Creativity show: Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Rita Lau (second right) visits the Response Exhibition of the 11th International Architecture Exhibition of Venice Biennale Hong Kong Exhibition.

Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Rita Lau says the Government is dedicated to developing Hong Kong as a city of creativity in the region, adding a dedicated office will be formed to co-ordinate the development of a creative economy.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Response Exhibition of the 11th International Architecture Exhibition of Venice Biennale Hong Kong Exhibition, Mrs Lau said there are more than 170,000 practitioners in the creative industries, with over 30,000 establishments and a total annual value-added exceeding $60 billion, representing 4% of the city's GDP.

"If these industries can obtain more effective support and training, their development potential will be enormous," she said.

As announced in the Budget, an additional $300 million has been earmarked to promote the continuous development of local creative industries. Architecture, as one of the creative industry domains in which Hong Kong has an edge, will also benefit.