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Inaugural Smart Lighting Expo ignites future of lighting innovation

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Smart Lighting Expo

Over 1,300 exhibitors embrace rising opportunities in twin lighting fairs
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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 March 2024 -Lighting today has transcended its traditional role of mere illumination, emerging as a catalyst for enhancing well-being and creating a better environment for quality living. To embrace this exciting evolution and capitalise on the rising opportunities, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) will organise the first-ever Smart Lighting Expo, one of the partner events of the Business of Innovation & Technology Week (BITWeek), which will take place alongside the 15th HKTDC Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition) (Spring Lighting Fair) under the theme of “Bright Lighting * Smart Living” at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) from 6-9 April 2024. Featuring more than 1,300 exhibitors from seven countries and regions, the twin lighting fairs will serve as ideal platforms for buyers to explore the latest technologies and discover a wide range of innovative lighting products for meeting the ever-changing needs in the market.

Inaugural Smart Lighting Expo ignites future of lighting innovation

According to Statista, the global smart lighting market is projected to surge to US$25.3 billion this year, a significant increase from US$8.1 billion in 2020. In line with this growth trajectory, an HKTDC survey of exhibitors and buyers at Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition) and Hong Kong International Outdoor and Tech Light Expo 2023, found that 41% of respondents expect sales to increase in the lighting market this year, with 30% identifying smart lighting and solutions as the greatest driver for growth.

To empower businesses in fully capitalising on the growing opportunities across the entire smart lighting supply chain, the Smart Lighting Expo showcases a comprehensive array of products and solutions, ranging from connected lighting technologies such as chips, sensors, LED drivers, and IoT lighting platform, to smart lighting products and solutions like smart control systems and dimmers, smart luminaires, lighting applications and systems.

Industry players unveil cutting-edge smart lighting solutions

In collaboration with Shanghai Pudong Intelligent Lighting Association, the Smart Ecosystem and IoT Supply Chain Area will feature various key players in the smart lighting industry, including Midea, Sunricher, Merrytek, and many more. Other featured brands include Helvar, Valta, SkyLighting and Up-Shine Lighting, etc. The Smart Lighting Expo welcomes the group pavilions from important lighting industry base in the Greater Bay Area, including Zhongshan, Foshan and Jiangmen. Highlighted products include:

Hong Kong exhibitor Mindstec Asia Limited (Booth no.: 1A-E02) will unveil the Helvar 950 DALI-2 multi-master application controller, Helvar’s flagship product that unlocks vast scalability for projects with four DALI-2 Multi-master networks. The solution also incorporates artificial intelligence-based technology which can self-learn continuously and adapt to the evolving needs of modern buildings. It is also compatible with 3rd party BMS building management systems and can be easily expanded and applied to large and complex projects. Helvar’s projects locate all over the world, like National Gallery UK, Istanbul Airport Turkey, Marina Bay Sands Singapore, Abu Dhabi’s World Trade Centre – Trust Tower, etc.

Another Hong Kong, exhibitor Liricco Technologies Limited (Booth no.: 1A-E08) is known for its partnerships with many notable clients including the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, Airport Authority Hong Kong. It aims to cater to a wide range of businesses with its Wireless T8 LED tube. This innovative product can save up to 90% of energy and features built-in motion and lux sensors, making it ideal for carparks, staircases, warehouses and factories. It is compatible with Casambi, DALI 2 and Valta operating systems, providing seamless integration for efficient lighting management.

Hangzhou Sky-Lighting Co. Ltd. (Booth no.: 1B-A02) will showcase smart ceiling lights and bulbs equipped with remote control, colour change and timer functions. The remarkable aspect of these products is their universality, as they are compatible with a wide range of popular smart home platforms including Matter, Apple Homekit, Google, Alexa, Tuya, Zigbee and HUE Philips. This versatility allows users to effortlessly integrate the smart lighting solutions into their existing smart home ecosystems.

Yunfan Ruida Technology (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd (Booth no.: 1A-C18) will present its Mmwave radar solution that is applied to smart homes, elderly and nursing homes. Through multi-person trajectory tracking and people counting solution, including trajectory tracking, regional perception and gesture recognition detection, it facilitates the purposes like lighting trajectory interlocking, senseless home interlocking and air gesture switch. It also provides energy management, intelligent lighting and home security via its human presence detecting solution.

