'HK Has A Unique Role In IP Development'

The Director-General of the World Intellectual Property Organisation, Daren Tang, on Thursday hailed Hong Kong's strategic positioning for developing intellectual property businesses.

Speaking to RTHK at the 12th Business of Intellectual Property Asia Forum, Tang said the city has brought together IP experts and provided opportunities for exchanges.

"Hong Kong is a place where east meets west. You've got the ability to navigate between different cultures. You're the gateway to mainland China and also the gateway the other way around. This is very powerful. Hong Kong has the ability to bring people together because IP is collaborative," he said.

Speaking at the same forum, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau echoed Tang's views, describing Hong Kong's role as unique in the development of intellectual property.

"Hong Kong remains the only place in the world where the global advantage and the China advantage come together in a single city. This unique convergence makes Hong Kong the irreplaceable connection between the mainland and the rest of the world," he said.

"With Hong Kong's strong IP protection regime, sound legal and judicial systems, and sophisticated professional services sectors, we strongly believe that Hong Kong is in a unique position to become a regional centre for IP trading to tap the flourishing IP market and tremendous business opportunities in mainland China and beyond."

Meanwhile, Rowel Barba, chairman of ASEAN Working Group on IP Cooperation said Hong Kong is advanced in the development of intellectual property compared to Southeast Asian countries.