| I. Highlights 1.Passed of motion on “Promoting the development of local creative industries”
The main views expressed in my motion are: Why does HK need to develop creative industries earnestly? It is worried that the traditional industries are gradually withering and it is unworkable to rely on solely the four major economic pillars. Through developing creativity industry, HK people, especially, the young ones would be provided with more job opportunities, like the high value-added jobs as mentioned by the Chief Executive. Unfortunately, HK has lost the golden opportunities and hence we are now in lack of brand and image in our creative industries. For the laggard developments of “eleven creative industries”, the Government should be held accountable.
How could HK play to its full advantage so as to get out of the current predicament? A free and open market is absolutely necessary for the development of creative industry. However, there are many difficulties for developing the domestic creativity industry. For instance, our market is too small; our supply chain is inadequate; the development of the industry has been too diverse; and there is a lack of synergistic effect. Financing is also very difficult for the industry. But the most troubling of all is that the Government has no clear plan and explicit policies for the development of the industry. People from the industry hope that the SAR Government could offer help, especially on making the best use of the CEPA on “ early and pilot implementation”, opening the market in Guangdong Province and positioning HK as the creative industry center in the Pearl River Delta Region.
I think it is imperative for the Government to actively promote the development of local creative industries. I suggested the Government to set up a “Creative Industries Fund” of 3 billion HKD in size which could be used to help entrepreneurs to start up new businesses, sponsor universities on creativity industry research and cultivation of talents, attract international famous creativity enterprises to set up offices and develop in HK, and to push forward the collaboration between different industries, esp. the collaboration between new network economy and traditional industries, or even make the creativity industry to become the fifth pillar industry of HK.
In short, it would be better to be innovative than staying in the safe place. We need the kind of Government which could have new perspective and is able to take up due responsibility. I am sure this is the expectation of the public on our Government.
2. First station of thematic expedition: Shanghai In 2009, my first task would be to find out: How many resources and efforts are invested in the development of creative industry in other cities? Is there any experience we could learn? Therefore, I conducted a trip to Shanghai with friends from different industries in mid January. Why Shanghai as the first station? It is because Shanghai has been actively promoting the transformation of traditional publishing to digital publishing in recent years. The first National Digital Publishing Base was opened in the city’s Zhangjiang High-Tech Park. The main construction of the top ten business sections included the cell phone publishing, online games animation, art collections, digital newspaper, digital music, electronic books, on-demand publishing and digital printing, interactive education, digital imaging and exhibition. It is clear that Shanghai is seeking to become the leading national digital publishing center. In the end, The Hong Kong Productivity Council representatives and Zhangjiang Base signed a memorandum on mutual cooperation, with an aim to promote digital publishing industry between two regions. 3. IT and Logistics
Starting from January this year, my office will hold series of seminars on how to promote the cooperation between IT sector and other industries. To this end, an “IT and logistics industry” seminar was held jointly with the HK Productivity Council on 20 January. Being one of the four major economic pillars, the logistics industry contributes 5% of HK’s GDP. I believe that close cooperation between IT and logistics sectors will not only further enhance the competitiveness of the logistics industry, but also optimize and promote the development of modern services industries in HK. This seminar invited Hon Miriam Lau, and representatives from the Government and relevant industries to explore ways on how IT could enhance the development of the logistics industry and measures to strengthen the cooperation between two sectors. Many speakers pointed out that enhancing the sharing of information would benefit the development of the logistics industry. Also, cooperation between the two sectors depended on the actively participation and promotion from the Government. 4. Creating more working opportunities allows of no delay Recently, news on company lay off has been heard from time to time. According to a conservative estimate, 3,000 workers of the IT industry might face unemployment. It is hoped that LegCo members could lend a hand to the industry in creating jobs. Therefore, the two appropriations as proposed by the Government, i.e. “replacement of social security computer system” and “Hong Kong public libraries multimedia information system major upgrade plan”, won my full support, and hopefully they could bring more jobs to our IT sector. Job creation is also a hot issue when I had meeting with my expert group members. They thought the Government should be more sincere and determined in putting more resources to create jobs, and thus retain industry talents. Some IT friends suggested that the industry could help the Government in conducting IT based auditing, and examine to see which government departments should increase their IT applications, and encourage the Government to implement more large scale infrastructure projects. Another opinion brought out was that one IT technician being hired by either primary or secondary school in HK could immediately bring to the industry over 1000 extra jobs. In short, I will continue to urge the Government to put more efforts on the job creation.
