Can HK September survive protest & violence?
Now the August is ending swiftly & trade is looking at Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair 2019 which is scheduled yet to run during September 16 to 20 at AsiaWorld-Expo & from September 18 to 22 at Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre.
In their official version they are keeping their chin up & say: “Let’s get ready for the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair!”
According to the organisers, there are numbers of favourable too! They are looking at silver lines! They counts,
1: the airport is operating normally, 2: they are creating a platform for dialogue, 3: just concluded The HKTDC Food Expo that held during 13 to 17 August attracted 2,100 exhibitors and drew nearly 450,000 visitors. & 4: NO change in the insurance policy in relation to the public incidents in Hong Kong.
Yet fears if the show could survive the protest & environment of volatility may extend to violence. Yet they accepts reality that, “the travel alert level for Hong Kong, where business is running as usual” with their defence line.
Highlighting uncertainty they say, “Rumours about the fair’s alleged cancellation/postponement have in fact resulted in increased interest on the show’s exhibitor profile and contents.” “As of today, many delegations have already reconfirmed their attendance, including groups from Poland, Vietnam, South America, Russia and China, to name a few” by showing courageous gestures!
On the other hand hard facts are:
1: according to media report & now it is in public domain that about two millions folks had protested on August 18, mob had activated violent, police pressure had been hike up!
2: Yet they argue that August 25, protest remained a cool-n-peaceful. Yet they are not considering that about 1mn or more people are likely to join a protest march on August 31.
3: Keen observers believe that the chances to see an end of protest are truly a half. Depends on numbers of factor! And it is true that the global leaders association of gem-n-jewellery trade & industry have expressed their concerns & watching with keen eyes!
4: Three major trade bodies have asked the organizer of the Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair to delay the show until the political climate stabilizes. “Currently 30% to 40% of the exhibitors are demanding to cancel [their] participation regardless of whether the situation improves,” says Rapaport despite the show organiser’s claim!
5: In the row of global trade associations view, “Hong Kong banks published on August 22, a full-page newspaper ads calling for law and order in the Chinese-ruled city and international jewelers sought the rescheduling of a huge trade fair as weeks of pro-democracy protests showed no sign of let-up” says Reuters.
6: Apart from any other view, general view of jewellers says, our business requires peace & ensured environment for trade! The real argument is why I should take higher risk despite knowing the situation! What really I would gain? It is better to keep watch the situations & to remain a ready to review HK Show!
