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The Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, arrived Shanghai today (May 14) for his three-day visit.
Upon his arrival, Mr Tsang attended the "Style Hong Kong" fashion show as the guest of honour. Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, this event is one of the HKSAR programmes for Expo 2010 Shanghai China (Shanghai Expo).
The show was held at the Grand Show Hall of the Shanghai Fashion Centre, and was also part of the Shanghai International Fashion Culture Festival and Shanghai Fashion Week, an event celebrating the opening of Shanghai Expo.
During the show, Mr Tsang met the three participating Hong Kong fashion designers, Ms Lu Lu Cheung, Ms Hidy Ng and Mr Henry Lau. They presented their latest fall/winter collection to a packed hall of 600 people.
Mr Tsang said during his opening speech, "The Hong Kong SAR Government is fully committed to the development of creative industries. Creative industries are a strong driving force in the overall economic development of Hong Kong's economy, with the value added to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reaching over $60 billion each year, accounting for some 5% of Hong Kong's GDP.
"At present, there are nearly 32,000 enterprises engaged in the creative industries with more than 176,000 employees. In March this year, the Institut Europen d' Administration des Affaires (INSEAD) rated Hong Kong as the most creative economy in Asia.
"Fashion design is an important element of Hong Kong's creative industries. Situated at the crossroads where East meets West, Hong Kong is able to array the latest fashion information from around the world.
"Brimming with creativity, Hong Kong's design talents exhibit variegated styles and flexibility. Today, three of Hong Kong¡¯s designers express Hong Kong's style and sentiments through their magnificent work."
Mr Tsang will visit the Hong Kong Pavilion and Hong Kong's Urban Best Practices Area Exhibition tomorrow morning (May 15) to see the full commitment of Hong Kong to Shanghai Expo.
In the afternoon, Mr Tsang will officiate at the "Hong Kong: Creative Ecologies - Business, Living, Creativity" Design Exhibition. The exhibition is another HKSAR programme for Shanghai Expo organised by the Hong Kong Design Centre. The exhibition showcases the innovation and branding power of Hong Kong designers to Mainland and global audiences.
Hong Kong is staging more than 55 events and activities during the Expo period, which includes an exciting performing arts programme, exhibitions, seminars, and major promotional activities for the tourism, design and branding and film sectors.
For more details on Hong Kong's participation in the Shanghai Expo, please visit www.hkexpo2010.gov.hk.
Ends/Friday, May 14, 2010
Issued at HKT 19:39
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