"The Spanish toy sector has for many years maintained a clear commitment to internationalization" | Key4Communications |

The Hong Kong Trade Promotion Council, Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), celebrates its 50th anniversary as an international trade support body. Also, 50 years of its first commercial promotion action in Spain have been celebrated and, since then, marketing and communication actions have been carried out in Barcelona with the aim of facilitating relations between the business communities of both areas. On the occasion of this date for the HKTDC, in the last edition of the year of the magazine Juguetes Express, we published an interview with Virginia Seoane, marketing manager for Spain and Portugal of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. Below is an excerpt from the interview that can be found in the last issue num. 60 of November of the magazine Juguetes Express.

- How has HKTDC been adapted to the economic evolution and the business fabric?
- The HKTDC is a body whose main goal is to help companies to do business through the Hong Kong platform. While thirty years ago we helped Western companies to relocate their production in China, we now have a double task: on the one hand, to help Western companies introduce their products into mainland China, and on the other hand, to help Companies in China to channel their investments abroad. Our extensive network of offices around the world helps us locate the right connections for companies using our platform. Currently, we have 46 offices around the world; 11 in Europe, 13 in mainland China and 24 in Asia.

- How will you celebrate and promote this 50TH anniversary?
- Our anniversary celebrations started last May in Hong Kong and will last until the end of the year. With the motto "Golden Jubilee - Golden Partnerships", the aim is to ensure that entrepreneurship is transmitted from generation to generation.

- What news will we find in the 2017 edition of HK Toys & Games Fair?
- Next year, from 9th to 12th January, we will be holding the 43rd edition of the Hong Kong Toy Fair, the 8th edition of the Childcare Fair, the 6th Conference on Licensing in Asia and the 15th edition of the Hong Kong Licenses. That is, we have extensive experience organizing child-related fairs and licensing. Hong Kong Toys & Games will next year have two new Pet Toys Zone and Fireworks Zone, which have seen increased demand in recent years. In addition, in the area dedicated to technology products, "Smart-Tech Toys Zone" will highlight baby products from one to two years, and in the "Kidult World" area for adults, will include innovative toys that incorporate features such as Virtual Reality (RV) and Augmented Reality (RA). In addition, visitors will be able to fly drones or test their skills on the hover boards. I am pleased to note the participation of Toys From Spain by AEFJ for many years and that in the 2016 edition was attended by 24 Spanish companies.

- How do you assess the evolution of these sectors in the Spanish market as well as in Southeast Asia?
- The Spanish toy sector has for many years maintained a clear commitment to internationalization. According to the AEFJ, 40% of the turnover of Spanish companies is destined for export. And for me, the Spanish companies of the sector have been pioneers in Spain in its expansion in Asia, and specifically in China. I believe that they are the most prepared to deal with the changes arising from the new Chinese policy that authorizes married couples to have two children as well as the habits of the new millenial consumers in China.