"Global Sources is quite satisfied with the achievements of its first three exhibitions held at Hong Kong Asia World Expo earlier this month and Hong Kong is really an ideal place for trade fairs," said Merle Hinrichs, chairman of the Global Sources.

He said in an interview with Xinhua Thursday that the company sponsored China Sourcing Fair: Gifts & Home Products, Electronics & Components, Fashion & Accessories exhibitions in the past two weeks, which attracted over 68,000 buyers from 166 countries and regions, including world top buyers as Argentrics members.

He said the autumn gifts fair, to be held at the AsiaWorld Expo in October, will be extended to all the 10 halls of the expo and the 4,000 booths have been almost reserved.

Hinrichs added the electronic show will also be extended from 1,700 booths to 2,000. "I'm confident about the future trade shows," as the AsiaWorld Expo is Hong Kong's first purposely built exhibition center, which is located near the Hong Kong International Airport and has easy access to MTR and other public transportation tools, he said.

Hinrichs said the moving of Asian Aviation Show from Singapore to Hong Kong next year is another confidence vote for Hong Kong's future.

He urged the owner of the AsiaWorld Expo to start its second phase construction as early as possible which will extend the existing venue's floor space from 70,000 square meters to 100,000 sq. meters.

Hinrichs said "I'm sure, the expansion of the AsiaWorld Expo will be a 'win-win-win' situation, which will benefit buyers, suppliers and Hong Kong as well."

He believed that Hong Kong could not lose the chance for promotion of its exhibition industry as the competition is witnessed both in Hong Kong and its neighboring regions.

With over 35 years of history, Global Sources help efficient sourcing of over 479,000 actively buyers worldwide. It has more than 10 specialized websites and arranges 14 trade fairs every year.

Establishing the business in Hong Kong 35 years ago, Hinrichs now employs over 2,400 people in many parts of the world, with exhibitions as only part of its business.