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Representing the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), the Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Nicholas W Yang, today (December 8) announced the launch of the Hong Kong-Israel Research and Development (R&D) Cooperation Programme jointly with the Consul General of the State of Israel in Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR, Mr Sagi Karni.
The Cooperation Programme is jointly implemented by the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) and MATIMOP - the Israeli Industry Centre for R&D of the Office of the Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Economy of Israel - under a bilateral framework to encourage industrial R&D collaboration and technology development between the two places. Hong Kong companies collaborating with one Israeli company or more are welcome to participate by submitting proposals to the Enterprise Support Scheme under the Innovation and Technology Fund.
Speaking at the reception, Mr Yang noted that Israel is at the forefront of science and technology development, and is one of the few places in the world where everyone will always look to find the latest and the newest ideas.
"Hong Kong's strengths in the technological R&D are our excellent technology infrastructure, robust legal system and intellectual property regime, 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," Mr Yang said.
Under the Cooperation Programme, Hong Kong and Israeli companies that are engaged in industrial R&D collaboration can apply for government funding for their joint R&D projects. Applications for the Cooperation Programme are open all year round. Details of the Programme are available on the ITC website at www.itc.gov.hk.
Ends/Tuesday, December 8, 2015
Issued at HKT 19:00
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