II. Expert Groups Meeting
| Expert Groups | Meeting Notes | | Expert Group on Engineering, Telecommunications and Broadcasting Policies
工程、通訊及廣播政策專家小組 | Meeting Date: 13 Jan 2009 (Tue) No. of attendance: 8 Item Discussed:
- Concerns over the business environment for the WiMax & Mobile TV
- Possibility of exploring the collaboration opportunity between HK & Guangdong, in terms of the mobile area
- Mobile phone coverage, especially area near country parks & the boarder
- Wide use of ICT, especially promote to the HKSAR Gov. Depts.
| Expert Group on Education and Professional Development
教育及專業發展專家小組 | Meeting Date: 16 Jan 2009 (Fri) No. of attendance: 11 Item Discussed:
- The motion regarding how to promote the development of creative industries
- "IT in TI" Series - IT in Education
- Unemployment conditions of ICT industries and proposals to create jobs「製造就業，創造商機」
| | Expert Group on ICT Industry and Regional Cooperation
科技產業及區域合作專家小組 | Meeting Date: 19 Jan 2009 (Mon) No. of attendance: 12 Item Discussed:
- The motion regarding how to promote the development of creative industries in HK
- Possibility of exploring the collaboration opportunity between HK & Guangdong, concerning the "Outline of Development Plan for PRD" or 《珠江三角洲地區改革發展規劃綱要 (2008-2020年) 》
- Unemployment conditions of ICT industry and proposals for job creation
| Expert Group on Internet and Information Security
互聯網及資訊保安專家小組
| Meeting Date: 22 Jan 2009 (Thu) No. of attendance: 16 Item Discussed:
- Report of Shanghai Trip – Visiting Digital Entertainment and Digital Publishing Industry (上海數字娛樂與數字出版產業考察團)
- Motion to be moved on February 4th regarding Creative Industries
- How to create more jobs
| Expert Group on Youth and Social Affairs
青年及社會事務專家小組
| Meeting Date: 15 Jan 2009 (Thu) No. of attendance: 10 Item Discussed:
- Discussion on the motion of "Promoting the development of local creative industries"
- Unemployment conditions of ICT industry and proposals for job creation
| III. Articles Sharing
IV. Panels' Agenda
1. Panel on Information Technology and Broadcasting Next Meeting：9 Mar 2009 Items for Discussion：
- Annual report on Cyberport
2. Panel on Education Next Meeting：9 Mar 2009 Items for Discussion：
- Progress of implementation of incorporated management committee (IMC) in schools
- Extension of Early Retirement Scheme for Aided Secondary School Teachers (the Scheme)
- Capital works projects of the University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded institutions
3. Panel on Commerce and Industry Next Meeting：17 Feb 2009 Items for Discussion：
- Progress update on the support measures for small and medium enterprises arising from the global financial turmoil
- Subsidiary legislation for implementing the electronic Road Cargo System
- Progress report on Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's participation in the World Exposition 2010 Shanghai China
4. Panel on Constitutional Affairs
Next Meeting：16 Feb 2009 Items for Discussion： - Public consultation and legislative timetable for the two electoral methods for 2012
- Public consultation on prisoners' voting right
- Rules and regulations under the Race Discrimination Ordinance
5. Panel on Development Next Meeting：24 Feb 2009 Items for Discussion：
- Proposal for appointment of a subcommittee to study urban renewal matters
- Revitalization of historic buildings through Partnership Scheme – Batch I & Batch II
- Planning and Engineering Study for the Lok Ma Chau Loop
- Building (Minor Works) Regulation
Special Meeting：16 Feb 2009 Items for Discussion：
- Public facilities in private development
6. Panel on Economic Development Next Meeting：23 Feb 2009 Items for Discussion： - Collection of air passenger departure tax and fuel surcharge by travel agents
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