Hong Kong designers are exploring new business opportunities in Jiangsu Province following a three-day mission to Nanjing aimed at strengthening creative and commercial ties between the two places.
The inaugural Hong Kong Design Mission to Nanjing, held from 21 to 23 September, was jointly organised by the Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC) and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), with the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency as lead sponsor.
The delegation brought together 15 Hong Kong designers in areas including architecture and interiors, product design, branding and packaging, visual and spatial arts, and fashion.
Leveraging its expansive network in the Chinese Mainland, the HKTDC worked with HKDC to arrange meetings with government departments and leading Jiangsu enterprises, giving participants insights into local policies, market trends and potential areas for collaboration.
The programme included meetings with cultural and tourism organisations, retail outlets and fashion houses, as well as visits to urban renewal projects in Nanjing. Delegates also attended the Jiangsu-Hong Kong Creative Design Cooperation Business Matching Forum, where 120 targeted business-matching sessions were held with companies and organisations from across Jiangsu.
Potential opportunities discussed ranged from developing cultural tourism and creative products to collaborations in branding, fashion, retail and urban development.
“The HKTDC has long been committed to supporting the development of the creative industries,” said HKTDC Associate Executive Director Anna Cheung. She highlighted the Council’s major creative industry-related exhibitions and conferences such as DesignInspire and CENTRESTAGE – along with its business missions and global network – as channels helping Hong Kong designers expand into Mainland and overseas markets.
Following the mission, organisers will continue discussions on specific collaboration opportunities, including the possibility of signing memoranda of understanding between organisations in the two regions.