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Following is the full text of a speech by the Secretary for Information Technology and Broadcasting, Mr K C Kwong at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong International Film Market today (Wednesday):

Dr Fung, Mr Chow, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

It gives me great pleasure to welcome delegates and exhibitors again to the second Hong Kong International Film Market. Thanks to the good work of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, which laid the foundation for the Filmart by organising the inaugural exhibition at around the same time last year, we will be seeing a greater number of participants and a much more diverse range of film-related products and television programmes this year.

This year's Filmart is of particular significance because it is being held for the first time in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China.

The transition has successfully taken place and we are now coming up to the first anniversary of our reunification with the motherland. But apart from that most significant change, those of you who have visited Hong Kong before will be able to testify that not much else has changed. Hong Kong is still as dynamic and as open as ever. Our 6.5 million people continue to enjoy the freedoms of speech and of the press. Our film-makers and film distributors continue to make and show films of their liking and choice.

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region attaches great importance to maintaining a thriving film industry. To this end, we have introduced a package of measures to promote the further development of film industry. This includes the establishment of a Film Services Office in April to provide, at one stop, information on how to go about film production in Hong Kong and where to look for post-production services. Also, we are working in parallel to simplify government procedures by cutting bureaucratic red-tapes and making it easier for film crews to obtain the necessary approvals to do location shooting. And on top of making Hong Kong a user and business-friendly place to do filming, we are working hard to nurture the continuing growth of the film industry by giving it the maximum support. To this end, we have set up a Film Services Advisory Committee which comprises leading personalities from the film industry and other supporting organisations like the Hong Kong Trade Development Council as well as Government departments. Work hand-in-hand, we will ensure that we will revitalise Hong Kong as a film production and distribution centre.

Ladies and gentlemen, in the next few days, you will be viewing an extensive collection of dreams-come-true. It is this crystallisation of the imagination which makes cinema-going such a pleasure for movie lovers. May I wish all exhibitors and buyers a happy and profitable stay in Hong Kong!

End/Wednesday, June 24, 1998

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