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Following is the speech by the Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Nicholas W Yang, at the reception for Official Launch of the Hong Kong-Israel Research and Development Cooperation Programme this afternoon (December 8):
Consul General (Sagi) Karni, ladies and gentlemen, media friends, everyone here, potential partners of this programme,
Good afternoon.
A warm welcome to all of you for joining this reception to mark the official launch of the Hong Kong-Israel Research and Development (R&D) Cooperation Programme.
Last year, Hong Kong and Israel signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the aim to fostering the economic development of both Hong Kong and Israel through the promotion of technology development. The Innovation and Technology Commission and MATIMOP, which is the Israeli Industry Centre for R&D of the Office of the Chief Scientist in Israel, have since been working closely together to design a joint R&D Cooperation Programme. Under this Programme, Hong Kong and Israeli companies that are engaged in R&D collaboration could apply for government funding for their joint R&D projects. I am glad that the efforts are now bearing fruit.
The launch of the Hong Kong-Israel R&D Cooperation Programme is indeed very timely. It follows the establishment of the Innovation and Technology Bureau. We certainly look forward to this programme's contribution to Hong Kong's innovation and technology development, particularly in re-industrialisation and human capital, because we know the Israelis are very smart.
As we all know, Israel is at the forefront of science and innovative technology development, and it is one of the few places in the world where everyone will always look to find the latest and the best ideas. Hong Kong's strengths in the technological R&D are our excellent technology infrastructure, robust legal system and intellectual property protection regime, as well as our world-class tertiary institutions and outstanding R&D talents. Our business community, well recognised for its creative ideas and acute business sense, is connected and attuned to the markets in this region and especially the Mainland of China. When the business and technology communities of both Hong Kong and Israel join forces, they would no doubt generate sparkles that would shine in the global technological landscape.
The Hong Kong-Israel R&D Cooperation Programme marks a new milestone in our endeavour to forge closer ties in the private sector, creating new opportunities, and, perhaps the most important of all, make new friends and partners.
Thank you.
Ends/Tuesday, December 8, 2015
Issued at HKT 17:50
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