Ms Margaret Fong

Executive Director

Hong Kong Trade Development Council

On behalf of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), a very warm welcome to the 10th edition of the Business of IP Asia Forum (BIP Asia Forum) – a platform for IP professionals and business leaders to discuss the latest industry developments and explore opportunities for business collaboration.

The theme for this year’s Forum is: “Open Innovation: Driving Collaboration in Times of Change”, a topic that will no doubt be foremost on everyone’s mind as the world economy is buffeted by the combined winds of the global pandemic and geopolitical tensions.

The fact that the Forum this year is an online event is a reminder of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the online format helps us take the event beyond the limitations of a physical location to connect global participants to a world of industry insights and expertise.

This year’s Forum is preceded by a two-day IP manager training programme and the brand new Inspo Talk roundtable discussion to foster fruitful interactions between event participants. The keynote session on the first day will feature a discussion by industry leaders on how “open innovation” can help businesses leverage external resources, solve complex problems and generate new value. For the plenary session, IP leaders from multinational corporations will share and discuss models for collaboration between enterprises.

On the second day of the Forum, participants will have the chance to learn from international experts on their ways to explore the power of disruption. While the global pandemic has created untold disruption, it also acts as a catalyst for a new wave of revolutionary technologies. The Global Tech Summit brings together technology leaders and pioneers to discuss emerging technologies that are likely to reshape economies and redefine industries.

There will also be a broad range of breakout sessions for participants, including one on IP infrastructure and business opportunities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Additionally, despite the challenges of 2020, we were able to proceed with our open innovation competition IPHatch Hong Kong. The winners will share their experiences in converting existing IPs into innovative applications and business ideas.

I would encourage participants to also take note of the other online events we are holding in December, including the HKTDC SmartBiz Expo, HKTDC Hong Kong International Franchising Show, DesignInspire and Asian E-tailing Summit. These events will enable you to discover technologies, platforms, models and partners to support your business growth.

I would like to express my gratitude to our fellow organisers, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Hong Kong Design Centre and other supporting organisations.

I wish you all a rewarding 2020 BIP Asia Forum and the best of business in the year ahead.