ASQ InfVoices – Evolution of ‘Made in Hong Kong’

Responding to Laurel Nelson-Rowe (ASQ managing director) article in ASQ Influential Voice named “What Does “Made In…” Mean To You?” I would like to talk about Made in Hong Kong and its evolution. Manufacturing in Hong Kong (See Reference) stated the history of Hong Kong’s Industrialization. In the past, I remembered our Industrial Department arranged Quality Week (since 1995, but I don't know when it stopped). HKSQ Founder – Mr. Warner Yeh (Founding Chairman) was one of members in the ‘brains’ behind Quality Week.

During 1980s, Hong Kong is the labour-intensive industries and some famous local brands appeared. I quoted one of brands “Red A” which produced many plastic commodity products.

In 1994, CMA celebrated the 60th anniversary and performed the “Local Industrial Exhibition” (工展會) in Hong Kong annually. After Quality Evolution in many years, “Made in Hong Kong” means “Quality”, “Integrity” and “Safety” (especially compared with “Made in China”).

Hong Kong changed from Industry sector to Service sector; many different government departments promote different items in Hong Kong as follows:
1) Invested in Hong Kong – InvestHK established in July 2000. InvestHK’s vision is to strengthen Hong Kong’s status as the leading international business location in Asia.

2) Created in Hong Kong – Create Hong Kong (CreateHK) as an office dedicated to promoting the development of creative industries in Hong Kong was set up under the Communications and Technology Branch of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau in June 2009. CreateHK’s vision is to build Hong Kong into a regional creative capital.

 

3) Tested in Hong Kong, Certified in Hong Kong – Hong Kong Council for Testing and Certification (HKCTC) was established in September 2009 and then the council submitted a report to government with recommendations to promote further development of the industry on 31 March 2010. In this report, the slogan “Tested in Hong Kong, Certified in Hong Kong” was employed.

4) Startup at Hong Kong – iStartup@HK is a comprehensive one-stop portal with mobile apps for tech startups, is an initiative of the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) since 2014. iStartup@HK is positioned as a virtual pitching and networking platform for tech startups where they can showcase their products and company profile, bridging the gap between startups and potential investors.

5) Innovated in Hong Kong – I added this at the last one. Because Hong Kong government is going to establish Innovation and Technology Bureau in 2015. I hope the Bureau could consolidate resource from all innovation and technology related government departments, universities, R&D centres and Industries together to enhance the new economic environment; so as to follow China Mega Plan on “One Belt One Road” and “Made in China 2025”, as well as, facing to the era of Industry 4.0.

(Remark: HKSQ had prepared a suggestion report to the Innovation and Technology Industry. It will publish in HKSQ website soon.)

Reference:
Manufacturing in Hong Kong - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manufacturing_in_Hong_Kong
“Red A” – Star Industrial Co., Ltd. - http://www.reda.com.hk/AboutUs.aspx
InvestHK - http://www.investhk.gov.hk/index.html
CreateHK - http://www.createhk.gov.hk/en/home.htm
Briefing Forum on Report of HKCTC - http://qualityalchemist.blogspot.hk/2010/05/briefing-forum-on-report-of-hkctc.html
iStartup@HK - https://istartup.gov.hk/index.php
HKSQ’s Quality Publication - http://www.hksq.org/qua_pub.htm