SCED visits Kwai Tsing District

     The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, today (March 11) visited Kwai Tsing District, where he toured a social enterprise and a training centre for the fashion and textile industry. He also met with members of the Kwai Tsing District Council (K&TDC) to get a better understanding of the district's latest developments and needs.

     Mr Yau first visited the Hatch, a social enterprise funded and run by Social Ventures Hong Kong, where he was briefed on its operation and vision. Operated with the concept of "co-working factory", the Hatch endeavours to co-operate with local enterprises in rebuilding "Made in Hong Kong" brands, and to provide employment opportunities with a family-friendly and flexible working environment for women from grass-roots families in the district.

     During the visit, Mr Yau chatted with employees there to learn about their work. He praised the Hatch for its innovative business concept that brings social enterprise and industry together, saying that it is an effective application of design thinking.  

     Mr Yau then visited the Pro-Act Training and Development Centre (Fashion Textiles), a member institution of the Vocational Training Council. He toured the workshops on woven and knitted fabric as well as fabric inspection, and chatted with trainees there, to get to know some of the latest technologies in the industry.

     Mr Yau said he was pleased to note that the Centre has been providing diversified courses to groom talents for the fashion and textile industry, meeting the sector's increasing demands for automation and technological input to perform value-added manufacturing operations. He said the Government is committed to promoting the development of the fashion industry through various measures, which include funding the Fashion Incubation Programme and launching the design and fashion project in Sham Shui Po, so as to nurture local fashion talents and brands.
       
     Before concluding his district visit, Mr Yau met with K&TDC members to exchange views on district matters such as broadcasting, telecommunications and tourism.