Following is the speech by the Permanent Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, at the opening ceremony of the 31st International Organization for Standardization (ISO) / Technical Committee 176 (ISO/TC 176) Plenary Meeting today (November 23):

Mrs Altoft, distinguished duests, dadies and gentlemen,

Good morning.

It is my great honour to have the opportunity of speaking here to mark the opening of the 31st ISO/TC 176 Plenary Meeting. On behalf of the Innovation and Technology Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, I wish to extend a very warm welcome to you all.

Three days ago, the Innovation and Technology Bureau was established and commenced operation after a restructuring of government bureaux in Hong Kong. I was appointed to lead the team of civil servants in the new bureau. The Innovation and Technology Commission, which plays host to the ISO/TC 176 meeting for the first time, is one of the executive departments of the bureau.

Despite the recent change in government bureau structure, our commitment to quality management and adoption of international standards remains unchanged. Hong Kong has been a Correspondent Member of the ISO for nearly 50 years since the days when manufacturing industry was the largest contributor to our economy. Testing and certification sector started the provision of third-party conformity assessment services to the manufacturing sector and support our exports to different economies.

Today, the local manufacturing sector contributes just about two per cent to Hong Kong's GDP (gross domestic product). We have transformed into a service economy. The demand for testing and certification, however, remains strong and has even grown over the years. Hong Kong no longer relies on manufacturing but our economy is still a major user of different ISO standards. We have fewer factories, but a large number of banks, trading companies, restaurants etc. are providing quality services here according to international standards and ISO 9001 is pretty much a household name. Our quality management standards such as ISO 50001, are also catching up with more businesses adopting them to fulfill contractual requirements or to demonstrate their ability to clients.

As a Special Administrative Region, Hong Kong's position is unique in China. Under the "One Country, Two Systems" principle, Hong Kong people rule Hong Kong with a high degree of autonomy, the Government of Hong Kong can enter into international agreements with foreign governments, and Hong Kong is, for example, a full member of the WHO (World Health Organization) and WTO (World Trade Organization) in our own right. We are the "super-connector" between the Mainland of China and the rest of the world.

Hong Kong embraces international standards readily and we are often an early adopter of new ISO standards. As an international trading and financial hub, and an economy of seven million people, there is no comparable economy in the world that adopts international standards as open as Hong Kong and does not even set up a centralised standard setting body. Hong Kong welcomes different ideas, and we are a great adopter of different standards, as well as a harmoniser of ideas and standards developed in China and overseas.

Our Government here believes that there is vast potential for the testing and certification sector. Businesses from Mainland China can bring their products to Hong Kong for testing and certification, or our professionals can carry out their work in the Mainland. Hong Kong experts are familiar with different ISO standards and the requirements of overseas clients. At the same time, we are also familiar with the culture and practice in Mainland China and the relevant national standards. We offer one-stop service to Chinese and overseas clients and connect them in this city.

Other than our position in China, Hong Kong's testing and certification sector is also supported by a robust accreditation system, a sound legal system, efficient logistics infrastructure, and the high integrity and professionalism of the practitioners. "Tested in Hong Kong, Certified in Hong Kong" is not an empty slogan. To the contrary, this epitomises our commitment to quality and high professional standards.

Talking about certification and quality management, I must let you know that ISO 9001 is one of the most widely adopted standards in Hong Kong. Its importance to trade and industry is beyond doubt. Since the ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems were first published in 1987, the Government and local businesses have been strongly supporting the certification system. According to the ISO Survey 2014, there were over 2 000 valid certificates in Hong Kong issued in 2013. You may well have already noticed that, from public buses to bakeries in Hong Kong, they are proudly telling the world that they have been certified to ISO 9001. Quality management system is truly in the hearts and minds of Hong Kong's businesses.

This ISO/TC 176 meeting provides a good opportunity for us to learn from the experts, strengthen our external ties, and introduce Hong Kong's testing and certification services to the leaders. It is also meaningful to hold this meeting right after the latest edition of ISO 9001 was published in late September this year. I am sure delegates would have a lot to discuss on how to promote and improve the new system.

Lastly, as I said at the very beginning, while the Innovation and Technology Bureau is new, Hong Kong's steadfast commitment to ISO continues. Our experts will continue to join various Technical Committees and support their work. We look forward to more collaboration with our friends from around the region and the other parts of the world.

I wish the meetings runaway success and a very pleasant stay in our city to you all. Thank you very much.

- ENDS -