Following is the video speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, at the Opening Ceremony of Business of Design Week (BODW) 2022 today (November 30):
 
Friends of BODW, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to the Business of Design Week (BODW) 2022 and celebrate with you the 20th anniversary of this signature event.
 
     Over the past two decades, BODW has gained international recognition as an annual flagship event on design, innovation and brands. The theme of this year's BODW is "Design for Change". Over 90 international and local business and design leaders are joining us – in person and online – to make a change, through exchanging design mindsets and creative solutions, for a sustainable future. 
 
     I am particularly pleased to learn that the Netherlands is the Strategic Partner of this year's BODW, bringing in distinguished speakers to share with local and global audiences their insights into empowerment of design.
 
     In his maiden Policy Address, the Chief Executive has made it clear that the HKSAR Government is committed to fostering Hong Kong's cultural development. It is integral to develop and enrich the platforms and ecosystems for our arts, cultural and creative industries, and BODW is surely a prime platform among them. The Government is therefore pleased to sponsor BODW, and the concurrent events, through Create Hong Kong again this year. 
 
     Rest assured that we will spare no effort in developing Hong Kong into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, leveraging the strong support from the National 14th Five-Year Plan and strengthening cross-sector collaboration. Your design wisdom and involvement are vital to our success.  
 
     On behalf of the HKSAR Government, I commend the Hong Kong Design Centre and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council for putting together this year's BODW. My big thank you also goes to the Netherlands, once again, as well as to Guangzhou Design Week, being the Strategic Regional Partner, and many other strategic partners of the event.   
 
     I wish you all an enjoyable evening and BODW 2022 every success. Thank you. 

Ends/Wednesday, November 30, 2022
Issued at HKT 20:25

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