Hong Kong: carving out a new chapter in business events. Photo Credit: Adobe stock/karsty
Hong Kong has released a new blueprint for its future development.
This was announced by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s
chief executive, John Lee, who delivered the 2023 Policy Address last
week.
He stated that the government will leverage Hong Kong’s advantages in
professional services to develop the city into a regional intellectual
property (IP) trading centre and promote the development of the
convention and exhibition (C&E) industry. Expanding C&E
facilities and raising C&E space will play a pivotal role in
reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as an international C&E as well as
trade hub.
Welcoming this new initiative is the Hong Kong Trade Development
Council (HKTDC), a statutory body established in 1966 to promote and
develop Hong Kong's trade. With 50 offices globally, including 13 in
Mainland China, the HKTDC organises international exhibitions,
conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for
companies, particularly SMEs, in the mainland and international markets.
The HKTDC will commission a consulting firm to conduct research on IP
trading of Hong Kong’s creative industries and optimise its Asia IP
Exchange (AsiaIPEX) and further promote IP-related cooperation.
The HKTDC will also enhance major international IP events, such as
the Business of Intellectual Property Asia Forum, Hong Kong Book Fair,
Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART) and Hong Kong
International Licensing Show, by working with industry players to offer
business matching activities and professional services. It aims to help
businesses produce local original works to tap into Mainland China and
international markets.
Peter K N Lam, chairman of the HKTDC, said, “The Policy Address
highlights a diversity of forward-looking and innovative measures across
key areas, such as economic growth, business and investment attraction,
infrastructure planning, and the development of the cultural and
creative sectors.
The plan aims to help Hong Kong leverage its strengths and to
integrate these into national development, while creating “strong
impetus for economic growth and enhance its competitiveness”.
Silver economy events
The HKTDC will incorporate more silver economy elements into its
business platform, such as the Asia Summit on Global Health, Hong Kong
Electronics Fair (Spring and Autumn) and Hong Kong International Medical
and Healthcare Fair, to enhance the promotion of relevant products and
services, help enterprises tap into the market and strengthen Hong
Kong’s role as an international trade hub.
More funds for creative industry
The creative industry remains a driving force for Hong Kong's
economic growth and the Council will inject more funds into the Film
Development Fund and CreateSmart initiative, launching the Filming
Financing Scheme and Hong Kong-Europe-Asian Film Collaboration Funding
Scheme and increasing cultural exchanges.
Lam added: “The HKTDC will continue to align with national
development and collaborate with our various partners to jointly promote
the economic development of Hong Kong and share Hong Kong’s stories and
successes with the world.”