To promote Hong Kong's creative industries, the Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Communications and Technology), Mr Duncan Pescod, will lead a delegation from the digital entertainment and film industries to attend the AnimfxNZ 2009 event in Wellington, New Zealand, from November 5 to 7 (New Zealand time).
AnimfxNZ is an annual event organised by the New Zealand Games, Animation and Visual Effects Trust to further the exchange of creative ideas and to provide a platform for players in the digital entertainment sector to share views on the state and future of the industry, as well as the technologies influencing the craft. Mr Pescod will address the opening on November 6.
The Hong Kong delegation comprises representatives from the Internet Professional Association and Cyberport, as well as business and academic delegates from the industries. Apart from the AnimfxNZ 2009 event, the delegation will attend meetings, seminars and networking events to have direct exchanges with their overseas counterparts.
During his stay in Wellington, Mr Pescod will sign a Memorandum of Understanding on Audio Visual Arrangement between Hong Kong and New Zealand on November 4. He will call on the Minister of Culture and Heritage, Mr Chris Finlayson, and the Minister of Economic Development, Mr Gerry Brownlee, to exchange views on matters of mutual interest.
On November 5, Mr Pescod will attend a roundtable meeting with the Ministry of Culture and Heritage, the New Zealand Film Commission and the Ministry of Economic Development. He will then witness the signing of an agreement on knowledge sharing and transfer between the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, Wellington City Council and the New Zealand Institute of Screen Innovation Limited.
In the afternoon of November 6, Mr Pescod will visit Auckland and address a reception to share his views on the development of Hong Kong's creative industries, before returning to Hong Kong. The reception is hosted by the Hong Kong New Zealand Business Association.