Design sector to get $10 million in aid (with photo)

The Commerce & Economic Development Bureau has allocated $10 million for the design sector to develop its markets and training, and to host major events promoting Hong Kong as a city of creativity.

Acting Head of Create Hong Kong Alan Siu said today this year's 50 graduates from higher diploma or degree design programmes will be placed in a trainee scheme. The Government will subsidise each trainee $4,000 a month for a year. Contributing also at least $4,000 a month, design companies will provide posts and training for young people to gain practical experience.

Another funded project is the Trade Development Council's series of seminars from July to November in five cities in the Pearl River delta region - Shenzhen, Dongguan, Foshan, Guangzhou and Zhongshan - to introduce Hong Kong's design and its brand-management profession. Themes such as brand strategies, product design, shop design and marketing will be discussed, to help Hong Kong's designers and creative talent find opportunities in the region.

A competition for the fashion industry will also be organised to find creative talent for both the local and Mainland industry. Talented people from Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou can submit applications in the last quarter of this year to compete in three categories - fashion design, image design and fashion photography. Finals will be held early next year.

The competition will be filmed and shown on television, publicising it so it will become a major annual event. Prizes will also be awarded to local young designers, either already at work or still studying, to help them receive training abroad, work as trainees or study.