World Watch, Clock and Jewellery Show - BASEL 2000
The World Watch, Clock and Jewellery Show at Basel, Switzerland, otherwise known as the BASEL fair, is an international marketplace where business deals are struck, innovative ideas exchanged and future market and product trends developed. It is a 'must-go' event for everyone in the watches and clock industry.

The Fair Authorities in Basel reported that the last event saw strong participation by visitors from the United States, Japan, Latin America and Australia. A number of emerging markets such as Scandinavia, Eastern Europe and Russia were also well represented this year. In 1999 the fair featured 2,300 exhibitors from 40 countries, with 80,400 trade buyers registered for the eight-day event, showing an increase of five percent over last year.

To strengthen the position of Hong Kong's timepieces and jewelry industries in the international market, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council has been putting together a Hong Kong pavilion since 1987. Its size has actually grown to the limits of physical space of Hall 321 where the Hong Kong Pavilion has been located for the past seven years.

The Hong Kong delegation occupied the largest non-European pavilion, and it was the fourth largest contingent at the show after Italy, Germany and Switzerland. A total of 245 representatives from the Hong Kong jewelry, watch and clock sectors were confident that increased business orders this year meant improved conditions for these important Hong Kong industries. The Hong Kong contingent registered 10,349 business inquiries and pooled together 6,126 new contacts. HKTDC's information counter received about 2,000 trade inquiries.

In 1999, on-the-spot orders for the Hong Kong delegation rose by eight percent to US$124.2 million, compared to US$115 million in 1998. Orders under negotiation also rose by 39 percent to US$123.8 million, from US$89 million in 1998.

This year's business results demonstrate that Hong Kong remains internationally competitive. There is also some clear indication that business is beginning to pick up after a couple of very difficult years.

The delegates met more new buyers from the United States, the United Kingdom, Latin America and Eastern Europe, including Russia and Poland. Traditional buyers came from Western and Southern Europe, the Far East and Middle East. Buyers were very much impressed with the quality and design of Hong Kong products. On-the-spot orders were placed faster than in past years.

Hong Kong shows very good designs and simple lines. The 147 Hong Kong watch and clock companies in Basel reported an increase in business from US$81 million in 1998 to US$83.3 million in 1999.

Innovative designs, high-quality, quick response and competitive prices are all keys to success amidst tough competition in the international market. A great number of Hong Kong companies have their own R&D teams which play a critical role in satisfying international customers. They also study customer needs and are well-informed about season to season product trends.

Hong Kong companies make able partners in either original equipment manufacturing (OEM) or original design manufacturing (ODM). Thousands of Hong Kong factories, mostly located in southern China and throughout Asia, are both up-to-date and cost-efficient.

Watch-and-clock manufacturers based in Hong Kong have moved upmarket by investing in technology to enhance their productivity, quality and design. They rely on imported movements and module parts, often from Japan or Europe. Manufacturers of components and parts also join thousands of importers and retailers in visiting the Hong Kong pavilion every year.

HKTDC's Watch and Clock Advisory Committee chairman Bob Chong said the industry remains strong as trade in Hong Kong timepieces continues to boom in Europe and North America. Posting a US$5.7 billion worth of exports in 1998, Hong Kong is still a leading exporter.

The latest trends favor stainless steel and sport watches, as well as fashionable timepieces in various designs for different occasions. Demand from young consumers for inexpensive watches continue to rise. Stylish pieces are no longer seen as a luxury. Digital models are also in demand and will soon be equipped with pagers and mobile phone functions.

While the HKTDC continues to project a good image to the industry at Basel and expand the Hong Kong Pavilion, its future success nevertheless lies in the concerted efforts of the Hong Kong watch and clock industry.

In 1998, the HKTDC organized a free seminar on the Protection of Intellectual Property Rights and the Basel Panel Case Study for the Hong Kong delegation. Swiss lawyer Dr. Felix H. Thomann, a Patent specialist as recommended by the Basel Panel, was invited by the TDC to come to Hong Kong as the seminar's key speaker. It also hired Swiss lawyer Dr. Martin Boos to render on-site professional assistance to the Hong Kong delegation on copyright cases for the duration of the entire fair.

An inspection committee nominated by the Chairmen of the Watches, Clocks and Jewellery Associations was formed. The HKTDC organized a pre-show inspection involving the members of this committee together with the lawyer in the morning of the first fair day. All window displays in the Hong Kong Pavilion were visually checked and delegates properly advised.

As a result, copyright infringement cases involving Hong Kong in 1999 went down to just five cases. For the first time, one Hong Kong company successfully launched a panel case against a German company and was accepted by the Basel Panel.

The way forward
Hong Kong is the world's major exporter of timepieces. The industry's remarkable resilience and its continuous upgrading of capabilities to meet challenges from competitors and market demands will ensure future success in the development of the industry and participation in Basel. To maintain the leading edge, the industry stays competitive by adopting the latest technologies, sound supply chain management, innovative designs and by further improvement on quality management.

At Basel, as well as the world at large, HKTDC is committed to project the best image for Hong Kong and its industries. In the area of business matching, apart from leading delegations to established markets such as Basel or holding international exhibitions in Hong Kong, HKTDC is also working together with the trade associations to organize professionally focused Hong Kong solo exhibitions for new and emerging markets in major sourcing centers.

A solo exhibition for the Hong Kong watch and clock industry was held in Miami, targeting mainly the major Latin American buyers. This event, co-organized with the Federation and the Hong Kong Watch Manufacturers Association Ltd, was well supported by the industry and enabled the Hong Kong delegation to forge strong ties with the major buyers in a more focused and relaxed atmosphere.

Picking up from the success of this promotion, a second solo fair in Miami and another major event in Paris targeting buyers from Middle East and Eastern Europe are underway in the year 2000. These will definitely break new grounds in the international market.