Set to present its 12th edition at AsiaWorld-Expo, Hong Kong, from the 26th to the 29th of October 2017, Eco Expo Asia, organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, and co-organised by the Environment Bureau of the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, will serve as a gateway to the burgeoning green market in Asia.
Over the past decade, it has gained a positive reputation among various international government bodies, along with the Hong Kong and Chinese governments, as well as trade associations. In 2016, the expo attracted a record-breaking 325 exhibitors from 19 countries and regions, as well as 13,458 trade visitors from 107 countries and regions.
This year, Eco Expo Asia will be returning with a new theme, Innovative Solutions for Greener Cities, which is comprised of categories such as Green Buildings and Energy Efficiency, Green Transportation, Waste Management, Recycling, and Water Treatment and Quality Management, among others. Additionally, green start-ups focused on innovative sustainable development and related solutions will be in the spotlight.
The upcoming 12th edition of Eco Expo Asia will continue to feature a strong line-up of global exhibitors, boasting an international profile bolstered by the involvement of international pavilions. Through the assistance of a number of renowned industry associations and national trade offices, several pavilions have already confirmed their participation, and providing a comprehensive display of the latest green technologies, solutions and products from around the world.
Since its debut at Eco Expo Asia 2014, the Korea Pavilion will be returning this year. The Korea Environmental Industry Association (KEIA) will be organising the pavilion with the goal of gathering Korean companies to showcase their cutting-edge environmental technologies, which are applicable to a diverse range of sectors.
The Switzerland Pavilion, a loyal participant for the past four years, will also be participating. The pavilion will be coming back with a range of brands specialised in technologies and solutions related to waste management and recycling, water treatment and quality management.
The Canada Pavilion, led by the Consulate General of Canada in Hong Kong and the Ontario Ministry of International Trade, will again bring numerous green-tech companies together from different regions across the sprawling country to reveal their green innovations this year.
In addition, government departments in Hong Kong, including the Architectural Services Department, the Hong Kong Observatory and the Water Supplies Department have also confirmed their participation this year. Key exhibitors Baguio and Robin Energy are also expected.
Recently, Asian countries have begun emerging as influential investors in global renewable energy investments. In 2016, the total global investment in renewable energy hit US$241.6 billion. Presently, the total investments from the Chinese mainland, Japan, and India alone, excluding other nations in Asia, are already accounting for more than 40 per cent of the global share.
Meanwhile, the Chinese mainland is determined to address its water quality issues. And according to The 13th Five Year Plan – National Urban Sewage Treatment and Recycling Facilities Construction Plan published in December 2016, the Chinese mainland aims to cover all urban areas with wastewater treatment facilities by the end of 2020, with the urban sewage treatment rate going up to 95 per cent. The initiative will create an investment potential of US$81.8 billion (RMB 564.4 billion) for urban sewage treatment.
Hong Kong also aims to reduce its municipal solid waste disposal rate by 40 per cent per capita by 2022. Following the opening of the T · PARK, the first self-sustained sludge treatment facility in Hong Kong in 2016, Phase One of the Organic Waste Treatment Facility will be commissioned this year, and Phase Two is expected to contract let in 2018.
