Buyer numbers up in Singapore

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Tax Free World Association reported that registration figures for the first two days of the TFWA Asia Pacific exhibition reveal that 474 buyers have visited the show to date, 5% more than at the same stage last year

The number of agents has risen by 17% compared to 2001, with a total of 540 already recorded at the exhibition. 

TFWA Asia Pacific, which was opened officially on Tuesday by Raymond Lim, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Industry in Singapore, has so far welcomed a total of nearly 1,330 visitors from 679 companies.

Buyer companies from Asia constitute 71% of the total, with 87 key buyers and agents from Japan compared to 74 last year and 40 from China, including a large delegation from the China Duty Free Group.

Included in the total of 134 buyers and agents from Korea are senior representatives from KNTO, the new SKM Duty Free shop, Asiana Airlines and AK Duty Free.

Joining the Taiwan delegation are executives from Eva Airways, China Airlines, Transasia Airways, Tasa Meng Corporation, Mandarin Airlines and Gold Field Perfumes and Cosmetics.

A large group of nearly 100 buyers and agents travelled from Hong Kong including Cathay Pacific, Nuance-Watson, Sky Connections, DFS Trading HK, China Power Duty Free and Hong Kong International airport.

TFWA ceo Andrew Ford commented: "TFWA Management has spoken to all the exhibitors and they report that business has got off to a great start. If the week carries on like this, we will be reporting a very pleasing result for TFWA Asia Pacific 2002."