*****************************************************
Following is the speech by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Gregory So, at the Asian Licensing Awards presentation ceremony today (January 7):
Toby (Founding Chairman of Asian Licensing Association, Dr Toby Chan), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good evening and happy new year! It gives me great pleasure to join you all today at the presentation ceremony of the Asian Licensing Awards. I would like to extend my warmest welcome to everyone here, especially participants and guests from the Mainland and overseas.
Premiered in 2012, the Asian Licensing Awards is an annual event to recognise the outstanding achievements of the licensing industries in the promotion of licensed properties and trademarks throughout Asia. This year, we have a very good response rate with around 100 entries coming mostly from nine major Asian economies, representing an increase of 25 per cent compared with last year. The Awards scheme highlights how we can capitalise on innovation and creativity in expanding product categories, gaining market shares and promoting brand image through licensing.
Hong Kong has long served as a strategic two-way conduit between the Mainland and the rest of the world, not just for trade and investment but also for ideas and innovation. We serve as a regional marketplace and service centre for activities such as copyright trading, licensing and franchising, design services and technology transfer. With our sound legal, financial and physical infrastructure, and a deep pool of bilingual and experienced talent in IP (intellectual property)-related matters, Hong Kong is well positioned to be a premier regional IP trading hub.
The success of the Asian Licensing Awards is an important showcase of the prominent role of Hong Kong in IP trading in the region. I wish to congratulate all the winners. They have made valuable contributions to the licensing industry, which has set them apart from their peers and won them well-deserved accolades.
Thank you.
Ends/Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Issued at HKT 19:40
NNNN
