The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) welcomed the series of initiatives and recommendations to support the development of innovation and technology (I&T) in the 2022 Policy Address delivered by the region’s Chief Executive on 19 October 2022.
HKPC will continue to actively support the government’s ongoing efforts to develop Hong Kong into an international I&T hub and strengthen the collaboration among industry, academic and research sectors to promote the “1 to N” transformation of research and development (R&D) outcomes and the industry development, further enhance the local R&D ecosystem and industry chain, and press ahead with the reindustrialisation of Hong Kong and development of smart manufacturing.
HKPC is inspired by the government’s Policy Address to offer all-round support for the I&T development of Hong Kong and to dedicate more resources to the I&T industry. HKPC actively promotes the development of a high-value-added industry, supports the upgrading and transformation of traditional industries of Hong Kong through I&T, and works to facilitate the commercialisation of R&D outcomes and enlarge the I&T talent pool.
Leveraging its close ties with the industry, HKPC will serve as a bridge between the government and the industry. Through advanced technology, FutureSkills training and government funding, HKPC will fully support local enterprises, promote the dual-track development of Hong Kong’s I&T and reindustrialisation, tell Hong Kong’s I&T stories, and promote Hong Kong as an international I&T hub.
HKPC will also help the government circulate the Hong Kong I&T Development Blueprint this year to establish major policies under four broad development directions: to enhance the I&T ecosystem and achieve reindustrialisation in Hong Kong; to enlarge the I&T talent pool to create a strong impetus for growth; to develop Hong Kong into a smart city to improve the quality of life of Hong Kong people and to proactively integrate into the overall development of the country and consolidate Hong Kong’s advantages as an international city. HKPC will also provide comprehensive support to enterprises in strategic industries such as life and health technology, artificial intelligence and data science, financial technology, advanced manufacturing and new energy technology.
The Policy Address goal of achieving carbon neutrality before 2050 was also welcomed; HKPC will help kick-start practical and applicable R&D projects in energy conservation, green transportation and waste reduction for all, in line with the government’s efforts to reduce the total carbon emissions by 50% before 2035 (from the 2005 level).
In addition, according to the Policy Address, the government will ramp up the promotion of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) education, building a solid foundation for students to join the booming I&T development envisioned for Hong Kong.
HKPC currently provides diversified training courses for academic and industry sectors, striving to nurture new talents for I&T and business industries, and create upward mobility opportunities for young people. By 2022 end, a new TechEd Playground and STEAM exhibition hall will open at the HKPC building, with the aim of becoming an exchange and integrated platform to strengthen and connect talent training and reinforcing HKPC’s commitment to enlarging the local talent pool.
With a firm R&D foundation, HKPC is committed to supporting the central government and the HKSAR government to implement Hong Kong’s I&T and reindustrialisation policies to help Hong Kong enterprises enhance their competitiveness and promote sustainable development.
HKPC will also focus on playing its significant role in the nation’s dual circulation strategy, deepening the cooperation between Hong Kong and the Mainland, and actively integrating into the nation’s overall development. This includes supporting Mainland enterprises to apply technologies in Hong Kong, assisting them to “go global”, and accelerating the internationalisation of Mainland technologies to expand business opportunities for local and Mainland enterprises.
