************************************************************
Following is a speech by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Gregory So, at the joint opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Toys and Games Fair 2012, the Hong Kong Baby Products Fair 2012, and the Hong Kong International Licensing Show 2012 today (January 9):
Fred (Lam), TS (Wong), Mr Zhao (Haisheng), distinguished guests, ladies and gentleman,
Good morning. It is my great pleasure to be here at the Joint Opening Ceremony of the Hong Kong Toys and Games Fair, the Hong Kong Baby Products Fair, and the Hong Kong International Licensing Show 2012.
Running into its 38th anniversary this year, the Hong Kong Toys and Games Fair has become the largest fair of its kind in Asia. This year, the Fair is held concurrently with the Hong Kong Baby Products Fair and the Hong Kong International Licensing Show, making them one of the highlight mega events of the Trade Development Council (TDC). The toys, games and baby products industries have always been working closely with the licensing industry. The trade may obtain user rights of famous brands, icons, characters of anime-manga and films through licensing and adopt these in the design of their products. With attractive licensed properties adopted, the products can attract more customers and enjoy a better edge to tap into new markets. On this, I must applaud the TDC's thoughtfulness for staging these three events together to achieve greater synergy. The three fairs have successfully attracted over 2,400 exhibitors. They provide an excellent platform for manufacturers to showcase their products, and for buyers from around the globe to source our extensive range of creative, high-quality products.
Hong Kong's toy industry has been exporting fun to every corner of the world for over six decades. Our products range from the more traditional toy cars, robots and dolls to the latest electronic gadgets. In 2009, Hong Kong ranked as the second largest exporter of toys and games in the world. From January to November in 2011, our total toy exports amounted to HK$74.1 billion. The toys and games industry has no doubt made significant contribution to Hong Kong's economic development.
Apart from the toy industry, the baby products industry is growing fast as well. Baby products, such as baby furniture, clothing and shoes, strollers, and baby toys, are carefully designed to best suit infants' most intimate and delicate needs. With the vast potential of baby products market, the TDC is holding the Hong Kong Baby Products Fair for the third time. This fair has enabled Hong Kong suppliers to explore new market opportunities, especially the enormous Chinese mainland market where the growing affluent middle class are yearning for products of higher quality to cater for their little ones' needs.
To remain competitive, our toys, games and baby products are striving to achieve higher quality and safety standards. I understand that the TDC and the trade will hold the Hong Kong Toys Industry Conference this Wednesday to discuss product safety and related issues. On this note, apart from encouraging the trade to take the most from the activities held during the fairs, I must not forget to mention the various funding schemes operated by the Government to support the Hong Kong enterprises, such as the SME Funding Schemes, the Innovation and Technology Fund and the Research and Development (R&D) Cash Rebate Scheme, which aim to support the trade's financing and needs to develop value-added products through innovative designs. Moreover, the trade is also encouraged to capitalise on Hong Kong's acclaimed testing and certification services, so as to boost buyers' confidence on the quality and safety of our products. The Government will continue to review our measures to help the trade, and introduce more effective measures to assist the trade when necessary.
To further enhance the competitiveness of our toys and baby products, effective use of licensed properties are also critical keys to success. The Hong Kong International Licensing Show serves as an ideal platform for licence owners to showcase their properties and licensed products to the region, and thus create licensing opportunities for products. It also provides a one-stop platform for various activities, including licensors, licensing agents, licensees, advertising and marketing agencies, legal advisors and design professionals etc., to feature, source and promote new properties and licensing-related services.
Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to once again thank and congratulate the TDC and your partners on staging these important and highly successful fairs for the trades. May I wish you all a very happy new year, and for the buyers from overseas, a very fruitful and enjoyable stay in Hong Kong.
Thank you.
Ends/Monday, January 9, 2012
Issued at HKT 12:03
NNNN
