XN000022-1995-12-07 — Page 2

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HK offers combination of benefits to broadcasting industry

Hong Kong stands to benefit from the huge new opportunities offered by the expansion of Asia's broadcasting and entertainment industries, the Secretary for Recreation and Culture, Mr T H Chau, said today (Thursday).

Speaking to a visiting delegation from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Mr Chau said Hong Kong possessed a critical mass of broadcasting talent which was probably unmatched in East and Southeast Asia.

"We have the technological expertise and the people that broadcasters need. And we have a transparent and fair regulatory system which sets out clearly what is expected of broadcasters, and then leaves them to get on with running their business," he said.

Many international broadcasters have chosen to locate their regional operations in Hong Kong, including CNN, NBC and ESPN. Locally-based broadcasters, such as Star TV and Wharf Cable are pioneers in their field. And Hong Kong also looks forward to hosting the first commercial-scale VOD service in the world, to be launched by Hong Kong Telecom next year.

For those seeking to address Asia's largest market, China, there are particular benefits to locating their operations in Hong Kong.

"Nowhere else can match the combination of proximity, knowledge of market conditions, and the wide range of business and official contacts which make doing business in China so much easier," Mr Chau said.

"That's why both the Chinese Television Network and the Chinese Entertainment Television Broadcast Limited chose to set up in Hong Kong."

Mr Chau also noted that the delegation's visit to Asia was timely because "Asian broadcasting is being swept along by three powerful forces: growing affluence, deregulation of broadcasting markets, and far-reaching technological developments."