Ningbo Xiaojiang IoT Technology Co., Ltd (Booth no.: 1A-C10) is set to exhibit a smart lighting control system and an intelligent lighting solution. The system supports a wide range of IoT modules, including WiFi, BLE, Dual Mode, Matter. With its universal interfaces, it offers seamless switching across multiple platforms, while the intelligent lighting solution caters to diverse scene needs by providing various modes, such as intelligent dimming, gradient light source, reading/writing mode, reading mode, etc.

Running concurrently with the Smart Lighting Expo, the Spring Lighting Fair will continue to serve as a one-stop business platform for diverse lighting products. The Fair welcomes group pavilion from Mainland China’s Xiamen and Jiangsu. The Hall of Aurora will gather renowned brands around the globe to showcase high-quality lighting fixtures, while other product zones will include Commercial Lighting, Decorative Lighting, Residential Lighting, Technical Lighting and Lighting accessories.

Market leaders share insights on lighting trends

In addition to showcasing products, the twin lighting fairs will feature informative forums where industry players will share their insights on the latest trends and developments in the lighting industry. These forums will provide a valuable platform for knowledge exchange and networking among industry professionals.

Asian Lighting Forum, co-organised with Hong Kong Electronics & Technologies Association (HKETA) and Hong Kong Green Building Council (HKGBC), will take place on 6 April. Renowned speakers from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Lutron Electronics and LANZ will share their insights on the impact and applications of human-centric lighting while award-winning lighting and green designers from HKGBC, Cundall and Baseline Lighting Design Studio will share remarkable cases across industries to illustrate the market trend of sustainable lighting design.

Artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT) and Smart Home will be in focus at Smart Lighting Solution Forum, which will be co-organised with Asia-Pacific AI Business Alliance (AIBA) and Shanghai Pudong Intelligent Lighting Association (SILA). To be held on 7 April, experts from Tuya, Amazon and Bluetooth as well as other industry leaders will shed light on the application of these technologies in smart lighting products.

Fair websites
Smart Lighting Expo: smartlightingexpo.hktdc.com
Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition): hklightingfairse.hktdc.com

Hong Kong Trade Development Council
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong’s trade. With 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus.

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Events

Global Mayors Dialogue in Wuhan focuses on urban innovation and cooperation

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September 24, 2026

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The Global Mayors Dialogue

WUHAN, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 September 2026 – The Global Mayors Dialogue · Wuhan and the 2026 Wuhan International Friendship Cities Cooperation Conference, held from Sept. 18 to 21, brought together 80 international guests from 24 cities across 22 countries, according to organizers.

At the event, mayors and city representatives from six international sister cities of Wuhan called for closer cooperation in technology, industry, education and culture.

Representatives from Manchester in Britain, Kemi in Finland, Cape Town in South Africa, Yangon in Myanmar, Rzeszów in Poland and Turkistan in Kazakhstan took part in discussions on urban innovation, industrial cooperation and cultural exchange.
 




 
Manchester: a new start after 40 years of friendship

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the sister-city relationship between Wuhan and Manchester.

Shaukat Ali, lord mayor of Manchester, said the city was ready to deepen cooperation with Wuhan in education, culture, youth affairs, innovation and industry.

“Manchester is committed to promoting urban transformation through open cooperation, sharing opportunities, and fostering common development with international sister cities like Wuhan,” he said.

Ali said Manchester had developed from a post-industrial city into an innovation-oriented economy, with a focus on advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, life sciences and green technologies.

He said the two cities could share experience in urban transformation, innovation districts, university-industry cooperation and low-carbon development, while encouraging links among universities, businesses and research institutions.

He also highlighted existing educational and cultural links, including cooperation between Hubei University and Manchester Metropolitan University and exchanges between the Royal Northern College of Music and Wuhan Conservatory of Music.

Kemi: balancing growth with environmental protection

Mikko Koivulehto, chairman of the City Council of Kemi, said the Finnish city sought to balance economic growth with environmental protection.

“We believe that protecting nature and building a prosperous city can go hand in hand,” he said.

Kemi, a port city in Finnish Lapland, has developed industries based on renewable raw materials, clean energy and the bioeconomy. The city is also seeking to expand tourism and improve livability.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the friendly exchange relationship between Wuhan and Kemi. The two cities have cooperated in areas including trade, the circular economy, tourism and youth exchanges.

Cape Town: technology and jobs key to urban transformation

Lungelo Mbandazayo, city manager of Cape Town, said technological innovation, talent development, infrastructure and green renewal were key to Wuhan’s transformation.

