MUMBAI: The Hong Kong(HK) film and television industry contributed HK$33 billion to the local economy and created more than 32,000 jobs in 2008, according to a report commissioned by the International Federation Against Copyright Theft – Greater China (IFACT-GC), which represents the Motion Picture Association (MPA) in the territory.

Launched at the Hong Kong International Film & TV Market (FILMART) 2010, the report on The Economic Contribution of the Hong Kong Film and Television Industry is the first of its kind to comprehensively measure the direct, indirect and induced economic impacts made by the film and television industry  in Hong Kong.

In addition to HK$33 billion in gross output, the industry also generated a total of HK$6 billion value-add to Hong Kong’s economy in 2008.

"The findings highlight the role of the Hong Kong film and television industry as an economic driver. Hong Kongers have always taken pride in the industry and the report suggests that there are good economic reasons for doing so," said Motion Picture Association president and managing director  Asia-Pacific Mike Ellis.

The study, conducted by Artisan Gateway, revealed that the Hong Kong film and television industry comprised 1,170 businesses in 2008.

The report also confirms the leading role of the Hong Kong film and television industry in the region –  with the highest per capita film and TV production in Asia – as well as acknowledges the growing importance of China as the largest distribution market for Hong Kong-made film and television productions.

"The report provides useful quantitative figures for us to evaluate the contribution of the film and television industry and an opportunity to look beyond to see what should be done to facilitate the further development of the industry," said IFACT-GC executive director and general manager Sam Ho.

The veterans of the industry also discussed on how to effectively protect the industry by means of the proposed Graduated Response System. The system aims to combat illegal online file sharing by an escalating series of educational notices and sanctions against identified repeat infringers.

"We have always known that our industry’s contribution was not insignificant, and now this landmark report proves it, That’s even more reason why we should all very concerned about the increasing ease of illegal online downloading and file sharing. There is definitely a pressing need to step up the online copyright to safeguard the future of the industry," said Hong Kong, Kowloon & New Territories Motion Picture Industry Association Limited CEO Brian Chung.

"We have confirmation now that our work and our industry is simply too important to Hong Kong’s economy to let illegal online downloading ruin it," added Film Workshop Co. Limited executive director Nansun Shi.