Press Releases
Silver Hair Market Fair opens (with photo)
The Silver Hair Market Fair Exhibition, jointly organised by the Health, Welfare
and Food Bureau (HWFB) and the Elderly Commission (EC), opened today (November
18) displaying products, technology and services that are tailor-made to meet
the needs of the elderly.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr
York Chow, said the elderly of Hong Kong had surpassed those of the previous
generation in terms of education, wealth and health and had higher expectations
for the quality of life. This had created a huge consumer market and business
opportunities, he said.
Many business and social welfare organisations are participating in the
exhibition, which could help the elderly to lead an active life and at the same
time provide a platform for business sectors to promote the concept of an
elderly consumer market, Dr Chow said.
The EC Chairman, Dr Leong Che-hung, said the exhibition aimed to bring about a
win-win situation for both the elderly and business sector. It could introduce
to the elderly products or services that might be suitable for them. It could
also encourage and promote business opportunities of the "silver hair" market as
well as work for the betterment of the lives of the elderly.
Dr Leong added that the exhibits were mainly related to the daily living of the
elderly, with a view to enabling them to grow old in the community, living with
their offspring and enjoying an active and healthy golden age.
Held at the Special Exhibition Hall of the Hong Kong Science Museum, the two-day
exhibition was open to the public. It will be open today until 6pm and from 10am
to 6pm tomorrow (November 19). A total of 19 exhibitors took part in the
exhibition showcasing new products and services suitable for the elderly around
the themes of clothing, eating, living and mobility.
With the continuous ageing trend, the elderly consumer market had gradually
attracted greater attention. Although the elderly consumer market in Hong Kong
was expected to keep expanding, only limited choices of elderly goods or
services are available, with relatively few catering for the specific
requirements of the elderly.
In view of this, the HWFB and the EC jointly organised the fair to introduce to
the elderly, their carers and various service organisations' the products or
services that catered for the needs of the elderly. It also served to establish
a network with all business organisations, including small and medium
enterprises, to promote the Silver Hair Market concept.
Also, the HWFB and the EC held a seminar this afternoon entitled "Ageing in the
Community" to explore how to further help the elderly age at home.
EC Chairman, Dr Leong Che-hung, and the Permanent Secretary for Health, Welfare
and Food (Health and Welfare), Ms Sandra Lee, officiated at the seminar, which
featured three overseas experts from Australia, the United Kingdom and Sweden as
speakers and was attended by over 120 key personnel from the local elderly
service sector, professionals, academics and experts.
Ends/Saturday, November 18, 2006
Issued at HKT 15:01
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(Photo)