Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, at the 25th anniversary gala dinner of Hong Kong Institute of Marketing at BP International House, Tsim Sha Tsui this evening (November 22):

     Mr Yim (Chairman of HKIM), Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

     Good evening.

     I am delighted to join you on the occasion of your 25th Anniversary Gala Dinner. I am also pleased to see so many prominent marketing professionals from around the region here for the inauguration of the Asia Marketing Federation. A particularly warm welcome to Mr Hermawan Kartajaya and Professor Kam Lagoda.

     Over the past 25 years, the Hong Kong Institute of Marketing has been at the forefront of efforts in promoting marketing excellence and professionalism. This has helped to lay a solid foundation for the industry to thrive in this city. I congratulate the Institute on its many successes over the years.

     Our marketing professionals have played an important part in effectively communicating our innovations and creative ideas to the outside world. This has been crucial to Hong Kong's successful transformation from a manufacturing base to a global trading and financial centre over the past quarter of a century.

     Effective marketing strategies have benefited our producers, traders and consumers. They have helped to keep our economic growth on the front burner and contribute to lifestyle improvements. Key to this success has been the profession's acumen and ability to adapt and innovate. You have been quick to capitalise on opportunities in the Mainland market.

     A case in point is our free trade agreement with the Mainland, the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement or CEPA. Our figures at end-September this year show that 83 Service Supplier Certificates have been issued to Advertising Services companies. It is worth remembering that under CEPA, local companies as well as foreign enterprises incorporated in Hong Kong can establish wholly-owned advertising firms in the Mainland.

     Other sectors that enjoy WTO-plus access to the Mainland market under CEPA include market research, event organisation and professional consultancy.

     Our marketing experts have also been quick to apply information technology and exploit its potential. And quick too teaming up with regional partners to share experiences. To remain adaptive and innovative, the profession will need strong leadership and constant upgrading. Your Institute has an important role to play in this regard.

     Equally important is an injection of new blood into the profession. The Institute's Young Marketing Communicators Award is a good way of giving fresh talents a taste of the marketing industry. The participants benefit not only from the experience of working on their competition entries, but also from mingling with seasoned professionals in the training activities. I am sure our marketing leaders will be eager to get them on board!
 
     We also welcome new talents from overseas to come and join our marketing sector and help boost our competitiveness in this globalised world. We are currently modifying our admission of talents scheme so that more people can apply to come to Hong Kong to live and work and contribute to our vibrant and cosmopolitan society.
 
     Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a busy year ahead of us with Beijing hosting the 2008 Olympic Games and Hong Kong staging the Olympic Equestrian events. It promises to be an exciting time. I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate the Institute on its Silver Jubilee and wish you many more successful years to come. To our guests from overseas, I wish you an enjoyable stay in Hong Kong. Shop a lot.

     Thank you.

Ends/Thursday, November 22, 2007
Issued at HKT 20:48

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