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Following is the full text of the speech by the Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, Mr Henry Tang, at the Opening Ceremony of the Hong Kong Electronics Fair, electronicAsia, and Hong Kong International Lighting Fair 2002 today (October 11): (English only)

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

I am very pleased to join you at the opening of the Hong Kong Electronics Fair, electronicAsia, and Hong Kong International Lighting Fair 2002.

As an ex-businessman coming from the electronics industry myself, the Hong Kong Electronics Fair and electronicAsia hold a special meaning for me, and I have always been among their faithful supporters. With an extremely wide range of products proudly presented by exhibitors from all over the world, these fairs are very powerful vehicles to drive the growth of the electronics industry, in respect of product design and marketing.

I can fully appreciate that competition in the electronics industry is always keen, in both the global and regional sense. The life cycles of electronics products are getting shorter and shorter. Hong Kong electronics manufacturers, and their counterparts around the world, must strive to add value to their products through better designs, enhanced functions, competitive pricing, and quick response. Success will belong to those who can harness the power of innovation and technology, grasp changing trends, and capture new markets as they emerge.

In Hong Kong, the electronics industry has come a long way to become our largest merchandise export industry. The Government will continue to support the industry through infrastructure enhancement, the promotional efforts of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the Productivity Council's programmes on productivity enhancement, and vigorous enforcement against intellectual property rights infringement. The Hong Kong Design Centre that was opened last month will be able to render professional advice to manufacturers in developing original and creative designs.

With these remarks, I declare the Hong Kong Electronics Fair, electronicAsia and Hong Kong International Lighting Fair 2002 open. I wish all of you good business and a fruitful exchange.

Thank you.

End/Friday, October 11, 2002

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