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In 2023, the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) secured a total of 103 awards and recognitions, marking a stride in the realms of innovation and technology (I&T). The achievement encompasses a growth of over 20% in I&T awards compared to the preceding year, with 83 of the accolades specifically dedicated to innovation and technology initiatives. A substantial portion of these, 33 to be precise, were attributed to groundbreaking projects related to new industrialisation.
Participating in 53 competitions throughout the year, HKPC showcased an impressive success rate, clinching victory in 18 competitions, including esteemed events such as the “2023 Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions,” the “Edison Awards,” and the “TechConnect 2023 Innovation Awards.” Noteworthy triumphs include two gold and six silver medals at the “3rd Asia Exhibition of Innovations & Inventions Hong Kong,” spanning across categories like “Smart City” and “Intelligent Transportation and Industry.” This accomplishment is particularly significant considering the competitive landscape, which brought together inventive contributions from Hong Kong and neighbouring regions.
Young engineers at HKPC have also made substantial contributions, securing five individual awards across different research areas within the I&T field. The team’s notable success in green transport and smart city initiatives, particularly the development of an environmental hydrogen technology solution, earned them the “Best Paper Award” at the 4th International Symposium on Nano Technology and Smart Materials for Environmental Applications (ISNSEA 2023).
As I&T continues to permeate diverse industries, HKPC has employed advanced manufacturing technology, artificial intelligence (AI), smart manufacturing, and digitalisation to craft tailor-made solutions for various sectors. The organisation has optimised production line performance through the industrial metaverse, introduced Hong Kong’s first tunnel inspection system based on drone and onboard AI processing technologies, and elevated tunnel structural inspections to an intelligent and data-driven system.
In collaboration with clients, HKPC has co-developed an intelligent packaging system for pharmaceutical products, aiding the traditional Chinese medicine industry’s transition towards intelligent pharmaceutical development.
Significantly, almost 80% of the projects that received I&T awards have already been commercialised, providing crucial support for the development of emerging strategic industries. This success facilitates enterprises in Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area (GBA), and overseas regions to seize opportunities for new industrialisation through advanced technology, FutureSkills, and government funding.
Beyond research and development (R&D) achievements, HKPC has garnered 20 awards in areas such as SME ReachOut, FutureSkills talent nurturing, and occupational safety. The “HKPC Funding Schemes” have played a pivotal role as the secretariat or implementing agent of 10 Government funding schemes, supporting the development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Simultaneously, “HKPC FutureSkills” has committed to providing integrated and high-value training services to equip employees with future-oriented skills, enhancing the competitiveness of enterprises.
The Executive Director of HKPC expressed gratitude for the innovative spirit and dedicated research of the team, which led to the organisation’s remarkable achievements in 2023. Looking ahead, HKPC remains committed to being a core enabler in the new industrialisation in the Greater Bay Area, promoting the application of I&T in various aspects of daily life. The organisation aims to bring tangible benefits to citizens, fulfilling their lives through the continued implementation of the motto “Innovation Never Stops.”
Looking ahead, the organisation aims to further innovation, strengthen R&D transfer and application capabilities, focus on new industrialisation initiatives, and foster collaborative partnerships among the government, industry, academia, and research institutes. Furthermore, HKPC is dedicated to the crucial task of nurturing an I&T workforce and expanding the pool of talent, contributing to the building of a brighter future for Hong Kong.
