The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The delegation of the Legislative Council Panel on Commerce and Industry continued the duty visit in Israel today (July 25, Israel time) to better understand the experience of Israel in the promotion of the development of the innovation and technology (I&T) industry and re-industrialisation.

     The delegation visited the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) in the morning and met with Chairman of the Economic Affairs Committee, Mr Eitan Cabel, and other Committee members to discuss issues of common interest concerning the Israeli Government's policies to develop the various industries and the Israel's experience in the application of renewable energy.

     The delegation also met with Director of the Research and Information Center of Knesset, Dr Shirley Avrami, and was briefed on the research services provided for Knesset Members. The delegation then toured the Knesset building and its energy-saving facilities to learn about the concept of sustainability carried out by "Green Knesset" and its effectiveness.

     The delegation toured the Smart City - Tel Aviv and got a touch of the application of I&T in its city planning yesterday (July 24, Israel time).

     The delegation also visited Sorek Desalination Plant (the Plant). Commissioned in 2013, the Plant is the largest seawater desalination facility in Israel. Delegation members were given an introduction on the technologies and daily operations of the Plant. All seawater desalination plants in Israel adopt the technology of reverse osmosis, which is also the technology applied to Hong Kong's Tseung Kwan O Desalination Plant scheduled for completion in 2020-2021.

     The delegation will visit the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and its technology transfer company - Yissum Research and Development this afternoon.

Ends/Tuesday, July 25, 2017
Issued at HKT 20:38

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