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Hong Kong International Optical Fair to open in November Focus on advanced technology and sustainable design

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International Optical Fair
  • Over 700 exhibitors from 17 countries and regions to participate from 6-8 November at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
  • Exhibition reflects four prominent market trends: technology, lifestyle, functionality and sustainability
  • Concurrent Hong Kong International Optometric Symposium to explore latest breakthroughs in myopia control and prevention
  • Finalists of the 24th Hong Kong Eyewear Design Competition to be unveiled

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 25 October 2024 – The 32nd Hong Kong International Optical Fair, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and co-organised by the Hong Kong Optical Manufacturers Association (HKOMA), will take place on 6-8 November at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Under the theme of Seeing is Believing, the Fair features innovative and state-of-the-art eyewear designs and products, bringing together industry players to facilitate new business opportunities.

Buyer Registration linkhttps://tinyurl.com/mwpzh324

Sophia Chong, Acting Executive Director of the HKTDC emphasised: “This year’s Hong Kong International Optical Fair, a long-standing industry highlight for over 30 years, is more international than ever, attracting more than 700 exhibitors from 17 countries and regions. The fair reflects the dynamic evolution in eyewear design and technology. Exhibitors worldwide are aligning their products with key trends in technology, lifestyle, functionality and sustainability to capture expanded market opportunities. This exhibition, which is truly a feast for the eyes, demonstrates Hong Kong’s advantages as an international trade and procurement centre.”

Hong Kong ranks as the world’s third-largest exporter of eyewear and frames. The total export value of Hong Kong’s eyewear, lenses and frames is estimated to have reached HK$19.9 billion in 2023, signalling substantial growth. The smart eyewear sector has emerged as an industry focal point, with the global market exceeding HK$40 billion in 2023 and projected to surpass HK$100 billion by 2029.

Exhibitors from around the globe, including Europe and Americas, such as France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as Asia such as Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Türkiye in the Middle East, and more, will present their latest offerings at the fair. Prominent Hong Kong brands will also have a significant presence.

This year’s Optical Fair will feature a number of group pavilions, including Mainland China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan, as well as the Visionaries of Style and HKOMA Pavilion; along with pavilions from cities in Mainland China, including Danyang in Jiangsu, Jiaojiang in Zhejiang, Shenzhen in Guangdong and Yingtan in Jiangxi.

TheBrand Name Gallery, the focal point of the Fair, will showcase over 200 renowned global brands. Other zones will present a broad spectrum of eyewear products, including Smart Eyewear, Contact Lenses & Accessories, Designer Café pavilion, Sporting & Professional Eyewear, Kids Eyewear & Reading Glasses, Lenses, Frames & Parts, Eyewear Accessories, Diagnostic Instruments, as well as Optometric Instruments, Equipment & Machinery.

The 22nd Hong Kong International Optometric Symposium will be held on 7 November. Jointly organised by the HKTDC, the Hong Kong Optometric Association and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, this year’s symposium will focus on myopia control and prevention. Scholars from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Australia, and Germany will lead discussions with industry professionals. The symposium is a pre-approved CPD Programme recognised by the Optometrists Board and attendees will receive a Certificate of Attendance. The Fair will also offer talks and seminars on smart eyewear, functional eyewear, sustainability and other advancements in the eyewear industry.

To foster Hong Kong’s creativity and innovation, the HKTDC and HKOMA will run the 24th Hong Kong Eyewear Design Competition under the theme of Be Bold. Results will be announced during the Hong Kong International Optical Fair. Winning and final entries will be on display at The Forum, Hall 1D during the fair period to showcase Hong Kong’s creativity to international buyers.

Under the EXHIBITION+ hybrid model, exhibitors and buyers can meet online through the Click2Match business matching platform in addition to attending the physical fair until 15 November. Buyers can also use the Scan2Match feature of the HKTDC Marketplace App to scan the QR codes of exhibitors and view product materials, bookmark favourites, browse product information and floor plans, as well as engage with exhibitors before and after the fairs to continue their sourcing journey.

