************************************************************
Beijing-based Tus-Holdings Co Ltd announced today (February 5) the opening of TusPark (Hong Kong), its first innovation space in Hong Kong. In expanding in Hong Kong, the Mainland Chinese science park developer highlighted the city's fast-growing startup ecosystem.
The nine-storey TusPark (Hong Kong) facility overlooks Kowloon Bay, an area being developed by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government as an alternative central business district. Parent company Tus-Holdings is the operator of Tsinghua University Science Park (TusPark), which has become an integrated enterprise established in co-operation with Tsinghua University. In the past 20 years, Tus-Holdings has expanded its operations and replicated its successful efforts in science park development in Beijing to more than 20 cities in Mainland China, with close to 30 TusStar incubation programmes, TusPark science parks and related networks. It also spearheaded the investment and development of Silicon Valley's first Sino-America incubation programme.
Officiating at the opening of TusPark (Hong Kong), the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Gregory So, said the Government is committed to developing a vibrant startup ecosystem in Hong Kong. "Startups are the engines that would shape our future. Visionary investors and incubators like Tus-Holdings show us that by supporting startups which have the entrepreneurial passion to turn innovative and creative ideas into thriving businesses, they can become a new innovative force for Hong Kong's economy."
The Chairperson of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, Mrs Fanny Law, said, "Tus-Holdings is an experienced science park operator and a partner of our TechnoPreneur Partnership Programme. Its new hub space opening in Hong Kong is an important development in promoting exchanges between young entrepreneurs in Beijing and Hong Kong."
Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion Mr Charles Ng said, "It's encouraging to see TusPark (Hong Kong) joining Hong Kong's dynamic startup scene. To date, our city has over 35 co-work or incubation locations. TusPark (Hong Kong) will take the concept of innovation space to a new level, and bring in a wide range of technology companies, talent and related ventures to Hong Kong, hence adding to the diversity of our city's technological development."
The President of Tus-Holdings, Mr Wang Jiwu, said that the project's strategic location gives TusPark (Hong Kong) clients an invaluable competitive edge, along with the numerous amenities within the building, including a gym, showers, a café-restaurant, co-working spaces, lecture rooms, an exhibition hall, a rooftop garden and a prototyping lab. The project is being opened in phases. The first phase opening today includes the communal area comprising the exhibition and conference facilities. The incubator and co-work space floors will follow in April 2015.
Mr Wang said, "Being the single largest co-work space in Hong Kong, TusPark (Hong Kong) will also offer unique business support programmes through its unparalleled network of industry experts in Mainland China, as well as carefully curated events and seminars. This fosters a collaborative and creative environment in which startups feed off one another to grow and gain a foothold in the competitive market."
Mr Wang added, "As Asia's leading international financial centre, Hong Kong offers easy access to capital including a host of venture capitalists and angel investors whose support is crucial to the development of technology-based companies with high research and development input. The city's latest policy in providing a strategic environment for innovation and technology development has also attracted an increasing number of technology companies from around the globe. This offers a good market niche for us to extend our technology park here."
About Tus-Holdings
Tus-Holdings Co Ltd takes full responsibility for developing, constructing, operating and managing Tsinghua University Science Park. Tus-Holdings' network covers more than 20 cities and regions in Mainland China. It directly invests in or controls more than 200 companies with total assets under its management exceeding HK$37 billion. In connection with its existing facilities in Central and Causeway Bay (under the Workground brand and to be rebranded as TusPark Workhub), TusPark (Hong Kong) is now available in all major business districts of the city. For more information, please visit en.tusholdings.com.
About Invest Hong Kong
Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) is the department of the HKSAR Government established in July 2000 to attract foreign direct investment and support overseas and Mainland businesses to set up or expand in Hong Kong. It provides free advice and customised services to help businesses succeed in Hong Kong's vibrant economy. As of December 2014, InvestHK had completed over 3 440 investment projects creating more than 37 500 new jobs in the first year of operation or expansion and over HK$91 billion of investment. For more information, please visit www.investhk.gov.hk.
For event photos, please visit www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/sets/72157650638459062/.
Ends/Thursday, February 5, 2015
Issued at HKT 19:16
NNNN
