Government Support

According to our questionnaires, most respondents consider government support for the interior design industry insufficient. Focus group participants further elaborated that the government should play a role in enhancing the public’s recognition of the profession. For example, it can build “interior design centers” where people can experience different types of interiors and the work of designers. In addition, they think the government should do more to promote Hong Kong interior designers to other countries, especially Mainland China, through conference, exhibitions and seminars. Furthermore, interior design practitioners think that the Hong Kong government can play a role in mediating disputes between Hong Kong designers and their clients, particularly in China.  A number of designers say they had experienced problems with payment arrears and contractual disputes, but due to unfamiliarity with Chinese laws, they were unable to take the matter to court. Some respondents reported that the awareness of copyright issues is different between Hong Kong and China, and the Hong Kong government can act as an advocate for the protection of intellectual property rights.