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Karen Jackman

Despite challenging economic times across the globe, the building materials market is booming, with exports climbing  14 per cent during the first half of this year alone, says the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).
This sets the scene for a bumper HKTDC Hong Kong International Building and Decoration Materials & Hardware Fair taking place this week and  around 150  exhibitors from around the world are expected to attend.
Running for its sixth year, the fair takes place from  tomorrow until Saturday at AsiaWorld-Expo. 
'This fair is the ideal sourcing platform for the full range of building, decoration materials and hardware,' an exhibition spokesman says.
Some of the big-name exhibitors include Kawajun, Excellence Holdings, Bona Far East & Pacific, Interwood International,  Bella Stone Company  and Shenzhen KingLight Household Products.   
Japanese hardware firm Kawajun has added a sleek shelving collection to its catalogue, Kawajun Shelf, among its other innovative designs.
'We are fully committed to keeping the exceptionally high quality of our products and diligently researching in many areas, from finishing colour control to development of new colours,' a spokesman says.
Visitors and potential buyers will also get a chance to view German company Emco Bau's  high quality bathroom accessories. 
The company develops and manufactures bathroom accessories 'that are more than just accessories. We set highlights in bathrooms that combine functionality and aesthetics'. 
First-time pavilions will host Jiangmen and Xiamen from the mainland. In addition,  the fair features a  speciality highlight, the World of Kitchen & Bath, which focuses on extending high-quality designs and fittings from the rest of the home into the bathroom and kitchen. 
In this zone, traders will find cabinets, countertops, flooring and sanitary ware, from the most basic and functional, to the most extravagant and colourful.
A seminar called  'Design Trends on Kitchen & Bath Hardware' will be held tomorrow  from 3.30pm. 
Guest speakers are Daniele Prosdocimo, who represents Italy's top kitchen design brand VALCUCINE,  and Sidney Cheung, general manager, K&B, northeast Asia, KOHLER  Asia-Pacific.  
The fair's Green Building Zone focuses this year on the growing market demand for eco-friendly building materials and hardware products. 
The section brings together furnishings and fittings, materials and hardware, and flooring, water-handling equipment, devices and appliances. 
It is also a showcase for green design through energy saving, water conservation and recycled materials.
Dr Eric Sze, senior accreditation officer, Hong Kong Accreditation Service, and Dr Thomas Tang,  director, corporate sustainability and initiatives, Asia, AECOM, will be guest speakers at a  seminar on 'Green Building Standards & Certifications' to be held tomorrow.  
A highlight  is the conference on Latest Building Design Trends and the Application of Green Building Materials, to be held on Friday.



Business is booming