'Entrepreneurs in Action' Program Nurtures New Generation of Young Business Leaders

Over 200 young business leaders attended the closing ceremony of the 'Entrepreneurs in Action' Program (EiA Program) for New Era Leaders 2006 jointly organized by the Junior Chamber International Hong Kong (JCIHK) and the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) today (25 August 2006).

The event marked the closing of the EiA Program launched in February 2006 to enhance the creativity, brand building capabilities, and leadership skills of business executives of local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Over 700 local entrepreneurs participated in the various activities under the Program.

The officiating guests at the ceremony included Mr Li Jiyi, Deputy Director General of Youth Department, Liaison Office of The Central People's Government in the HKSAR; Mr James Tsui, National President of JCIHK; Dr Stephen Lee, Acting Executive Director of HKPC, and Miss Shirley Lai, Chairman of the EiA Program.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Tsui said, "To establish and uphold their corporate branding, enterprises need to leverage on technologies and innovation to enhance their product quality and value. Coupled with the perseverance and entrepreneurial spirit of their business leaders, these enterprises are poised to rise to the challenges of today's globalized competition."

Highlighting the mission of the Program, Dr Lee said, "This program is a timely initiative to nurture a new generation of creative industry leaders. Through the Program, we hope to help fledgling entrepreneurs learn from the valuable experiences of established innovative enterprises, broaden their horizon, and hit the road to success in innovation and wealth creation."

Under the Program, a CEO seminar and training series on entrepreneurial creativity and branding were held between February and July 2006, attended by over 600 participants. In June, a series of visits to innovative enterprises in Hong Kong and the Mainland, as well as a business forum in Guangzhou were held with over 150 participants. The Program also included the Best Business Plan Competition, as well as publications on entrepreneurial creativity and creative branding.

At the ceremony, three local enterprises were honoured as the 'EiA Entrepreneurial Enterprises' for their achievements in creativity and branding excellence. They were Four Seas Mercantile Holdings Ltd, Hong Thai Travel Services Ltd, and Circle K. Winners of the Best Business Plan Competition were also honoured at the event. The top three titles were presented to Mr Kwan Wai Hao, Ms Mok Suk Yee and Dr Lam Tok Chung, while the Merit Award was won by Ms Wai Man Kie.

The EiA Program was co-organized by the Support and Consultation Centre for SMEs (SUCCESS) of the Trade and Industry Department, The Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Brand Development Council, The Outstanding Young Persons' Association and International Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises.

For further details on the Program, please contact Ms Shirley Lai of JCIHK at tel. (852) 9085 0555, or Ms Patricia Chun of HKPC at (852) 2788 5535, or e-mail to: shirley.lai@jcihk.org and patricia@hkpc.org respectively, or visit the Program website: www.eia-program.hk.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Junior Chamber International Hong Kong
Ms Shirley Lai
Project Chairman
Tel: (852) 9085 0555
Fax: (852) 2543 6271
E-mail: shirley.lai@jcihk.org

Hong Kong Productivity Council
Ms Betty Lee
General Manager
Corporate Communications and Events
Tel: (852) 2788 5036
Fax: (852) 2788 5056
Email: justina@hkpc.org
Website: www.hkpc.org

25 August 2006