Thriving industry: Central Policy Unit Head Professor Lau Siu-kai says a thriving creative industry is conducive to the sustainable development of Hong Kong's economy.

A Central Policy Unit study suggests an integrated development platform can be formed to boost interaction among different sectors while cultural and creative industries can be used as a driving force for the development of society, economy and culture.

The study on the relationship between Hong Kong's cultural and creative industries and the Pearl River Delta, released today, aims to better understand resource distribution and business opportunities, and explore further collaboration between Hong Kong's creative industries and the delta.

The report covered 11 creative industry sectors: advertising; architecture; art, antiques and crafts; design; digital entertainment; film and video; music; performing arts; publishing; software and computing; and television and radio.

Central Policy Unit Head Professor Lau Siu-kai said Hong Kong is renowned for its versatility and creativity. Coupled with the emergence of the enormous Mainland market, in particular the PRD, there is a favourable environment for the development of creative industries. A thriving creative industry is also conducive to the sustainable development of Hong Kong's economy, he added.

Consolidate core industries

"Our aim is to consolidate our core industries, foster a favourable social environment to nurture and attract talent, promote the development of creative industries, facilitate the transition to a knowledge-based economy, sustain prosperity and enhance our quality of life," Professor Lau said.

The National 11th 5-Year Plan, Closer Economic Partnership Agreement and the economic development strategy of "leverage the Mainland and engage ourselves globally" have brought about ample opportunities for the future development of creative industries.

"Our 'market leads, Government facilitates' policy directive will facilitate the concerted efforts of the Government and industries to open up the Mainland market for our creative industries," he said.

According to the study findings, Hong Kong capital plays an important role in the region's cultural and creative industries, with 90% of foreign investment coming from the city. It also has a relatively large advantage in the export trade of the region's cultural and creative industries.

More collaboration

The study noted collaboration in cultural and creative industries between Hong Kong and the PRD may take place in the following five areas:

* based on the advanced and comprehensive legal system in Hong Kong to develop the PRD into an international cultural and creative industries market, while winning more room for development for Hong Kong;

* using Hong Kong's international environment to allow the cultural and creative industries here as important link between the PRD and the international market;

* through acquisition and merger, to unite the creative and cultural industries of Hong Kong and the PRD as a base to develop the Mainland market;

* speeding up radiation to the Mainland hinterland, especially the mid-south and southwest regions based on the economic cooperation of the Pan-PRD; and

* local cultural and creative industries could obtain richer resources, labour and opportunities in a wider regional market by tapping into the free trade zone established between China and ASEAN.

On the overall development for Hong Kong's cultural and creative industries, it is suggested to establish an integrated development platform to boost interaction among different sectors and use cultural and creative industries as a driving force for the development of society, economy and culture.

More recommendations

Other recommendations include:

* setting up a specific cross-departmental group to implement policies and measures. This organisation ideally should be a brand new structure and independent policy bureau or restructured from the existing government hierarchy;

* establishing a federation or alliance of cultural and creative industries to facilitate coordination and interactions among the existing organisations;

exploring financing plans, such as setting up a foundation or trust for the development of cultural and creative industries;

* setting up a chamber of commerce for cultural and creative industries;

* reviewing the existing relevant curricula dispersed in different institutions to form a complete infrastructure of education and training; and

* partnering with other sectors to form an organisation for promoting creativity and the industries.

The study said Hong Kong should not be looking only at the PRD as an inevitable partner, but should integrate Hong Kong with the PRD and the neighboring regions to cast and project their combined competitiveness worldwide.