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Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) and the Administrative Committee of Wuhan East Lake High-Tech Development Zone (WEHDZ) recently joined forces to host a pivotal investment drive in Wuhan, Hubei Province, aimed at galvanising local high-tech enterprises to harness Hong Kong’s distinctive business advantages amidst the evolving landscape of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) development, paving the way for expansive growth opportunities overseas.
Titled “Opportunities for Wuhan and Hong Kong: Collaborative Development of Innovation and Technology,” the seminar served as a platform of collaboration, uniting key stakeholders including InvestHK, WEHDZ, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Wuhan (WHETO), the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES), and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), with strong support from relevant local government offices.
Dr Jimmy Chiang, Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK, set the stage with an emphasis on Hong Kong’s pivotal role as an international innovation and technology (I&T) hub. He highlighted the city’s commitment to reinforcing its traditional status as a global financial, transportation, and trade centre, alongside its burgeoning position as a focal point for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region.
The significance of Hong Kong’s proactive steps to evolve into a leading international I&T hub was outlined in the recently released Policy Address by the Chief Executive. The policies outlined in the address underscored Hong Kong’s commitment to supporting the growth of I&T enterprises, aligning seamlessly with the broader national strategy.
Dr Chiang also highlighted Hong Kong’s longstanding collaboration with Wuhan, noting Hong Kong’s status as the largest source of foreign direct investment in Wuhan and one of its principal business and trade partners. He expressed optimism that enterprises in Wuhan could leverage Hong Kong’s professional services and I&T advantages to expand their footprint overseas, further solidifying Hong Kong’s role as a bridge between mainland China and the world.
Echoing Dr Chiang’s sentiments, Mr Li Shiting, representing the Administrative Committee of WEHDZ, emphasised the pivotal role of innovation in driving high-quality development, stressing the importance of openness and cooperation in fostering innovative growth. He underscored Hong Kong’s unique position as an international financial, trade, shipping, and I&T hub, boasting abundant resources across various domains and offering a plethora of cooperative opportunities with WEHDZ in the realm of I&T and industrial development.
Mr Franco Kwok, Director of WHETO, elaborated on the recent budgetary measures in Hong Kong designed to bolster I&T development, paving the way for the city’s transformation into an international I&T powerhouse. He emphasised the alignment between Wuhan’s aspirations as a national science and technology innovation centre and Hong Kong’s trajectory as an emerging international I&T hub, highlighting the inherent synergies between the two regions and their vast potential for cooperative development.
The seminar also witnessed presentations from representatives of various organisations, including the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation and industry players from Wuhan and Hong Kong, exploring cooperative opportunities and sharing insights on navigating the dynamic landscape of I&T development.
The discussions also delved into the emerging cooperative opportunities between Wuhan and Hong Kong in the realm of I&T development. Representatives from leading enterprises and industry experts engaged in robust discussions on integration and collaboration prospects in I&T industries, offering valuable insights into expanding and upgrading business operations through strategic synergies between the two cities.
The culmination was a renewed commitment from both sides to foster closer collaboration and capitalise on the shared opportunities for innovation-led growth and development in Wuhan and Hong Kong.
