7th Design Licensing and Business Support Scheme sponsored by CCIDA kicks off
The 7th Design Licensing and Business (DLAB) Support Scheme, sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the Innovative Entrepreneur Association, held its kick-off ceremony today (January 19), announcing 39 selected local design companies.
The DLAB Support Scheme aims to provide training in marketing, brand building, and business operations, alongside professional consultancy and business matching services, to assist the selected enterprises in seizing the licensing opportunities and expanding into the Chinese Mainland and international markets. The 39 selected companies under this edition will participate in the study mission in the Greater Bay Area in late January, with a view to strengthening ties with the enterprises and exploring market potential on the Chinese Mainland. They will also exhibit at the DLAB Hong Kong Pavilion of the Hong Kong International Licensing Show 2026 organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council in April, showcasing their creative achievements and further enhancing the global visibility of Hong Kong designs.
Speaking at the kick-off ceremony today, Assistant Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries Miss Yvonne IP remarked that Hong Kong designers of the new generation have created original intellectual properties (IPs) that are contemporary and international with their unique perspectives. Their works are not only full of vitality but also embody the cultural identity and innovative spirit characteristic of Hong Kong. The Government will continue to support young designers in creating IPs and actively promote Hong Kong's IPs locally and internationally.
Since its first edition in 2018, the DLAB Support Scheme has supported over 300 local design companies, which have received over 4 000 business enquiries, reflecting the commercial potential and cross-sector collaboration appeal of Hong Kong's original IPs.
For more information on the DLAB Support Scheme, please visit www.dlabhk.com.
7th Design Licensing and Business Support Scheme sponsored by CCIDA kicks off Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
7th Design Licensing and Business Support Scheme sponsored by CCIDA kicks off Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Brussels ETO holds receptions in Spain and Ireland to celebrate Chinese New Year with local communities
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (Brussels ETO) organised Chinese New Year receptions in Barcelona, Spain, on March 4 (Barcelona time), and Dublin, Ireland, on March 5 (Dublin time), bringing together over 220 guests from local business, public and community sectors in the two countries.
Jointly organised by Brussels ETO, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), with the support of the Spain Hong Kong Business Association, the reception in Barcelona was held to coincide with the Mobile World Congress (MWC), and was well attended by guests including the Hong Kong innovation and technology (I&T) delegation attending the MWC, as well as local start-ups, enterprises and related institutions.
In her welcoming remarks, the Special Representative for the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung, highlighted that I&T had become a new growth engine for Hong Kong. "We are building a more complete innovation value chain, one that integrates basic research, commercialisation and advanced manufacturing," she said.
Ms Yung also mentioned that Hong Kong achieved a new milestone of having over 5 200 start-ups last year, representing an 11 per cent year-on-year increase. She encouraged European companies, talent and students to come to Hong Kong to leverage the opportunities arising from the rapid development of the I&T sector and related infrastructure in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Northern Metropolis.
Hong Kong's wine and liquor trade as well as related business opportunities were the special focus of the reception in Dublin. Together with the HKTDC and InvestHK, with the support of the Dublin Chamber, Brussels ETO held a business seminar before the reception with the local liquor trade to promote the business opportunities that Hong Kong offers as a leading hub for wine and liquor trading and auctions, following Hong Kong's reduction of duty on liquor with an alcoholic strength of more than 30 per cent in 2024.
Ms Yung also highlighted Hong Kong's premier role as a gateway to the Chinese Mainland and Asia, with the city strategically located at the heart of the region with world-class transport connectivity. She encouraged Irish wine and liquor traders to leverage Hong Kong as a regional hub for trading, distribution, and auctions to expand their market share on the Chinese Mainland and across the wider Asia-Pacific region.
Brussels ETO holds receptions in Spain and Ireland to celebrate Chinese New Year with local communities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Brussels ETO holds receptions in Spain and Ireland to celebrate Chinese New Year with local communities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Brussels ETO holds receptions in Spain and Ireland to celebrate Chinese New Year with local communities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Brussels ETO holds receptions in Spain and Ireland to celebrate Chinese New Year with local communities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Brussels ETO holds receptions in Spain and Ireland to celebrate Chinese New Year with local communities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Brussels ETO holds receptions in Spain and Ireland to celebrate Chinese New Year with local communities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