Featured ProductsExhibitors at the forefront of the industry are unveiling an array of innovative eyewear products in line with technology, lifestyle, functionality and sustainability trends. Some of the highlighted products are:

Technology

Solos AirGo™ V – Smart EyewearEquipped with a camera, Solos AirGo™ V is the world’s first smart eyewear with ChatGPT-4 functionality, and provides instant responses to what you seeSolos Technology Limited
Product Zone: Visionaries of Style
Booth: GH-B26
Reform Eyewear
Reform features a new patented flexible frame technology that seamlessly adapts to any frame shape, size, colour or material, suitable for both prescription and sunglasses. This innovation offers endless possibilities for eyewear design, while ensuring safety and comfort.Icare (Hong Kong) Company Limited
Product Zone: Hong Kong Optical Manufacturers Association Pavilion
Booth: 1E-C08


Lifestyle

Fashion-Forward Yagioka EyewearThe local design brand Big Horn has launched the Yagioka eyewear line, featuring a modern and refined design that is perfect for fashion-forward people. This eyewear design was a finalist for the USA Accessories Council’s Design Excellence Awards 2024.The Panda eyewear series draws inspiration for its colours and shapes from the beloved animal. Crafted with precision and made from high-quality biodegradable materials, it combines functionality with aesthetic appeal.Winky International Limited
Product Zone: Brand Name Gallery
Booth: GH-R03
Rosie Allan – A Design for Both Parents and Children

Established in 2020, Rosie Allan transcends being just a brand; it celebrates family bonds and unforgettable moments. Specialising in 100% handcrafted acetate sunglasses, the matching parent-child collection symbolises love and togetherness.Rosie Allan Pty Ltd
Product Zone: Brand Name Gallery
Booth: GH-D07
Luxury Jewellery-inspired Handcrafted EyewearThis Japanese brand merges high-end jewellery design with eyewear, utilising premium materials, such as 18K gold and natural diamonds. Each pair is meticulously handcrafted with a commitment to artisanal craftsmanship and is specifically designed for Asian facial features, exuding elegance.Inon Co. Ltd.
Product Zone: Japan Pavilion
Booth: GH-B12


Functionality
:

Nano Vista Children’s Sports EyewearCrafted exclusively for kids and young athletes, Nano Vista – a Spanish brand – offers eyewear designed for outdoor activities. It is internationally recognised for safety, meets European EN166:2001 standards and is endorsed by top sports federations.Opticon Ltd
Product Zone: Brand Name Gallery
Booth: GH-C06


Sustainability:

Sustainable Eyewear Frame SolutionThe eyewear frames are made from BioCell material. BioCell is a cellulose acetate derived from cotton or wood pulp, certified as biodegradable according to ISO 14855 standards. It contains no industry-standard plasticisers and is compatible with polycarbonate lenses.Eleung Limited
Product Zone: Hong Kong Optical Manufacturers Association Pavilion
Booth: 1E-D14
Eco-Friendly Nylon and PC LensesEco-friendly nylon and polycarbonate (PC) lenses are produced using sustainable materials, reducing carbon emissions during the manufacturing process. They feature high abrasion and scratch resistance and have received multiple certifications. Even in low-temperature conditions, they maintain hardness and toughness, providing excellent clarity and optical transmission performance.Mellan Limited
Product Zone: Frames & Parts
Booth: 1E-C28

Websites:
The 32nd Hong Kong International Optical Fair:https://www.hktdc.com/event/hkopticalfair/en

Event Details of the Hong Kong International Optical Fair: https://www.hktdc.com/event/hkopticalfair/en/intelligence-hub

The 22nd Hong Kong International Optometric Symposium: https://www.hktdc.com/event/hkopticalfair/en/the-22nd-hong-kong-international-optometric-symposium

The HKTDC’s Media Room: http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/en

Fair Details (Physical)
Date:6 – 8 November (Wednesday to Friday)
Time:(6 to 7 November) 9:30am – 6:30pm(8 November) 9:30am – 5:00pm
Venue:Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
Admission:For trade visitors aged 18 or above only.Onsite Registration Fee: HK$100 per person (free for e-Badge registration and pre-registered buyers)
Click2Match – Smart Business Matching Platform
Date:30 October – 15 November

Energy

Investment, Fuel Security and Strategy to Take Center Stage Across Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2026 Multi-Track Program

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With strategic, technical and roundtable discussions, AOG 2026 strengthens its position as Angola’s premier platform for industry dialogue, investment and project development

LUANDA, Angola, March 27, 2026/APO Group/ –The Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) Conference and Exhibition returns to Luanda this September as a bridge connecting global investors and project developers with Angolan projects and partners. At a time when global supply disruptions and geopolitics are sharpening consumer focus on Africa, Angola offers the stability, resource base and investment appeal needed to support long-term security. Reflecting this focus, AOG will once again feature a multi-track program designed to showcase Angolan opportunities to a global audience.

Across three primary tracks – the Strategic, Technical and Roundtables Track – AOG 2026 will bring together policymakers, operators, financiers and technology providers to address challenges and opportunities across the full investment value chain. The expanded program structure underscores the event’s commitment to facilitating targeted discussions that support project development, strengthen partnerships and address the most pressing challenges facing Angola’s oil and gas sector today.

