Hong Kong developing a strategy for creative industries

Hong Kong has the necessary platform for creative industries to flourish, the Secretary for Home Affairs, Dr Patrick Ho, said in London this week.

In a speech to the Hong Kong Association on Wednesday (London time), Dr Ho said that in many areas, Hong Kong was already a regional leader.

"But as a government we need a more systemic and co-ordinated approach to increase the economic benefits and potential of our creativity, either as businesses in their own right or as creative input into other businesses or industries," he said.

Dr Ho said a strategy was needed to develop creative industries and has outlined a three-pronged approach which could be expanded with more experience and as the industries became successful.

"First, we must drum up the latent creativity of our people. We can do this by promoting local arts and crafts, by encouraging creativity in our education system, and by giving our young artists an opportunity to experiment and shine," he said.

Dr Ho described this as a grassroots, back-to-basics approach to developing a critical mass of creative talents in Hong Kong, as well as an appreciation for the creative industries.

"Second, we must get our house in order. We must encourage and steer people to think more about the business end of creativity. This applies equally to those who come up with good ideas, as it does to those in the business sector who might use those ideas to make money or add value to the services or products they provide," he said.

"Third, we must stimulate and cultivate the market for creative industries."

Dr Ho said the Pearl River Delta offered significant potential and specific advantages. By pushing into the PRD, Hong Kong could develop a critical mass of talent and market opportunities for the creative industries.

He said working groups involving Hong Kong and the PRD would meet regularly to discuss issues on a range of topics including the exchange of information and performing art talent; the joint organisation of world-class performances; the excavation, conservation and promotion of heritage; and the promotion of Cantonese opera and the training of talent.

"On this last point we will also work very closely with our Guangdong counterparts to have Cantonese Opera included in the UNESCO world heritage list," he said. "This would help promote this unique performing art to the rest of the world, and bring a new focus to the promotion of this art form locally."

During his visit to London, the Secretary for Home Affairs has also received strong interest from leading figures in creative industries in London about the opportunities to establish links between Hong Kong and the UK in experience sharing and mutual support.

End/Thursday, December 12, 2002