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The Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, said today (October 16) that joint efforts by the Government, enterprises and academia had enabled Hong Kong to consolidate the foundations of its research and development (R&D) and that industry also attached greater importance to developing new technology and design.
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Speaking at the opening ceremony of the three-day InnoCarnival 08 at Hong Kong Science Park, Mr Tsang said, ˇ§With reference to the data for 2006 released by the Census and Statistics Department, the total R&D expenditure in Hong Kong amounts to about $12 billion, representing an increase of 70% over 2001.ˇ¨
Mr Tsang pointed out that R&D expenditure by industry, as compared to Hong Kongˇ¦s total R&D expenditure, had increased from 29% in 2001 to 53% in 2006; and that full-time R&D personnel had also increased from 11,000 in 2001 to 23,000 in 2006.
ˇ§At the same time, the Small Entrepreneur Research Assistance Programme supported by the Innovation and Technology Fund and the incubation programmes supported by the Hong Kong Science Parks Corporation, the Cyberport and the InnoCentre have been well received. They have nurtured new arrays of companies and talents in technology, digital entertainment and design, many of which have established firmly in the market and have achieved remarkable development,ˇ¨ he added.
Mr Tsang said that as Hong Kong had enhanced collaboration with the Mainland in recent years, its achievements in R&D had been repeatedly recognised at the national level. Meanwhile, Hong Kong scientists have contributed to national technology development by actively participating in national technology projects. So far, Hong Kong universities have established five state key laboratories with the approval of the Ministry of Science and Technology.
Moreover, the Hong Kong and Guangdong governments have co-ordinated the R&D institutes of the two sides to carry out applied research and development together through the Guangdong-Hong Kong Technology Co-operation Funding Scheme. From 2004 to 2007, the two sides have supported about 670 projects in different technology fields with total funding of more than $1.6 billion.
Mr Tsang also noted that the governments of Shenzhen and Hong Kong succeeded in May this year in getting DuPont, a renowned technology enterprise in the United States, to locate its global business headquarters and its Solar Energy Thin Film Photovoltaic R&D Centre in Hong Kong Science Park and its manufacturing facilities in Shenzhen. This is the first highlight project under the framework of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Innovation Circle.
Mr Tsang said, ˇ§The market for renewable energy is huge. We believe that the location of DuPont in the Pearl River Delta will promote Hong Kongˇ¦s technology development, as well as giving impetus to developing related industries in Shenzhen, resulting in mutual benefits.ˇ¨
He said the SAR government would continue to support innovation and technology development, foster innovation technology culture, and encourage the community, especially the younger generation, to develop their creativity as well as interest and potential in technology.
ˇ§Indeed, the youth are the key players in the Innovation Festival 08,ˇ¨ he said.
Mr Tsang said he hoped that the community could quicken the pace of innovation and technology development so as to make Hong Kong the regional hub of innovation and technology services, supplement the National 11th Five-Year Plan and contribute to building an innovative nation.
More than 40 programme partners participated in Innovation Festival 08, including universities, the Education Bureau, professional organisations, technology enterprises, and many youth educational bodies engaged in creative and robotic activities.
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The InnoCarnival comprises four key activities: an exhibition, DesignTech workshops, seminars and competitions. Various organisations have set up pavilions or booths at Science Park Phase II to showcase their most representative works so that the public can experience ˇ§made-in-Hong-Kongˇ¨ technology achievements and creative trends. There are 50 DesignTech workshops and 20 inspiring seminars on innovation and technology. As for competitions, there are ˇ§Robot Soccer on the Internetˇ¨ , a T-shirt Design Competition, Hong Kong Tech Challenge 2008 and the World Robot Olympiad (Hong Kong Selection) to challenge studentsˇ¦ creativity, technology knowledge, organisational skills and communication skills. Meanwhile, 100 students made 1,000 solar panel cars and operated them at the InnoCarnival today.
All activities in the Innovation Festival 08 are free of charge and open to all. For details of the programmes, members of the public can refer to www.itc.gov.hk, or contact the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, the Festival Partner, at 2561 6149 or email innofest@hkfyg.org.hk.
Other guests who attended the opening ceremony today were Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mrs Rita Lau; Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Communications and Technology), Mr Duncan Pescod; Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, Mr Eddy Chan; Executive Director of The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, Dr Rosanna Wong; and Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, Mr E Anthony Tan.
Ends/Thursday, October 16, 2008
Issued at HKT 14:36
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