Strategic Track

As Angola continues to position itself as a leading African investment destination, the AOG 2026 Strategic Track will provide a platform for high-level dialogue between government, operators and investors, focusing on the policies, partnerships and capital frameworks required to sustain production and drive new exploration. Taking place across the two-day main conference, the Strategic Track will address the macro and investment-driven themes shaping Angola’s oil and gas industry.

Sessions will cover investment trends, Angola’s upstream competitiveness, advancing deepwater frontier momentum and opportunities in building an Angolan gas economy. Additional discussions will examine oil trade and the impacts of geopolitics, financing solutions for independents, fuel supply security and refining and the economics of local content success.

Technical Track

Running alongside the Strategic Track, the Technical Track will feature a series of presentations and discussions addressing critical operational and technical challenges across Angola’s oil and gas sector. This track will focus on practical solutions and emerging technologies that are shaping the future of the industry.

Topics will include M&A trends and asset transactions, accelerating AI adoption in oil and gas operations, building the next generation workforce and developing decommissioning frameworks for ageing assets. By focusing on operational efficiency, technology deployment and workforce development, the Technical Track will provide valuable insights for companies looking to optimize performance and extend the life of Angola’s producing assets while preparing for the next generation of projects.

Roundtables Track

A strategic feature at AOG, the Roundtables Track will introduce a more interactive discussion format focused on some of the industry’s most complex and strategic issues. These sessions will bring together small groups of stakeholders for targeted discussions on ensuring global compliance, Angola’s licensing landscape, partnerships and the future of upstream development.

Additional topics will include resolving the dollar/kwanza conundrum, the role of local financial institutions in the oil and gas sector and strategies to strengthen collaboration between international investors and local companies. The introduction of the Roundtables Track reflects growing demand for more focused, solution-driven discussions that move beyond traditional conference formats and toward practical problem-solving and partnership building.

Additional Features: Pre-Conference

In addition to the main conference program, AOG 2026 will include a dedicated pre-conference agenda on September 8, setting the tone ahead of the main conference discussions. Pre-conference sessions will cover subsurface imaging and structural analysis, Angola’s fiscals in a global context and strategies for strengthening Angolan institutions.

Several industry-led workshops will also take place, with companies offering insights into the technologies, solutions and tools that are transforming Angola’s oil and gas sector. These sessions are designed to provide practical knowledge sharing while highlighting the role of technology and innovation in improving efficiency and supporting new project development.

With an expanded multi-track program and the introduction of the Roundtables Track, AOG 2026 continues to evolve into a platform designed to drive investment, strengthen partnerships and support the next phase of Angola’s oil and gas growth.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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Energy

Minister Ernesto Kesar Joins Caribbean Energy Week (CEW) 2026 as Trinidad and Tobago Accelerates Upstream Momentum

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The participation of Minister Ernesto Kesar at Caribbean Energy Week comes as the country advances new upstream projects, gas developments and regional energy cooperation

PARAMARIBO, Suriname, March 27, 2026/APO Group/ –Ernesto Kesar, Minister in the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries of Trinidad and Tobago, has officially joined the upcoming Caribbean Energy Week (CEW), reinforcing the country’s commitment to upstream growth at a time of renewed momentum in the oil and gas sector.

 

As the twin-island country advances new gas supply projects, encourages exploration and strengthens regional energy ties, Minister Kesar’s participation at CEW 2026 is expected to serve as a launchpad for strengthened regional ties.

Minister Kesar’s participation comes amid a multi-billion-dollar investment surge in Trinidad and Tobago as operators advance projects, regional energy ties and strategic partnerships. At the helm of these efforts, the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries continues to prioritize upstream investment, deepwater exploration and cross-border gas projects, positioning the country as a regional hub for natural gas production and LNG exports.

Recent milestones reflect this momentum, with several projects starting production and exploration kicking off across key basins. The bpTT-led Cypre gas project achieved first gas in April 2025, with peak production estimated at 45,000 barrels per day (bpd) – translating to around 250 million standard cubic feet of gas. The project comprised seven wells and will enhance the country’s overall export capacity. In partnership with EOG Resources, the company also started production at the Mento field in 2025, featuring a 12-slot, attended facility.

Looking ahead, bp’s Ginger gas development is on track for first gas production in 2027 following FID reached in 2025. With an expected capacity of 62,000 bpd, the project will feature four subsea wells tied back to the company’s existing Mahogany B platform. The company is also evaluating development options for its Frangipani exploration well which identified multiple stacked gas reservoirs in 2025. These initiatives will not only bring additional volumes online to support LNG exports and domestic capacity, but strengthen the country’s position as a regional hub for oil and gas.

