HKTDC welcomes 2023 Policy Address

25 October 2023 – The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) welcomes the 2023 Policy Address, delivered today by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s (HKSAR) Chief Executive Mr John Lee.

The Policy Address presents a comprehensive set of measures encompassing various areas, such as the economy and trade, people’s livelihood and youth development. It addresses the challenges and opportunities facing Hong Kong, with the aim to reinforce its competitive advantages, integrate into national development and serve as an international hub connecting global markets as well as promote economic growth, paving the way for the city’s sustainable development.

Dr Peter K N Lam, Chairman of the HKTDC, said, “The Policy Address highlights a diversity of forward-looking and innovative measures across key areas, such as economic growth, business and investment attraction, infrastructure planning, and the development of the cultural and creative sectors. The comprehensive plan ensures that Hong Kong leverages its “eight centre” advantages and supports and integrates into national development, while creating strong impetus for economic growth and enhancing its competitiveness.”

The Policy Address states the Government will leverage Hong Kong’s advantages in professional services to develop the city into a regional intellectual property (IP) trading centre. The HKTDC fully supports measures to promote IP developments in Hong Kong, such as the latest amendments to the Copyright Ordinance and implementation of the patent box tax incentives.

The HKTDC will commission a consulting firm to conduct research on IP trading of Hong Kong’s creative industries and optimise our Asia IP Exchange (AsiaIPEX) and further promote IP-related cooperation.

In addition, we will enhance our major international IP events, such as the Business of Intellectual Property Asia Forum, Hong Kong Book Fair, Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART) and Hong Kong International Licensing Show, by working with industry players and providing business matching activities and professional services. This is to help businesses producing local original works tap into Mainland China and international markets.

The HKTDC supports the Government’s push for the continuous development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) and welcomes the launch of E-commerce Easy under the Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales, which will enable SMEs to implement e-commerce projects.

The HKTDC has been actively promoting Hong Kong businesses’ engagement in e-commerce through its Transformation Sandbox (T-box) business support programme and Digital Academy, year-round services that accelerate SMEs’ digital growth and transformation.

The Policy Address outlined the Government’s intention to continuously promote the development of the convention and exhibition (C&E) industry. Expanding C&E facilities and raising C&E space play a pivotal role in reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as an international C&E as well as trade hub.

In regard to strengthening trade promotion efforts in emerging countries along the Belt and Road, HKTDC will continue to leverage its global network, which already covers extensive Belt and Road markets.

At the recent Belt and Road Forum, President Xi Jinping announced eight major steps to facilitate high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, which we fully support through our global network and international conferences and fairs.

In regard to seizing opportunities brought about by the silver economy, the HKTDC will incorporate more silver economy elements into its business platform, such as the Asia Summit on Global Health, Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring and Autumn) and Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair, to enhance the promotion of relevant products and services, help enterprises tap into the market and strengthen Hong Kong’s role as an international trade hub.

The creative industry remains a driving force for Hong Kong's economic growth. The HKTDC applauds the measures that strengthen support for the cultural and creative industries, including injecting more funds into the Film Development Fund and CreateSmart initiative, launching the Filming Financing Scheme and Hong Kong-Europe-Asian Film Collaboration Funding Scheme and increasing cultural exchanges.

Dr Lam added: “The HKTDC will continue to align with national development and collaborate with our various partners to jointly promote the economic development of Hong Kong and share Hong Kong’s stories and successes with the world.”

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About HKTDC 
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade. With 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via trade publications, research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus.