Test of time: Chief Secretary Henry Tang (left) checks out watches at the Watch & Clock Fair.

The timepiece industry's total export value saw a 17.3% rise in the first half of this year over a year earlier, to more than $25 billion, Chief Secretary Henry Tang says.

Opening the Watch & Clock Fair today, Mr Tang said the manufacturers, designers and distributors are facing tougher challenges in a more competitive market with shorter product lifecycles.

The government will help them to develop original designs and brand names, and groom creative talent by investing in tertiary and continuing education programmes, he said.

Mr Tang also noted the signing of a supplement to the Hong Kong-Mainland Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement last month, expanding the total number of services sectors covered to 40.

He said there are pilot measures enhancing co-operation between Hong Kong and Guangdong in intellectual property protection and branding development. 

"A robust intellectual property protection programme and branding support are crucial to making Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta region a centre of timepiece design, manufacturing and branding that stands the test of time."