Five Hong Kong banks have joined the Intellectual Property Department in promoting intellectual capital management (ICM) under the secondphase of the Intellectual Capital Management Consultancy Programme launchedtoday (March 2). The five Partnering Lending Institutions (PLIs) are the Bankof China (Hong Kong) Limited, Chong Hing BankLimited, Citi Commercial Bank, Hang Seng Bank Limited, and the Bank of EastAsia Limited.
The banks will offer more favourable financial and/or service privileges to successful business loan applicants who have prepared their own intellectualcapital reports. This is a win-win arrangement as companies preparing intellectualcapital reports provide important non-financial data that can help financialinstitutions identify good customers. This in turn helps small businessesbecome more competitive when seeking finance.
Speaking at the launching ceremony, the Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Gregory So, said, “In recent years, the governmenthas been promoting the importance of intellectual capital among small andmedium enterprises and how they can make the best use of it. Intellectualcapital is a significant asset for an enterprise that can help maximise itsbusiness potential.”
Chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, Mr Cliff Sun, said, “Intellectual property and intellectual capital management contribute tothe development of a knowledge-based economy. We hope that more SMEs in Hong Kong can benefit from the Government’s ICM programme.”
Chairman of Lan Kwai Fong Holdings Limited, Dr Allan Zeman, said Lan Kwai Fong was a company with valuable human and relational capital. “I am happy to be taking part in the programmeand keen to see how it will empower my business through uncovering andexploiting our hidden intangible assets.” Lan Kwai Fong Holdings Limited is thefirst organisation to join the second phase of the programme.
Under the second phase of the programme which lasts until the end of the year, free consultancy services will be offered to enterprises, especially SMEs,on cultivating and managing their intangible assets with a view to realisingnew business opportunities, reducing business risk and strengthening theirprotection of intellectual property.
More than 320 organisations joined the first phase of the programme in 2009, among which 14 have published company intellectual capital reports. MrSo and Mr Sun presented awards to the representatives of these organisations torecognise their commitment to ICM.
The programme is organised by the Intellectual Property Department and co-organised by the Innovation and Technology Commission and the Trade andIndustry Department. It has also gainedvaluable support from the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, Hong Kong BrandsProtection Alliance, Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, Hong KongGeneral Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong Productivity Council, Hong Kong Scienceand Technology Parks Corporation, Hong Kong Small and Medium EnterprisesAssociation, Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Manufacturing EnterpriseIntegration and Innovation Association, the Chinese General Chamber ofCommerce, the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong, the Hong KongChamber of Small and Medium Business Ltd., the Hong Kong ChineseImporters’& Exporters’ Association and the Hong Kong Council of SocialService.
Participating organisations will be provided with a free set of training materials and a certificate to recognise their participation. Details of the programme can be found on www.ipd.gov.hk/eng/icm.htm
Ends/Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Comments
Of considerable concern in Hong Kong's continuing risk averse organizational culture. This is a critical barrier to introducing new thought and moving from task to outcome. I must review my notes as a refresher on IPD's ICM Lite. Is this a focus?