LegCo Panel on Commerce and Industry concludes duty visit to Israel (with photos)
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The delegation of the Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Commerce and Industry concluded its duty visit in Israel yesterday (July 27, Israel time) and returned to Hong Kong today (July 28).
Before departing for Hong Kong, the delegation visited Viola, a technology oriented private equity investment group in Israel, to gain an understanding of its operation and role in raising capitals for technology start-ups. Delegation members also exchanged views with the representatives of Viola on the investment prospect of the innovation and technology (I&T) industry and the government's role in supporting the industry in Israel.
During the five-day visit, delegation members met with Israeli Government officials, Members of the Israeli Parliament and the representatives of I&T and technology transfer companies to learn the policies and initiatives relevant to the promotion of industrial research and development (R&D), and exchanged views on the development and facilitation of the growth of the I&T industry and re-industrialisation in the country.
Leader of the delegation, Mr Wu Chi-wai said that the duty visit served as an effective platform for delegation members to obtain first-hand information and useful reference for further discussion with government officials on the formulation of better policies and measures to propel the development of the I&T industry in Hong Kong.
"Given the similarities between Hong Kong and Israel in terms of population size and the lack of natural resources, I am sure that the Hong Kong Government can make reference to the experience of Israel as a start-up nation in spearheading the development of the I&T industry, especially the support measures of facilitating the collaboration between academic and business sector for commercialising R&D outputs and fostering a favourable environment for the growth of the industry," Mr Wu said.
Meanwhile, on behalf of the delegation, Mr Wu Chi-wai expressed his heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Consul General of Israel in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Macao Special Administrative Region for inviting the delegation to conduct a five-day visit to Israel. "We are thankful for the warmest hospitality the delegation received during our stay in Israel," Mr Wu added.
Led by the Chairman of the LegCo Panel on Commerce and Industry, Mr Wu Chi-wai, the delegation conducted a duty visit in Israel from July 23 to 27. Other members of the delegation are Mr Paul Tse, Mr Ma Fung-kwok, Mr Charles Mok, Dr Lo Wai-kwok, Mr Chung Kwok-pan, as well as non-Panel Members Dr Helena Wong, Mr Alvin Yeung and Dr Junius Ho.
Ends/Friday, July 28, 2017
Issued at HKT 18:45
Issued at HKT 18:45
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