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Following is the speech by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Gregory So, at Hong Kong Design Centre Annual Awards Gala Dinner today (December 2):
Victor (Lo) [Chairman of Hong Kong Design Centre], distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
I am delighted to join you all for the Hong Kong Design Centre Annual Awards Gala Dinner.
First and foremost, congratulations to all the Award winners.
Your designs have inspired and excited the judges. I am sure they will also impress our guests from the Mainland and overseas.
On that note, I would also like to warmly welcome all our visitors to Hong Kong. Thank you for adding to the international dimension of Business of Design Week - and a special "thank you" to our friends from Germany, this year's partner country.
Among the various creative industries in Hong Kong, design is one of the fastest-growing sectors. The value-added of the design sector to Hong Kong's GDP has more than doubled from $1 billion in 2005 to $2.3 billion in 2009. The number of people engaged in our design industry also increased from some 8 500 to 11 300 during the same period. The fast-growing market in the Mainland and Hong Kong's vibrancy and creativity underpin the growth of this sector as well as its future potential.
Hong Kong Design Centre spares no effort in promoting design and enhancing the status of our city as a regional centre of design excellence.
The SAR Government is committed to nurturing the design sector and all creative industries. We firmly believe that the "designed in Hong Kong" label contributes to the competitiveness of our companies and our economy.
We are encouraging the manufacturing and service sectors to make more and better use of our design talent and resources. This would be a great way for them to add value to their products, services and business processes.
Here, the Government and Hong Kong Design Centre work hand-in-hand as strategic partners in promoting the design sector.
In his Policy Address in October, the Chief Executive proposed additional resources that will enhance the work of Hong Kong Design Centre. We have also designated 2012 as "Hong Kong Design Year". This will include a range of design-related events and programmes that connect with our community and with our visitors.
"Hong Kong Design Year" will showcase Hong Kong's strengths as a regional design hub, foster the community's interest in design and celebrate design excellence and talent in Hong Kong. So please put your designing caps on and become a part of this exciting promotion.
Ladies and gentlemen, the Hong Kong Design Centre Awards enjoy its own branding success. Each year the Awards attract more interest from the local community and from around our region. They also help to raise the bar for your designers.
Each year, the Awards programme introduces us to innovative designs from Hong Kong and around the world as well as new and exciting designers and leaders in the design industry.
This year, a new Lifetime Achievement Award has been added to the programme. And I for one am keen to congratulate the first recipient whose name is going to be announced in a few minutes.
Finally, I wish you all a very enjoyable and fruitful Business of Design Week 2011 and our visitors a great stay in Hong Kong.
Thank you.
Ends/Friday, December 2, 2011
Issued at HKT 20:15
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