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The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Gregory So, witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Exchanges by PMQ Management Company Limited of Hong Kong, the Korea Tourism Organization, the Korea Creative Content Agency and the Korea Craft and Design Foundation with the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea, Mr Kim Jong-deok, in Seoul this morning (March 23).
An MOU on Co-operation in the Creative Industries signed by Mr So with Mr Kim in November 2014 paved the way for the collaboration.
Mr So said that there is strong potential for greater collaboration between Hong Kong and Korea in creative industries.
The MOU signed today aims to facilitate exchange and co-operation between Korea and Hong Kong's PMQ in the development and promotion of creative industries through joint programmes and marketing, exchange of human resources, and more.
"Through closer co-operation of the governments, the industry and business sectors, creativity can be turned into business opportunities, bringing mutual benefits to the continuous growth and development of the creative economies of the two places," he said.
Prior to the signing ceremony, Mr So held a discussion with Mr Kim to exchange views on issues of mutual concern.
He also took the opportunity to tour the CEL Venture Complex. Similar to PMQ, the CEL Venture Complex has turned a former government building previously occupied by the Korea Tourism Organization into a venue for creativity. It can now accommodate some 90 start-ups in the cultural content industry.
Mr So will visit Dongdaemun Design Plaza, the newest and most iconic landmark of the Korean design industry, and two performance academies for young people aspiring to be K-pop artistes before returning to Hong Kong later this evening.
Ends/Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Issued at HKT 11:25
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