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It would be the first time the government dedicated a set sum to the fashion industry in its annual budget. Photo: Amanda Kho

Hong Kong fashion industry to land HK$200m in budget first

Young Hong Kong designers to be nurtured through annual carnival and promotions as well as overseas scholarships for the best

Local fashion designers look set to benefit from this year's budget, with the government expected to offer the sector at least HK$200 million in promotion and scholarships in the hope of nurturing young talent in Hong Kong.

It would be the first time the government dedicated a set sum to the fashion industry in its annual budget. The money, which would be assigned to the Hong Kong Design Centre for coordination, would be used to hold an annual festival and offer scholarships for young designers to receive training overseas, a government source said.

Textiles and garment sector lawmaker Felix Chung Kwok-pan, who has been a key advocate of such a measure, said government support was essential for the industry to blossom.

"From what we saw during the Occupy protests, our young people are full of creativity," said Chung, chairman of the pro-establishment Liberal Party. "But our city has been providing insufficient support to local designers."

Chung said he wanted to see rising stars given the opportunity to gain overseas exposure. "We need - and we could have - another Vivienne Tam," he added.

As the government prepares to announce its annual budget, demonstrators called on Financial Secretary John Tsang to strengthen the poverty alleviation programme. Photo: David Wong
He suggested that the government hold an annual fashion festival in a district such as Sham Shui Po, where young talent could publicise their designs on the runway and link up with manufacturers.

Afa Tsang Chui-fan - a young designer who launched her own brand, Berth Number 66, last year - said publicity was what she needed the most right now.

"It is the toughest part, as almost every form of publicity requires money," she said. "But it is a must for local design brands or stores located above street level."

She expressed hope that the government could provide more platforms for local designers to promote their brands, such as assigning a particular area for them to start their businesses.

Festivals and overseas scholarships might help, she said. "But it would be better if the scholarships could be turned into a subsidy for us to hold fashion shows and exhibitions overseas, as international exposure would give [us] the strongest boost."

Chung, the honorary chairman of the Hong Kong Apparel Society, also called on the government to utilise the campus of the Clothing Industry Training Authority in Kowloon Bay.

The authority was established under the Industry Training (Clothing Industry) Ordinance in the 1970s, but Chung said the training site had been underused since the garment industry's peak decades ago. He suggested it could be used for small-scale manufacturing.

Separately, Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah finally registered his own account on Facebook yesterday, 11 years after the social-networking site was launched, hoping to enhance his interaction with the public ahead of his budget speech on Wednesday.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Fashion industryto land HK$200 min budget first
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