Cape Town, a UNESCO City of Design, is seeking to expand its technology and digital sectors while promoting green technology and an inclusive economy.

Mbandazayo said youth unemployment remained a major challenge for Cape Town and that technological development needed to create jobs.

After visiting Wuhan companies and technology facilities, he said Cape Town hoped to deepen exchanges with Wuhan in technology and talent.

Yangon: seeking practical cooperation with Wuhan

Yangon Mayor Myo Myint Aung said the city was looking to Wuhan for experience in smart-city development, digital governance, intelligent transport and urban resilience.

Wuhan and Yangon signed a letter of intent on friendly exchanges and cooperation during the event.

Yangon is developing a long-term plan to accommodate population growth and expand its urban, industrial and transport infrastructure.

During a visit to Wuhan on Sept. 19, Myo toured the Optics Valley “Photon” suspended monorail, HGTECH and a Xiaomi smart home appliance factory.

“We came to Wuhan not just to observe, but to learn and cooperate,” he said, adding that Yangon hoped to develop smart manufacturing and strengthen cooperation in information technology.

Rzeszów: opportunities in aerospace and technology

Rzeszów Mayor Konrad Fijołek said the Polish city hoped to cooperate with Wuhan in aerospace, sensor technology, biodiversity and climate action.

Rzeszów is home to the “Aviation Valley,” a major aerospace cluster in Central Europe.

“Exploring cooperation with Wuhan is the reason I came here,” Fijołek said.

After visiting HGTECH and a Xiaomi smart home appliance factory, he said Wuhan’s automated manufacturing and technologies in sensors and satellite systems had impressed him.

He said cities could help connect universities, businesses and research institutions and promote international cooperation.

Turkistan: five areas for cooperation

Turkestan Mayor Azimbek Pazylbekuly said his city hoped to expand cooperation with Wuhan in tourism and culture, education and science, investment and entrepreneurship, digitalization and innovation, and transport and logistics.

Wuhan and Turkistan signed a memorandum of intent on friendly exchanges and cooperation during the event.

Turkistan, an ancient Silk Road city and a UNESCO World Heritage site, has been developing industries including food processing, textiles, furniture and construction materials.

Pazylbekuly said cooperation between governments, businesses, universities and research institutions could help turn the two cities’ exchanges into concrete projects.

The conference also included friendship-city anniversary celebrations and a signing ceremony for 10 cooperation projects. A digital list of cooperation opportunities and an initiative on international friendship-city cooperation were released.

During their stay, the visiting mayors toured Wuhan’s technology, manufacturing and ecological facilities, including the Optics Valley suspended monorail, a Yangtze finless porpoise conservation center, Xiaomi, HGTECH and Dongfeng Motor facilities.
  




 

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Binance Invests $100 Million in Circle, Expands Strategic Partnership and Renews for Five Years

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19 minutes ago

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September 24, 2026

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Binance

New five-year agreement focuses on promotion of USDC globally

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, September 23, 2026/APO Group/ –Binance (www.Binance.com) today announced a $100 million equity investment in Circle Internet Group, Inc. (NYSE: CRCL) and the expansion and renewal of its strategic partnership to promote USDC across Binance’s global platform. The new arrangement has a term of five years.

Together, we see incredible opportunities to leverage USDC to expand dollar access, support savings and investment with innovative digital asset products

Under the expanded partnership, Binance will promote USDC across its global platform, especially in emerging markets. Circle will provide the infrastructure services that support holding and using USDC.

 




  

In connection with the partnership, Binance purchased $100 million worth of shares of Circle Class A common stock, through a private placement at a purchase price reflecting a five percent discount to the market price of CRCL prior to closing.

“Circle has earned its place as one of the most credible issuers in the world spanning USDC, Arc and the infrastructure reshaping how value moves across borders. Our $100 million investment and five-year commitment represent long-duration conviction,” said Richard Teng, co-CEO of Binance. “We are helping to build a more inclusive, transparent, and compliant digital economy. A stable, trusted digital dollar should not be a privilege–it should be available to anyone with a phone. That’s the future this partnership is designed to deliver.”

“Binance has built one of the largest and most dynamic platforms in the world for using digital currency, creating the internet’s largest financial super app, and becoming the most widely used wallets in the world for dollar stablecoins,” said Jeremy Allaire, Co-founder, Chairman and CEO of Circle. “Together, we see incredible opportunities to leverage USDC to expand dollar access, support savings and investment with innovative digital asset products, and reach people and businesses throughout global emerging markets.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Binance.

