Speech by CS at Shared Value Forum 2017 (English only) (with photo)
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     Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, at Shared Value Forum 2017 today (September 21).
      
     Kim (The Head of Efficiency Unit, Mr Kim Salkeld), Rashid (The Chairman and CEO of Nestle Greater China, Mr Rashid Qureshi), Gordon (The Chairman of the Shared Value Project Hong Kong, Mr Gordon Watson), Mark (Co-founder and Managing Director of FSG, Mr Mark Kramer), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
      
     Good afternoon.  Welcome to this year’s “Shared Value Forum”!
      
     My role today is not to speak to you at length but to introduce the three speakers for this lunch, Mr Rashid Qureshi, Chairman and CEO of Nestle Greater China, Mr Gordon Watson, Chairman of Shared Value Project Hong Kong and Mr Mark Kramer, Co-founder and Managing Director of FSG, and to thank them for coming to share their thoughts and experience with us.
      
     I would also like to express my sincerest gratitude to you all for being here and to show how much I value the opportunity to be with you today.  We often hear about innovation these days but most of the talks are about innovation in technology.  Innovation in the way that business is done, innovation that builds new markets or increases the productive capacity and social capabilities of a community and innovation is the way that the government delivers its service is less discussed, let done, praised.  However, it is this kind of innovation that propels a society forward and it is only through capacity building, expansion of abilities and opportunities as well as synergy can we create lasting value for business.
      
     As this great city faces dynamic and complex technological changes, the transformation brought by demographic changes and the uncertainties raised by evolving patterns of economic activity across the globe, I have no doubt that enhancement of business practices is the cornerstone to keep Hong Kong a fountainhead for prosperity amid all the challenges ahead of us.  I have no doubt, too, that you know far better than I do where the opportunities for beneficial change to your business may be found.  I trust that you have no doubt that as you seek to innovate and transform your businesses in ways that benefit our society, you will have the encouragement, understanding and active engagement of this government.  After all, the current-term government has set innovation, interaction and collaboration as the pillars of policy-making and community building.
      
     Indeed, the Community Housing Movement that was just announced two days ago is a shining example in this regard.  It is an innovative social movement that aims to provide short-term accommodation to people in need.  This meaningful and creative initiative aligns with the Government’s objective to build a caring and harmonious society in Hong Kong, and demonstrates how collective efforts of welfare agencies, property owners, professionals and many others across the society in addition to support and facilitation by government could provide practical solutions to ease the housing pressure on the disadvantaged in Hong Kong.  Whilst the number of housing units to be made available will be limited, the idea itself, drawn on the shared value philosophy, is creative and commendable.
      
     In closing, let me wish you all an enjoyable and intellectual exchange today.  Rashid and Gordon will soon speak to you from their experience of creating shared value for business and society.  I trust that their insights and examples, together with that of Mark, will give you added inspiration and encouragement in your endeavours in building shared value for Hong Kong in years to come. 
      
     Thank you.
    

Ends/Thursday, September 21, 2017
Issued at HKT 12:20

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