An expanded delegation of 42 companies organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council is bound for the International Housewares Show from 12 to 15 January in Chicago.

Its mission: to supply international buyers with an array of everyday products that bring pleasure and convenience to homes in North America and other overseas markets.

"That's not mission impossible," said the HKTDC's senior manager of trade promotion, Mr Louis Ho. "Considering Hong Kong's history in the housewares industry, it's more like mission probable.

"High property prices mean that Hong Kong people themselves live in some of the world's smallest apartments," he added. "Yet our companies have the savvy and skill to produce housewares perfect for larger North American homes. That's typical because a knack for meeting the precise needs of overseas customers is the secret of Hong Kong's economic success."

The territory's pavilion at the upcoming show is up substantially from 27 companies in the 1996 fair. Exhibits range all the way from beauty sets to breadmakers, cookware to clocks, mops to microwaves, porcelains to pump carafes, smoke detectors to stationery, and salad spinners to shopping trolleys.

"That's just for starters," Mr Ho said. "Not only is Hong Kong's pavilion larger, but it also has a wider range of innovative items."

In 1995, Americans imported US$6.5 billion worth of household goods from Hong Kong, up 14 per cent on the previous year. Canada and Latin America are also important markets for Hong Kong housewares.

The territory's manufacturers continue to move steadily upmarket through product refinements, innovative designs and attractive packaging. They enjoy significant price advantages because of their cost efficient Asian factories.

Exhibitor Dickson Industrial Co Ltd specialises in lines of electrical products for personal grooming and others for food preparation. "We produce electrical hair care and health products, such as hair dryers, hot air curlers, curling irons and brushes, air diffusers, hair clippers, facial saunas and massagers," said export manager Mr Tony Mok. For kitchens, he has egg boilers, hand mixers, rice cookers, kettles, toasters, coffee makers and toaster ovens.

Along with smoke detectors, including a special version for travelers, Hong Kong's Eyston Company Ltd supplies carbon monoxide detectors and automatic night lights.

MD Electric (HK) Ltd focus on home comfort, resulting in a range of air conditioners, electric fans, heaters and humidifiers.

Hong Kong's pavilion also features:

• drinkware and dinner sets;
• gift items;
• digital timers and thermometers;
• telephones and caller ID video tapes;
• kitchen knives, scissors, can openers, cutlery, salt and pepper mills and shakers;
• photoframes, key chains and lamps;
• cleaning products;
• garden tools and outdoor furniture covers;
• clothing bags, shoe bags and table covers;
• sponges, towels, cosmetic puffs and cleaning cloths;
• vacuum flasks and vacuum cleaners;
• manicure sets, sewing kits, jewellery boxes, compact mirrors and lipstick holders;
• steam irons, water canteens, grills and microwavable storage boxes.

HKTDC, the territory's trade promotional organisation, has led delegations to the International Housewares Show since 1984. At last year's fair, the Hong Kong pavilion generated orders worth US$17 million.

HKTDC has permanent offices in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and Miami. Traders in the US Midwest may contact the Chicago office at Tel: 1-(312)-726-4515, Fax: 1-(312)-726-2441.

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