Ms Monica Lee-Müller, newly promoted Director of Business Development at the Centre, draws on her HKCEC experience of ten years to talk about what the Centre is expecting from the coming twelve months:

"After a year of ups and downs that saw the HKCEC having to pull out all the stops, the forecast for 2004 is a cause for real optimism. Hong Kong's economy is stabilising after a couple of years of downturn, and business confidence is shooting higher again. Demand is stronger than ever for high-quality international trade exhibitions, which act as vital catalysts for economic growth and global trade interfacing. In this respect, the HKCEC's prospects are very strong, thanks to its unrivalled reputation and its ideal position in Asia. We are continuing to attract significant levels of repeat business from satisfied clients, welcoming back some eighty per cent of major exhibitions in the 2003-04 fiscal year. This tells us we're doing something right, and we're ready to build on this in 2004 to take us to new levels of achievement.

"It's a good start that in 2004 we'll be welcoming seven brand new exhibitions to the HKCEC. These new events are, in their variety, typical of the enormous range of trade business that we support here: they include fairs for textiles, hardware, electronics, logistics, security, gifts and toys, and real estate management. But of course trade exhibitions are only one part of what we cater for, and we're also looking forward to welcoming nearly 40,000 delegates to international and regional conferences that will be held at the Centre. Amongst other events, these will include major international conferences for medical experts, financial professionals, students, and travel industry personnel.

"We are also expecting to see a continual steady rise in Mainland visitors to our events, particularly now that visa arrangements between Hong Kong and the Mainland have been simplified. Now as never before, Hong Kong is a key link between global traders and the booming China economy. Businesses and exhibition organisers are realising that scheduling and attending events in Hong Kong really does give them a competitive edge and is a great platform from which to build up relations with Mainland companies. Our goal here at the HKCEC over the coming year is to make sure we provide everything necessary to make doing business, both with China and internationally, as simple, pleasurable and profitable as possible."