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SCED's speech at launch of Invest Hong Kong's Start Me Up Hong Kong Programme (English only)
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     Following is the speech by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Gregory So, at the launch of Invest Hong Kong's Start Me Up Hong Kong Programme this evening (June 7):

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

     Thank you very much everyone, for coming together this Friday evening.

     I am delighted to join this Start Me Up Hong Kong launch party, and I would like to congratulate Invest Hong Kong for pulling together so effectively the multiple and diverse strands of what I have been hearing is our city's vibrant but fragmented start-up ecosystem.

     For me personally, the rapid development of an enthusiastic start-up ecosystem in Hong Kong is very energising. At a time when the world is facing ongoing economic uncertainty, we need new drivers to generate economic growth, new jobs and innovation in future.

     Invest Hong Kong is developing the virtual platform and the Start Me Up Hong Kong Programme to promote Hong Kong as a premier start-up destination in Asia and attract global entrepreneurial talents. These will help build the city's start-up ecosystem, where overseas and local entrepreneurs can meet, discover synergies and access markets, capital and talent together.

     Make no mistake, the contributions that start-ups and entrepreneurs make to Hong Kong are very important. Apart from the direct jobs that you create, you indirectly generate job opportunities through outsourcing certain activities to local service providers. You bring inspiration, innovation, ideas, talented people and technology transfer to our city.

     Multinational companies like to invest in start-ups to remain competitive. They often choose to be headquartered and put their R&D function in a place that has a strong cluster of innovative start-ups.

     Hong Kong has all the ingredients I have mentioned for start-ups to turn innovative ideas into commercialisation of new products and services for the local, Mainland and global markets, and to become a leading innovation and entrepreneur hub.

     But as it is Friday night, you are probably looking forward to the weekend ahead. I would like in closing to give my heartfelt thanks to all of you in the wider start-up community. My thanks also go to the Hong Kong Inc partners who are supporting this programme.

     Thank you.

Ends/Friday, June 7, 2013
Issued at HKT 20:43

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