Hong Kong Secretary for Commerce, Industry Technology Joseph Wong has unveiled a series of measures to buoy up Hong Kong's movie industry through the 300-million film development fund earmarked by the Financial Secretary in the 2007-08 Budget.

Wong announced that one of the proposals is to support the industry through investment by the fund.

He said the overall investment should not exceed 30 percent of the total cost.

Other proposals included organising more training courses to ease the industry's manpower shortage and enhance local and overseas promotion of Hong Kong films.

Wong hopes the Government and the industry can agree on the detailed operation of the fund by May.

After that, funding support from the Legislative Council Finance Committee will be sought with a view to formally launching the fund later this year.

(CRI.cn March 9, 2007)