Beyond projects, Trinidad and Tobago is advancing exploration efforts with a view to strengthen its reserves. The company awarded an ultra-deepwater exploration block to ExxonMobil in 2025, signaling the company’s return to the market after nearly two decades. The milestone not only paves the way for the development of Block TTUD-1, but opens the door to nearly $20 billion in potential investment. The move follows a 2025 licensing round launched by the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries in 2025, aligning with national goals of revitalizing exploration across deepwater margins.

On a regional front, Trinidad and Tobago is streamlining cross-border collaboration. The country recently secured a license from the United States authorizing oil and gas activities with Venezuela. The approval allows Trinidad-based companies to pursue cross-border gas developments, paving the way for Venezuela to feed new gas volumes into Trinidad and Tobago’s existing LNG and processing infrastructure. The move will not only sustain gas exports but accelerate long-delayed projects such as the Dragon gas field – situated near the maritime border of the two countries.

Trinidad and Tobago is also assessing options to restart the Pointe-a-Pierre refinery, which has been closed since 2018 following the restructuring of state-owned Petrotrin. The government is currently in talks with various partners as well as Guyana to reopen the facility. If brought back online successfully, the facility would support regional energy security efforts, highlighting a strategic opportunity for global and regional investors.

As upstream momentum continues to build, the upcoming CEW 2026 offers a strategic platform to advance dialogue on regional gas monetization, energy security and investment opportunities. Minister Kesar’s participation reflects Trinidad and Tobago’s commitment to strengthening Caribbean energy ties, paving the way for new collaborations and sustained investment.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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Business

China’s 15th Five-Year Plan: Charting Solutions in an Uncertain World

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CGTN’s special feature explores potential impacts of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan beyond its borders.
BEIJING, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 March 2026 – As policymakers and business leaders convene at the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference, one of the most closely watched gatherings on the global calendar, attention is turning to China’s national development blueprint: the 15th Five-Year Plan. Beijing’s latest development roadmap arrives at a critical moment, as the world is grappling with geopolitical tensions, economic fragmentation and climate change. With these challenges mounting, many international observers are exploring how this blueprint will shape future development trajectories within China and beyond.
Achim Steiner, former administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, regards green transition, which takes center stage in China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, as one of the defining economic shifts of the coming decades. He emphasizes that China’s leadership on renewable energy, ranging from solar panels to electric vehicles, have not only driven down global costs, but also turned technologies like EVs that were once considered “luxury and privilege” into accessible tools for people’s daily lives. He noted such a giant leap in green technology represents a frontline opportunity for transformation on the African continent, where over 600 million people still lack electricity. Steiner believes the green mindset adopted by Beijing will help many developing nations to avoid catastrophic fallout from climate change. And as certain western nations waver on climate commitments, China’s approach to addressing global warming, in contrast, provides a compelling model of a responsible nation, which suggests that green growth can be a policy priority and allow for win-win progress.

Mohd Faiz Abdullah, executive chairman of the Institute of Strategic and International Studies in Malaysia, situates China’s development strategy within a regional context. He says that the cooperation between China and ASEAN has been contributing to regional and global growth. He described the global economic status quo as “increasingly fragmented,” adding that the key challenge is “not to help one individual economy grow,” but to achieve shared and sustained prosperity “at regional and global levels.” Such a joint task requires shared responsibility in a variety of crucial areas covered in China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, including advanced manufacturing, green transition and technological upgrading. In his view, the development vision demonstrated in China’s 15th Five-Year Plan is not solely inward-looking, but also a domestic model that can convert to outward impact to the wider world. Abdullah also highlighted that China and ASEAN have already formed one of the world’s most dynamic economic partnerships, characterized by expanding investment flows and deepening integration. He believes that the continued implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership will ensure ASEAN and China can work together to achieve shared economic progress for the next decade.

Justin Yifu Lin, former chief economist for the World Bank, argues that while the global economy is mired in uncertainty and turbulence, China remains a rare source of stability, certainty and development momentum. Since about 2008, he noted, China has contributed roughly 30 percent of global growth, underscoring its role as a key engine of the world economy. Acknowledging that challenges are universal rather than unique to China, Lin stressed that what matters is the ability to recognize both constraints and opportunities, and to turn the latter into tangible growth. He pointed to China’s continued potential in technological innovation and industrial upgrading, supported by its large talent pool, vast domestic market, comprehensive manufacturing base and effective coordination between market forces and government policy. While external risks such as supply chain disruptions and trade tensions persist, alongside domestic pressures, including aging and regional development imbalance, Lin suggests China still holds significant growth potential, possibly around 8 percent per year through 2035, if these challenges are well managed.

In a world increasingly defined by uncertainty, China’s 15th Five-Year Plan is deemed as an important source of direction and momentum. As the country aims for a good start to its next five-year development period, seeking to advance modernization through high-quality development, major tasks still lie ahead.

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