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The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, visited two multinational corporations today (April 27) to keep abreast of their businesses in Hong Kong and the job opportunities they bring to young people.
The tour started with Microsoft Hong Kong Limited in Cyberport. Accompanied by the Director-General of Invest Hong Kong, Mr Simon Galpin, the Chief Executive was briefed on the company's operations as well as the latest technological trends including cloud computing technology.
Mr Tsang tried a full body motion sensing game with a controller-free, natural user interface, commanded by body movements. The application of this motion sensing technology is not just limited to gaming and entertainment. It can also be used for education purposes and, with appropriate programming, to help persons with disabilities.
Mr Tsang also experienced Surface technology, another form of natural user interface that supports multi-touch points simultaneously. It can be used in hotels, entertainment venues and customer service centres. This technology is also used in the Hong Kong Science Museum for interactive display panels.
Mr Tsang also chatted with young staff members from different cultural backgrounds about their work and lives in Hong Kong.
Microsoft set up its Hong Kong office in 1991. It employs more than 300 people, and Hong Kong is home to one of the two Microsoft data centre hubs in the Asia Pacific. Microsoft is also a strategic partner in the Hong Kong Government's Digital 21 Strategy.
The Chief Executive then proceeded to British Telecom (Hong Kong) Limited at Taikoo Place, Quarry Bay. After setting up its Hong Kong office in 1985, the company relocated its Asia Pacific regional headquarters to the city in 2004, with a view to tapping the opportunities of the growing China market. It has about 150 employees in Hong Kong at present.
The Chief Executive discussed with the senior management the business environment in Hong Kong and was briefed on the company's development.
Mr Tsang then chatted with a few of its young local employees. The company provides a three-year internship for Hong Kong university graduates and special training for higher diploma graduates in the IT discipline from the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education. Mr Tsang noted that these programmes provide good opportunities for local graduates to broaden their horizons through working in a major multinational corporation.
After viewing the company's advanced trading system, the Chief Executive had a live video conference with its employees in Beijing by using the "telepresence" technology.
"The presence of multinational corporations underlines the strengths and vibrancy of the Hong Kong economy. Apart from creating abundant high-value-added job opportunities, these companies bring in new management cultures, promote transfer of technology and enhance local creativity," the Chief Executive said.
"Local young people benefit a great deal from these rewarding work experiences, which come with international exposure and great career prospects.
"As the Financial Secretary stated in the Budget, we will step up promotion efforts and take the initiative in approaching overseas enterprises to encourage them to set up business here. We will also provide aftercare services and support to foreign companies already established in Hong Kong," he added.
At present, more than 6 500 enterprises from overseas, the Mainland and Taiwan have established a presence in Hong Kong. Together, they employ some 350 000 people.
Ends/Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Issued at HKT 18:07
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