from 1pm until 6pm every afternoon.