President’s Message

Ms. Michelle Ng

President

Hong Kong Optical Manufacturers Association

Welcome to HKOMA Annual Directory (issue 2026).

It is my great pleasure to be elected as the 24th President of HKOMA. I would like to share my views on the future development of Hong Kong Optical Industry. Currently, the industry is facing the most challenging operating environment.

Hong Kong eyewear manufacturing industry has gone through more than half a century, and its visibility in the global market is increasing day by day. This is an obviuos result of colleagues in the industry. According to the source of the Census and Statistics Department of Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Hong Kong was the world’s third largest exporter of spectacles and frames in 2023, after Chinese mainland and Italy. In Jan-May 2025, Hong Kong’s total exports of spectacles, lenses and frames increased by 6% year-on-year to HK$9.0 billion. Hong Kong’s two largest markets are the EU27, which saw sales grow by 7% and the US, with sales down 3%, together account for more than 50% of the total. Exports to Chinese mainland, the third largest export destination, also rose significantly by 29% year-on-year in the same period.

In recent years, the global economy has been continuously affected by US tariffs, resulting in a turbulent and uncertain trade environment. These tariff policies have not only seriously disrupted Sino-US trade relations, but also caused widespread impact on global supply chains, exacerbating operational uncertainties in production and logistics fields. Some Hong Kong manufacturers have adopted a forward-looking strategy a few years ago, established overseas production bases, and actively leveraged network synergies to flexibly allocate capacity to respond to market dynamics. They also regularly review the operating costs of all production facilities and implements targeted cost optimization measures from many aspects, hoping to maximize operational effi ciency and enhance the overall resilience of enterprises in the ever-changing trade environment.

During the next two years of my term, I will lead the team of HKOMA Executive Committee to continue the mission of the Association, to fully promote unity and collaboration among our members, promote breakthroughs in upgrading design and technical capabilities, add value to products and services, and further enhance industry effi ciency and market competitiveness. At present, the rapid development of new technologies such as artificial intelligence(AI), the eyewear industry must proactively embrace change – AI can not only significantly improve production effi ciency, but also provide creative solutions in the design stage; we will seize these technological opportunities and deeply integrate them into our business strategies to strengthen our competitive advantages in the industry.

Under the influence of the geopolitical situation and weak traditional markets, the international business environment is complex and changeable, and export manufacturing is facing considerable pressure. However, we are still full of confidence in the prospects of the industry. The demand for eyewear products in the global market is still huge. HKOMA will continue to communicate closely and deepen cooperation with relevant departments of the Hong Kong SAR Government, universities and colleges, as well as eyewear industry groups in the mainland and overseas, to strive for a better business environment for the industry. At the same time, we must close the cohesion of the industry, achieve inheritance and nurture the backward, aiming to create a new milestone for the Hong Kong eyewear industry.