The Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Autumn Edition) 2008 starts today at two venues - the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center (HKCEC) and the Hong Kong Exhibition Center - and will last until Thursday.

The fair's Hall of Fame includes a number of renowned brands and showcases a variety of state-of-the-art electronics

More than 2,600 exhibitors from 29 countries and regions, occupying over 3,800 booths, display their latest products and technologies at the event organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).

In addition to returning group pavilions from China and South Korea, new exhibitors including those from Canada, the Czech Republic, France and the United Arab Emirates will present their products at the show.

For the first time, the exhibition is expanded to occupy the Hong Kong Exhibition Center in the China Resources Building adjacent to HKCEC, that will include the debut of a special sector - the In-Vehicle Electronics & GPS Zone.

The new zone was developed in response to the rapid growth in the industry sector and showcases the latest products from about 60 exhibitors that make auto equipment ranging from car entertainment, parking sensors, security devices, Bluetooth products and GPS units.

In 2008 the fair again has zones such as the popular Hall of Fame, featuring branded goods and stylish electronic products, Digital World, Home Tech for home appliances, home security products and personal care electronics, and the Technology Exchange Zone featuring breakthrough concepts and prototypes from Hong Kong research institutes, universities and tech incubator companies.

Exhibits at the Autumn Edition include audiovisual products, electronic accessories, home appliances, multimedia and electronic gaming, security products, telecommunications and more.

The section of Product Demo & Launch Pad at the fair is set up to help exhibitors introduce their latest products and services.

The fair attracted more than 58,000 buyers from 160 countries and regions in 2007. It is serving as a sourcing platform and an information exchange forum as well as a showcase for new products this year, organizers said.

"The fair provides a perfect platform for releasing new designs, getting customer feedback and enhancing mutual communication," said Wes Hsu, director and vice-president of Airlux Electrical Co Ltd from Chinese Taiwan, which was one of the exhibitors at last year's fair.

The largest fair of its kind in Asia and the second-largest in the world, the fair is an important industry event with manifold business opportunities, participants said.

"This is my sixth year at the fair and the event seems to be growing every year," Terry Stone, general manager of Tempo (Aust) Pty Ltd, Australia, said during the 2007 event.

"I have seen a lot of improvements, especially new designs in audio-visual products, kitchenware and small electrical appliances," said Stone, who added he met many suppliers at the fair.

A concurrent event is electronicAsia, the region's leading trade event for all kinds of components, assemblies, electronic production and display technologies, and which also includes the special World of Display Technology themed zone.

Now in its 12th edition, electronicAsia features over 560 exhibitors and 700 booths from 17 countries and regions and is a valuable accompaniment to the HKTDC Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Autumn Edition).

Hong Kong has long been linked with the electronics business and the city continues to be a leading light in this industry.

Hong Kong's sales of electronic products continue to soar- electronics exports grew by 10.5 percent to .7 billionin the first six months of 2008 in comparison with the same period in 2007.

The two world-class events will bring more than 3,100 exhibitors and 4,500 quality booths.