*******************************************************
More than 250 representatives from cultural, creative and business sectors in Hong Kong and Taiwan attended the Hong Kong-Tainan Economic Co-operation Forum organised by the Hong Kong Economic, Trade and Cultural Office (Taiwan) (HKETCO) in Tainan today (June 25). The forum discussed how the cultural and creative industries in Hong Kong and Taiwan could co-operate and complement each other, and the marketing strategies for branding and design, with a view to exploring new collaboration opportunities that can bring benefits to both places.
Addressing the forum, the HKETCO Director, Mr John Leung, said there have been frequent exchanges between Hong Kong and Tainan in tourism, culture and arts, as well as business. Both places have attached great importance to the development of cultural and creative industries and had various success stories in brand building. He pointed out that under the theme "branding and design", a number of experts could share their views in the forum on ways to enhance the strengths and co-operation between Hong Kong and Taiwan, and explore more business opportunities in the Greater China and international markets.
Also speaking at the forum, the Chairman of one of the co-organisers, the Hong Kong-Taiwan Business Co-operation Committee (BCC), Mr David Lie, said that in the light of global economic changes and fierce market competition, many enterprises are seeking to develop their brands and creative designs to open up the Asian and Mainland markets. He added that Hong Kong has quality brand building management while Taiwan produces good cultural and creative products, and that enterprises in both places could complement each other to enhance competiveness and increase market share in the region.
The HKETCO has organised Hong Kong and Taiwan economic co-operation forums for different sectors in the past two years. For this fourth forum, the Mayor of Tainan, Mr Lai Ching-te, and Mr Lie were invited to be the officiating guests. In addition, five experts from sectors relating to cultural and creative industries, brand marketing and design gave presentations in their respective fields.
Professor Lin Pang-soong of the Department of Visual Communication Design at Asia University explored the collaboration opportunities and development of the cultural and creative industries in Hong Kong and Taiwan. He has been actively participating in international design activities and promoting the development of the design sector in Taiwan.
During the forum, two entrepreneurs, founder of OMQ ZMedia Ltd Mr Joseph Wong and the Vice President of Everest Textile Co Ltd, Ms Alice Kao, shared with audiences their experiences in corporate management and brand revitalisation.
In addition, noted designer and founder of Yip Design Ltd Mr Alan Yip and President of Cheerful Fashion Goods Co Ltd, Mr Hou Yuan-tang, gave presentations on new strategies in brand marketing with a view to promoting design products in international markets.
The Hong Kong-Tainan Economic Co-operation Forum was jointly organised by the HKETCO and a Taiwan business magazine, Business Today, in association with the Tainan Government's Economic Development Bureau, the BCC and the Hong Kong Business Association in Taiwan (HKBA). The HKETCO was established in Taipei more than three years ago and its main role is to promote economic, trade, cultural, educational and tourism exchanges between Hong Kong and Taiwan. The BCC and the HKBA were established in April 2010 in Hong Kong and August 2014 in Taipei respectively, and aim to provide platforms to facilitate business co-operation between Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Ends/Thursday, June 25, 2015
Issued at HKT 20:00
NNNN
