Cultural and Creative Industries

30.   The presence of cultural and creative industries is indispensable in a world-class financial and trade centre. Hong Kong’s popular cultural industries have always been in a leading position: music, film and television dramas are favourites of Chinese markets around the world. Our film industry is one of our most important creative industries and enjoys a high reputation regionally and internationally. CEPA has opened up new opportunities for our film industry to tap into that huge market and to capitalise on the resources of the Mainland. With appropriate assistance from the Government, the industry is poised to scale new heights. We will rationalise the framework of government and public organisations for film industry development and support. The Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology (SCIT) will co-ordinate the relevant policy, planning and activities, including manpower training, Mainland and overseas promotion, and filming support. We will set up a Hong Kong Film Development Council, which will include members of the film industry, to support the SCIT. I understand that the Film Development Committee established last year has commissioned a strategic study which proposes that the Government should help resolve some of the problems faced by the film industry, especially budding or small and medium sized film makers. The Government will seriously consider the proposals.