Source: China Daily
HONG KONG: Budding talent in the creative industry will receive subsidies under a HK$300 million government fund announced yesterday.
The funding will come in the form of placements offered by the creative industry and subsidized by the government.
Deputy secretary for commerce and economic development (communications and technology) Alan SiuYu-bun said the fund will be directed outside the film and design industries which are to benefit from a government fund announced earlier.
"We hope to further develop the creative industry and help firms to expand their local, mainland and overseas markets," he said. "We will subsidize companies in the trade to hold exhibitions on the mainland and abroad so as to promote them."
Siu, the acting head of CreateHK, an agency that came into operation yesterday to promote the creative industry, said his office has already collaborated with the Association of Accredited Advertising Agencies to ask its members to offer placements to undergraduates and graduates.
He said under the scheme, advertising firms will be subsidized HK$4,000 a month for each trainee or intern they hire. The government will offer pay subsidies to a maximum of five undergraduates and five graduates at each company.
Siu said the number of placements under the scheme is yet to be confirmed but said some trainees had already started working.
He said groups are welcome to seek funding for projects that aim to nurture talent, expand the potential market, foster a more creative environment in the community and develop the city as a creative hub in the region.
Siu said no funding cap is set for each application but projects covered by the Film Development Fund, Film Guarantee Fund and DesignSmart Initiative will not be eligible.
An independent committee comprising about 40 to 50 members will be responsible for assessing funding applications, said Siu.
He expects the panel will be set up in one to two months.
The government also started its open recruitment for someone to head CreateHK yesterday.
Siu said applicants should have at least 12 years of working experience at a senior level and have proven leadership and communication skills.
The incumbent will be offered a salary of HK$142,700 a month. Applications will close June 22.
Wong Kam-sing, vice president of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects, said he hoped the fund would help his group to hold local and overseas architectural exhibitions and forums.
