First Participation Concludes with International Distribution Agreement, New Book Launch, and Youth Dialogue
Through its virtual office in China, TRENDS Research & Advisory concluded a highly successful first participation in the Hong Kong Book Fair 2026, leaving a distinctive global knowledge footprint that reflected its vision of advancing knowledge production and expanding its international network of strategic partnerships.
Throughout the fair, the TRENDS pavilion, led by Rawdha Al-Marzooqi, Head of the Distribution and Exhibitions Sector, and Warda Al-Menhali, Head of the Organizational Communication Sector, attracted strong interest from visitors and researchers alike. The pavilion showcased more than 500 research publications, including the latest edition of “Labor Markets in the Age of AI”.
Strategic Partnerships and Expansion into Asia
On the sidelines of the fair, TRENDS achieved an important strategic milestone in strengthening its presence across Asia. Its Distribution and Exhibitions Sector signed a distribution agreement with China Publishing Services (CPS) to expand the reach of TRENDS’ publications to a broader community of readers and researchers across China and the wider Asian region, further advancing the center’s global mission of knowledge dissemination.
Strong Official and Public Engagement
The TRENDS pavilion attracted significant official and diplomatic interest, welcoming a high-level delegation from the Hong Kong Legislative Council and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). The delegation included Starry Lee Wai-king, President of the Legislative Council, together with Legislative Council members Dr. Elvin Lee Ka-kui, Ken Lee Kwong-yu, Augustine Wong Ho-ming, and Judy Chan Kapui, as well as Sophia Chong, Executive Director of the HKTDC, and Smilely Lam, Assistant Executive Director. During the visit, the delegation explored TRENDS’ knowledge initiatives and commended its role in promoting global dialogue.
The pavilion also welcomed a distinguished international delegation of copyright and intellectual property rights experts, including Dr. Sharon Yin Yue Wong, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Reprographic Rights Licensing Society (HKRRLS), accompanied by H.E. Rashid Al-Kous, Executive Director of the Emirates Publishers Association. The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in publishing and intellectual property. The delegation also included James Bennett of the UK’s Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA), along with senior executives representing leading intellectual property organizations from Norway, Malaysia, and the UAE, the Emirates Reprographic Rights Management Association (ERRA), and the International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organisations (IFRRO).
Empowering Youth in the Digital Age
As part of its commitment to fostering global youth dialogue, TRENDS Global, in collaboration with the TRENDS Youth Council, organized a youth panel discussion titled “Preserving Cultural Legacy in the Digital Age: How Young People Are Redefining Heritage.” The session brought together young participants from the Islamic Cultural Association of Hong Kong and local youth representatives to explore how emerging technologies and innovation can help preserve and revitalize cultural heritage while enhancing its global reach. The discussion underscored TRENDS’ commitment to amplifying young voices and transforming their ideas into knowledge that addresses the challenges of the future.
Rawdha Al-Marzooqi, Head of the Distribution and Exhibitions Sector at TRENDS, said that the remarkable success of the center’s first participation in the Hong Kong Book Fair reflects the distinguished position TRENDS has established as a bridge for knowledge exchange between the region and the world. She added: “Signing the distribution agreement with China Publishing Services (CPS) marks an important strategic milestone in our expansion across Asia, enabling us to bring our rigorous research output and knowledge-driven discussions to Chinese researchers and academic institutions.”
Al Marzooqi concluded: “The strong visitor turnout, high-level official visits, and dynamic youth dialogue demonstrated that research and innovation are universal languages for shaping the future. We remain committed to strengthening our global engagement and expanding our contribution to the international knowledge ecosystem.”
