The Federation of Hong Kong Industries (FHKI), Hong Kong Toys Council (HKTC) and the Toys Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong (TMHK) joined hands in bringing forth the first ever Hong Kong International Toys Festival from January 6 to 9 (Sunday to Wednesday).
The Festival, which coincided with the Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair, served to promote Hong Kong’s reputation as the “World’s Toy Centre” to buyers and public alike, as a positive response to the concern roused by the series of recall incidents.
Mr Lawrence Chan, Chairman of HKTC, summed up the Festival as a “celebration of the local toy industry’s fifty years of experience and a showcase of quality toys we make”. The Festival conveys the message that toys “made by Hong Kong” are “toys to trust”.
The four-day Festival was composed of a kick-off ceremony on Sunday (Jan 6) and a Business Forum held yesterday (Jan 8), where Ms Yvonne Choi, Hong Kong’s Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development was the guest-of-honour, and closed with a seminar held earlier today(9 Jan). At this concluding event, Mr John Tsang, Hong Kong’s Financial Secretary, gave a keynote speech, while five other speakers shared their views on the latest product safety directives of the toys industry and good practice in achieving safety standard.
Mr Samson Chan, TMHK’s President, added that, throughout their long history in the industry, Hong Kong’s toy manufacturers had always abided by the International Council of Toy Industries’ Code of Practice and CARE ethical manufacturing process. “Today, we continue to collaborate with toy associations across the world on the latest safety directives, such as the American Society for Testing and Materials’ standards, Japan’s ST Mark, RoHS, WEEE and REACH, and help our members comply to these requirements.”
Apart from leveraging on their seasoned expertise and producing with strict adherence to regulations, Hong Kong’s toy industry is also charting new territory. Mr Lawrence Chan elaborated, “Hong Kong is not only the World’s Toy Centre, but also the world centre for smart toys. By employing the latest technology, our toys contribute to the education and development of children and youths.”
The organisers would like to thank the Trade and Industry Department for funding this event, and give their heartfelt gratitude to all the sponsors and supporting organisations, for making this inaugural Festival a success.
