Innovative Payment Solution Debuts at Hong Kong International Jewellery Show
March 5, 2013 - Visa and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) have expanded their cooperation to provide exhibitors with a new mobile point-of-sale (mPOS) solution at the HKTDC Hong Kong International Jewellery Show.
The innovative payment solution will be introduced to more than 3,300 exhibitors attending Asia’s largest spring jewellery show, March 5-9, 2013. It works on iOS or Android smartphones or tablets, which are converted into secure point-of-sale devices using an inexpensive plug-in card reader.
Secure Sales
The mPOS solution can be deployed in nearly any location, providing exhibitors a secure and convenient way to accept payment cards from buyers for sample orders during the show. Operating efficiency is also enhanced as the solution reduces the risks of handling cash and makes it easier to track transactions during the show.
As with traditional card payments, the mPOS device employs robust security measures, with all account information encrypted using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology and stored on secure servers.
“As an exhibitor at the jewellery show, the mPOS device is convenient and safe for sample selling on-site,” said Kenneth Cheung, Edelweiss Jewellery Company Ltd, who expected it to be helpful in closing business deals at other marketing events. “The mPOS payment solutions have made my business more efficient and productive,” he said.
Strong Visa-HKTDC Partnership
Introducing the mPOS solution at the HKTDC Hong Kong International Jewellery Show is the latest move by Visa and the HKTDC to strengthen Hong Kong’s role as a regional meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) hub.
Tom Tobin, Country Manager, Visa Hong Kong and Macau, said events like the Jewellery Show are ideally suited to the benefits mPOS brings.
“Visa’s collaboration with the HKTDC provides the MICE market with greater payment choices in a secure environment,” said Mr Tobin. “The mPOS solution is ideal for international exhibitors and buyers at trade shows for sample selling and small-order transactions, as it removes the hassles of handling cash or using wire transfers and cheques on the road.”
As one of the world's major trade fair organisers, the HKTDC stages more than 30 international trade fairs annually in Hong Kong. Nine of these are the biggest events of their kind in Asia, and three are the largest in the world.
From April 2011 to March 2012, the HKTDC fairs brought more than 675,000 buyers to the Hong Kong business platform to connect with 32,774 exhibitors. The buyer number was up nearly three percent over the previous year, while 16 fairs set new exhibitor attendance highs.
“Hong Kong’s world class exhibition facilities, together with payment tools such as mPOS, make it easier for both local companies and international visitors to do business,” said Benjamin Chau, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC.
“They also play an important role in building Hong Kong’s competitiveness as a MICE hub,” said Mr Chau. “The mPOS solution further demonstrates HKTDC and Visa’s concerted efforts to raise the bar when it comes to empowering businesses with the latest payment solution.”
Visa and HKTDC have worked together since 2008 to offer local SMEs integrated marketing services and cost-effective payment solutions to help them connect with millions of international buyers, better manage their cash flow and streamline their business processes.
They previously collaborated on the Visa Commercial Directory online application and payment platform. The directory at www.visacommercial.com.hk has created business opportunities for Hong Kong-based SMEs by allowing Visa cardholders to conveniently purchase goods and services from more than 3,000 local suppliers. It also provides discounts which offer savings to cardholders.
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About Visa
Visa is a global payments technology company that connects consumers, businesses, financial institutions and governments in more than 200 countries and territories to fast, secure and reliable electronic payments. We operate one of the world’s most advanced processing networks—VisaNet—that is capable of handling more than 24,000 transaction messages a second, with fraud protection for consumers and assured payment for merchants. Visa is not a bank and does not issue cards, extend credit or set rates and fees for consumers. Visa’s innovations, however, enable its financial institution customers to offer consumers more choices: pay now with debit, ahead of time with prepaid or later with credit products. For more information, visit www.corporate.visa.com.
About the HKTDC
A statutory body established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based traders, manufacturers and service providers. With more than 40 global offices, including 11 on the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China and throughout Asia. The HKTDC also organises trade fairs and business missions to connect companies with opportunities in Hong Kong and on the mainland, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and online. For more information, please visit www.hktdc.com.
Media Contacts:
Visa:
Edelman Hong Kong
Will Ip
Tel: +852 2837 4712
Email: will.ip@edelman.com
Edelman Hong Kong
Ruby Hung
Tel.: +852 2837 4775
Email: ruby.hung@edelman.com
The HKTDC's Corporate Communication Department:
Joe Kainz
Tel: +852 2584 4216
Email: joe.kainz@hktdc.org