Trading time: HK Trade Development Council Executive Director (Designate) Frederick Lam and Financial Secretary Henry Tang (2nd and 3rd from left) attend the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong pavilion at Baselworld 2004 in Switzerland.

The Baselworld watch and jewellery fair in Switzerland is seeing its largest ever delegation from Hong Kong.

Speaking today at a welcome luncheon hosted by the fair organisers, Financial Secretary Henry Tang said the Hong Kong pavilion organised by the Trade Development Council is the largest group pavilion at the show with 300 companies taking part.

"We are very proud that this year Hong Kong is able to send the largest ever delegation to this important fair," he said.

"This year's Baselwold has a very special meaning to me and to the Hong Kong exhibitors - we are all very glad Hong Kong has come back."

Reaching new markets

As the world's largest watch and jewellery fair, Mr Tang said the event is one of the best industry platforms for reaching new markets and for growing businesses. 

"It is also widely recognised as a very effective sourcing hub and a premier networking venue for industry players," he added.

Mr Tang said Hong Kong serves as a very important conduit for Swiss companies to enter the fastest growing market in the world, the Mainland.

Last year, Swiss-Chinese trade routed through Hong Kong amounted to US$1.1 billion, about a third of the total trade between the two countries. This role has been further reinforced with the implementation of CEPA, he said.