Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Industry Support Centre Nurtures Development of Local Industry

As part of the Hong Kong SAR Government's initiatives to foster the development of the local creative and digital entertainment industries, the Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Industry Support Centre was officially opened today (11 May 2005) to serve as a platform for collaboration between local digital entertainment companies and support organizations as well as spearhead the development of new tools and technologies applicable for the industry.

Located at the Cyberport in Pokfulam, Hong Kong and established with the support of the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO), HKSAR Government, the Centre will provide integrated services and resources for the development of new technologies, training programmes and promotional events for the digital entertainment industry, under the administration of the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC).

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Edmund Sung, Director, Business Productivity, HKPC, said, "The popularity of the Internet and growing demand for digital contents in entertainment and multimedia have led to the rapid development of the local digital entertainment industry in recent years. While the opportunities available are obvious, the industry in Hong Kong is also facing major challenges."

"According to findings of the '2004 Study on Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Industry' conducted by HKPC in March and April 2004, among the 200 companies engaging in the digital entertainment business, 65% employed less than ten staff; 45% have been established for less than three years; and almost 40% of the companies spent less than HK$500,000 on R&D investments," Mr Sung said.

"These findings are indicative of a local digital entertainment industry that is dominated by SMEs who have insufficient manpower and capital to develop new R&D applications, as well as lack the resources and experience in business development," Mr Sung continued.

"To enhance the competitiveness of the digital entertainment industry in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Industry Support Centre will provide integrated one-stop support services to assist SMEs in making the most effective use of technological, manpower and financial resources available from various support organizations in Hong Kong," said Mr Sung.

"In addition, the Centre has published a Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Industry Directory which contains information on some 100 local digital entertainment enterprises, and a website portal will soon be launched to disseminate the latest news and developments to local industry," Mr Sung added.

Other officiating guests at the opening ceremony included Ms Betty Fung, Deputy Chief Information Officer (Planning & Strategy), OGCIO, HKSAR Government; Mr Mark O. Clift, Director (Campus & Project Management), Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Ltd; Mr Victor Dao, Chairman, Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association; Mr Sze Yan Ngai, Convenor, China Game Publishers Association (Hong Kong); and Mr Xin Xiaozheng, Chief Consultant, 2004 China Game Industry Annual Report.

For further details on the '2004 Study on Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Industry', please contact Ms Doris Chan of HKPC's Information Technology Industry Development Division at tel. (852) 3166 3772 or email dorisc@hkpc.org .

For press enquiries, please contact:
Ms Betty Lee
General Manager
Corporate Communications and Events
Tel. (852) 2788 6202
Fax (852) 2788 5056
Email: annabell@hkpc.org

11 May 2005