 

 




 

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Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) Supports Successful Close of ₦729 Billion Series 2 Bonds to Advance Nigeria’s Power Sector Reforms

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21 minutes ago

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September 24, 2026

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Africa Finance Corporation

Working in partnership with CardinalStone Partners as co-Financial Advisers, the transaction reflects AFC’s deep local market expertise and its continued commitment to delivering complex, high-impact policy advice and financial solutions that catalyse sector-wide reform

ABUJA, Nigeria, September 23, 2026/APO Group/ –Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) (https://www.AfricaFC.org/), the continent’s leading infrastructure solutions provider, today announced its critical role as Co-Financial Adviser on the successful close of the ₦728.9 billion Series 2 power sector bond transaction by NBET Finance Company Plc, under the Federal Government of Nigeria’s Presidential Power Sector Financial Reforms Programme (PPSFRP). The programme is designed to resolve over a decade of legacy debt obligations within the Nigerian electricity supply industry.

 




  

This issuance follows the ₦501 billion inaugural Series 1 transaction completed in January 2026, where AFC played the same role of Co-Financial Adviser. The Series 2 close, which brings the cumulative issuance under the Programme to approximately ₦1.23 trillion, marks a significant milestone in the implementation of the ₦4 trillion Power Sector Multi-Instrument Issuance Programme..

The Presidential Power Sector Debt Reduction Committee (PPSDRC) oversees the Programme, with the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Power provides technical leadership, implementing through the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET)’s special purpose vehicle, NBET Finance Company Plc. Proceeds from the Series 2 issuance will continue to enable the process of settling verified, overdue receivables owed to Power Generation Companies (GenCos) for electricity supplied between February 2015 and March 2025, further extinguishing legacy claims and injecting liquidity into the electricity industry.

Closing the second issuance within eight months of the inaugural series shows the Programme is working as designed

Building on its critical role in Series 1, AFC provided comprehensive financial advisory services to the Federal Government of Nigeria on the Series 2 transaction, including support in negotiating and executing Settlement Agreements with additional GenCos, structuring of the Series 2 cash and non-cash tranches, and investor engagement ahead of the offer. Working in partnership with CardinalStone Partners as co-Financial Advisers, the transaction reflects AFC’s deep local market expertise and its continued commitment to delivering complex, high-impact policy advice and financial solutions that catalyse sector-wide reform.

Banji Fehintola, Executive Board Member and Head, Financial Services at Africa Finance Corporation, said, “Closing the second issuance within eight months of the inaugural series shows the Programme is working as designed- verified legacy obligations are being converted into transparent, investable instruments, and domestic investors are backing that approach. AFC is proud to continue supporting the Federal Government in delivering reforms that restore liquidity to the power sector and lay the foundation for new investment into Nigeria’s generation capacity.”

The Series 2 transaction comes on the back of the full and timely payment of the first coupon and principal instalment on the Series 1 Bonds in July 2026, demonstrating the Federal Government’s commitment to honouring its obligations under the Programme and reinforcing the credibility of the capital-markets approach to resolving legacy sector debt. The issuance, which was oversubscribed, attracted strong demand from pension fund administrators, banks, sovereign wealth funds and asset managers, further mobilising domestic long-term capital for critical electricity infrastructure in Nigeria.

When completed, the Programme will impact approximately 5,398MW of electricity generation capacity by Nigerian GenCos, effectively finalising settlement of payments for 290,644.84GWhr of electricity billed since February 2015 and providing a strong foundation for new investments into capacity enhancement and expansion by companies serving 12 million active registered customers across the country.

Mr. Akin Odeyemi, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET) Plc. said, “For too long, verified receivables have sat on GenCos’ balance sheets, limiting their ability to pay gas suppliers, maintain plants and invest in new capacity. With Series 2, we are turning more of those arrears into liquidity across the electricity value chain. We thank our investors, the participating GenCos, our advisers and the regulatory authorities whose support made this issuance possible.”

Nigeria’s Presidential Power Sector Financial Reforms Programme forms a fundamental aspect of the energy sector reforms by the government, alongside significant ongoing investments in consumer metering and transmission infrastructure, and a transition to bilateral electricity trading between wholesale counterparties based on market-reflective pricing. Together, these reforms are aimed at ensuring the evolution of a viable and sustainable electricity market in Nigeria to support long-term industrial growth and development.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Finance Corporation (AFC).

 




 

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