USCST Calls for Tech-Fashion Integration at Opening of Fashion Summit (HK) 2026 International Conference

Speech by USCST at opening ceremony of "Fashion Summit (HK) 2026 International Conference"

Following is the speech by the Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau, at the opening ceremony of the "Fashion Summit (HK) 2026 International Conference" today (September 3):

The Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau, Photo source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Roger (Chairman of the Clothing Industry Training Authority (CITA), Mr Roger Chan), Sunny (Member of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Legislative Council (Textiles and Garment), Mr Sunny Tan), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning. It is my pleasure to join you at the International Conference of the "Fashion Summit (HK) 2026" today. I extend a very warm welcome to our distinguished speakers from the Chinese Mainland and overseas, who have come from afar to share their insights at this annual event.

Since its inaugural edition in 2017, the "Fashion Summit (HK)" has received strong support from the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the Hong Kong SAR Government.

It is truly encouraging to see how this conference has gone from strength to strength over the years, having expanded not only in scale, but also in influence and international standing. Today, the "Fashion Summit (HK)" has become a leading platform where industry leaders, innovators and designers come together to exchange ideas, explore opportunities, and advance sustainable fashion.

This year's theme, "Code the Fashion Forward", is both timely and thought provoking. The Fashion industry has entered into a new era shaped by technology including the growing use of big data and artificial intelligence (AI). Technology should not only drive business growth, but also help the industry move forward with greater sustainability. In other words, the future of fashion should be smarter, as well as greener.

Digital transformation is undoubtedly reshaping the industry. Yet, in the heart of fashion, the most crucial components remain deeply human, namely, creativity, craftmanship and storytelling. Hong Kong is uniquely positioned in the way where innovation and tradition do not compete, but complement each other instead.

This spirit of blending tradition with innovation is reflected in today's lineup: across six panel discussions, speakers will explore how data, technology and creative media are transforming the fashion industry. They will share insights on topics ranging from agile consumer models and AI-enabled green retail strategies to the enduring legacy of sartorial tailoring, as well as the growing influence of fashion storytelling from screen to wardrobe. Together, these conversations will show that the possibilities ahead are so wide ranging and full of promises.

The "Fashion Summit (HK)" is once again one of the flagship programmes of the Hong Kong Fashion Fest presented by the Government of the Hong Kong SAR this year. With the vision of strengthening Hong Kong's position as a fashion design hub in Asia, the Fashion Fest brings together leading names from the global fashion industry through an array of programmes. It fosters collaboration, sparks creativity and opens doors to new opportunities. A wide range of events of the Fashion Fest are happening across the city till September 14, I encourage you all to experience Hong Kong's dynamic fashion scene firsthand.

Today's conference aside, CITA is also hosting the "Fashion Summit (HK)" exhibition at Jardine House in Central and "Wear's HK" which showcases the collections of 20 talented local fashion designers in six pop-up stores across the city. I sincerely invite you all to visit these stores, to experience the creativity and energy of our city, and to show your support to our local young fashion designers by making purchases on-site.

Before I close, I would like to congratulate CITA on organising yet another very successful edition of the "Fashion Summit (HK)", and thank all our speakers in advance for contributing their valuable insights. I am confident that today's conference will generate fresh ideas, deepen collaboration, and help shape a more innovative and sustainable future for fashion.

I wish the conference every success. Thank you.

Fashion Summit (HK) 2026 International Conference, Photo source: hongkongfashionfest.com

Results of monthly survey on business situation of small and medium-sized enterprises for August 2026

The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (September 9) the results of the Monthly Survey on Business Situation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) for August 2026.

The current diffusion index (DI) on business receipts amongst SMEs increased from 43.8 in July 2026 in the contractionary zone to 44.1 in August 2026, whereas the one-month’s ahead (i.e. September 2026) outlook DI on business receipts was 47.6. Analysed by sector, the current DIs on business receipts amongst SMEs for some surveyed sectors rose in August 2026 as compared with previous month, particularly for the restaurants (from 40.2 to 44.0) and real estate (from 45.2 to 48.5).

The current DI on new orders for the import and export trades decreased from 45.0 in July 2026 to 44.8 in August 2026, whereas the outlook DI on new orders in one month’s time (i.e. September 2026) was 47.4.

Commentary

A Government spokesman said that business sentiment among SMEs improved in August. The current diffusion index on business receipts reached a three-month high, and the outlook index rose to a six-month high. While the real estate sector outlook index remained above the 50-point threshold in the expansionary zone, the restaurants and retail trade sectors recorded the largest improvements in business outlook among various sectors. Meanwhile, the overall employment situation was largely steady.

Looking ahead, solid growth in the Hong Kong economy will provide continued support to business confidence. However, external headwinds are still evolving. The Government will continue to closely monitor the situation.

Further information

The Monthly Survey on Business Situation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises aims to provide a quick reference, with minimum time lag, for assessing the short-term business situation faced by SMEs. SMEs covered in this survey refer to companies with fewer than 50 persons engaged. Respondents were asked to exclude seasonal fluctuations in reporting their views. Based on the views collected from the survey, a set of diffusion indices (including current and outlook diffusion indices) is compiled. A reading above 50 indicates that the business condition is generally favourable, whereas that below 50 indicates otherwise. As for statistics on the business prospects of prominent companies in Hong Kong, users may refer to the publication entitled "Report on Quarterly Business Tendency Survey" released by the C&SD.

 

The results of the survey should be interpreted with care. The survey solicits feedback from a panel sample of about 600 SMEs each month and the survey findings are thus subject to sample size constraint. Views collected from the survey refer only to those of respondents on their own companies rather than those on the respective sectors they are engaged in. Besides, in this type of opinion survey on expected business situation, the views collected in the survey are affected by the events in the community occurring around the time of enumeration, and it is difficult to establish precisely the extent to which respondents' perception of the business situation accords with the underlying trends. For this survey, main bulk of the data were collected around the last week of the reference month.

More detailed statistics are given in the "Report on Monthly Survey on the Business Situation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises". Users can browse and download the publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1080015&scode=300).

Users who have enquiries about the survey results may contact Industrial Production Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7246; email: sme-survey@censtatd.gov.hk).

Source: AI-found images