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The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Gregory So, representing the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Co-operation in the Fields of Innovation Policies and Innovative Solutions today (August 22) with the President of the Skåne Regional Council in the Kingdom of Sweden, Ms Annika Annerby Jansson, and the Vice-Chancellor of Kristianstad University, Professor Sanimir Resic, who was representing the Lärosäten Syd - Universities in southern Sweden.
Impressed by Skåne's creative design and groundbreaking science and technological innovations, Mr So welcomed closer co-operation between Hong Kong and Skåne.
Speaking at the MOU signing ceremony, Mr So said, "Recognising that the challenges of stimulating innovation and economic growth are of mutual interest to both Hong Kong and Skåne, we have thus reached the understanding of sharing the experience and engaging in more co-operation activities in the fields of innovation policies and innovative solutions."
The MOU covers six areas of co-operation, namely smart sustainable cities, personal health, smart materials, life science, food sciences and design.
"Developing and strengthening co-operation in these six areas will bring mutual benefits to the sustainable development of Hong Kong and Skåne. The MOU will inspire more bilateral innovative activities between Hong Kong and Skåne," Mr So added.
The Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, Miss Janet Wong, said she was delighted to see the signing of the MOU today and looked forward to seeing more exchanges and collaboration between the two places.
She said, "Hong Kong will benefit from Skåne's experience in nurturing innovative activities while Skåne can leverage on Hong Kong's advantages to tap into the vast network of opportunities in this region."
The MOU came into effect today.
Ends/Friday, August 22, 2014
Issued at HKT 16:31
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