(Source: Hong Kong Brand Development Forum 2007)
The Hong Kong Brand Development Council (BDC) and the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong (CMA) jointly organized the “Hong Kong Brand Development Forum” at JW Marriott Hotel on 4 July 2007. With the theme of “Building Up Our Brands, Shining Up Hong Kong”, the Forum aimed to showcase Hong Kong’s enviable achievements in branding and to provide a platform for the Government, industries, professionals and the academia to discuss on the way forward and strategies for Hong Kong brands in the future.
Miss Yvonne Choi, Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Commerce, Industry and Tourism) delivered a keynote speech entitled “From Made in Hong Kong to Created by Hong Kong”. In the speech, she expressed that Hong Kong was a place conducive to brand development in terms of both internal and external circumstances. Internally, Hong Kong boasts a number of world-class infrastructures, a thriving business environment, and a well-established institution of law and policy. Besides, Hong Kong is reputed worldwide for its free trade policy and low tax rate, and is committed to nurturing talents of all sectors. Externally, Hong Kong has benefited from the National 11th Five Year Plan, the implementation of CEPA, and the booming consumer market in the Mainland. All these are positive factors that are expedient for brand development.
Miss Choi added that developing successful brands in Hong Kong required the concerted efforts by all sides. In light of this, the HKSAR government has implemented a number of measures, such as the establishment of an Innovation and Technology Fund, five research and development centers, and the DesignSmart Initiative. As to marketing and promotion, the SME Export Marketing Fund of the Trade and Industry Department has subsidized qualified small and medium enterprises to help them participate in export marketing activities. Regarding product promotions, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council has actively uplifted the image and status of Hong Kong products in the global market. Aside from the HKSAR government, many industrial and commercial associations have strived to boost the development of domestic brands. For example, every year, the Hong Kong Brand Development Council holds the “Hong Kong Top Brand Awards” and the “Hong Kong Top Service Brand Awards”. Moreover, many exhibitions also aim to promote Hong Kong brand name products, such as the Hong Kong Brands & Products Expos held in Hong Kong and the Mainland by the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong.
(Appendix: Chinese version of “From Made in Hong Kong to Created by Hong Kong”, Speech of Miss Yvonne Choi, Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development at the “Hong Kong Brand Development Forum 2007”)
