Long-term participation of Hong Kong TDC at BaselWorld secured

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and MCH Swiss Exhibition (Basel) Ltd. have today signed the contracts for the long-term presence of Hong Kong's exhibitors at the Watch and Jewellery Show BASELWORLD. The impressive participation of Hong Kong in its own pavilion at BASELWORLD has thus been secured for a further five years.

A key element of the World Watch and Jewellery Show was cemented in place in Hong Kong today: Fred Lam, Executive Director of HKTDC, and René Kamm, CEO of MCH Group, signed the contracts for Hong Kong's participation in BASELWORLD for the period from 2013 to 2017, with an option for a further five years up to 2022.

Biggest and most important pavilion

For René Kamm, the signing of the contract is evidence of the great confidence that the HKTDC places in BASELWORLD: "Since 1986, our guests from Hong Kong have been reliable partners and a valuable element of this show, which always sets out to depict the full breadth of the world watch and jewellery industry. I am very happy that we have succeeded in securing this relationship of trust and in taking it forward over the long term." With the signing of the contract today, BASELWORLD is ensuring the participation of over 200 exhibitors from Hong Kong at the show as of 2013. For Fred Lam too, the agreement constitutes a further milestone in the successful history of the presence of exhibitors from Hong Kong at the World Watch and Jewellery Show: "We will continue to be present in Basel with the biggest pavilion in future too. BASELWORLD provides the best and most important opportunity outside of Hong Kong for our manufacturers to get in touch with specialist dealers from all over the world."

Signing Ceremony Hong Kong - René Kamm, CEO MCH Group and Fred Lam, Executive Director HKTDC

BASELWORLD compactly staged at Exhibition Square as of 2013

The key importance of the Hong Kong pavilion for the World Watch and Jewellery Show will be better reflected in future through its new position in Hall 4 directly on Exhibition Square. This will be possible as of 2013 with the completion of the new exhibition complex in Basel. Following investments totalling CHF 430 million, the new building, which has been designed for the MCH Group by architects Herzog & de Meuron with its big, coherent exhibition surfaces, will also ensure a greater level of convenience for visitors to the show.

MCH Group present in Hong Kong with Art Basel

As the organiser of BASELWORLD, the MCH Group will be further reinforcing its links with Hong Kong in the future: with the launch of Art Basel in Hong Kong, the MCH Group is taking a big step in the direction of Asia. Art Basel, who stages the world's premier art shows for Modern and contemporary works, forms part of the MCH Group's portfolio. The first edition of Art Basel in Hong Kong will be presenting a selection of the leading galleries from Asia, Europe, the USA and the rest of the world, with works by more than 2000 artists. The show is being held from May 23 to 26, 2013, in the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).