Promote transformation of R&D outcomes of Hong Kong higher education institutions and support high-quality development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (with photos)
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     ​The Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the People's Government of Guangdong Province, the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau, and the Guangdong Technology Financial Group Co. Ltd. (Guangdong Technology Financial Group) jointly organised a conference in Guangzhou today (May 17) to promote transformation of research and development (R&D) outcomes of Hong Kong higher education institutions and support the high-quality development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). The Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Ms Maisie Chan, attended the conference in Guangzhou and delivered a speech.
      
     The conference aimed to capitalise on the strengths of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao co-operation, build a platform for the integrated development, exchange and co-operation of scientific research, talents, financial and industrial resources, etc. in the GBA, promote precise matching of innovation and technology (I&T) projects of Hong Kong higher education institutions with financial resources, accelerate the flow of innovation resources between Guangdong and Hong Kong, advance the development of the GBA into a new highland for global I&T investments, and nurture "new quality productive forces" in the GBA. A total of 13 I&T teams from Guangdong and Hong Kong participated in the roadshow.
      
     Speaking at the conference, Ms Chan said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will proactively encourage various sectors of the community to develop "new quality productive forces", including supporting the local I&T sector to visit the Mainland more often, especially the Mainland cities of the GBA, for exchange and interaction, so as to keep up with the latest development of "new quality productive forces" in the Mainland. The Government is dedicated to achieving the construction of a more comprehensive and globally competitive I&T industry chain by promoting complementarity and development between Hong Kong and Mainland cities of the GBA.
      
     Ms Chan pointed out that, taking into account Hong Kong's social and economic situations, the Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint promulgated by the HKSAR Government provides a clear development path and systematic strategic plan to chart Hong Kong in moving towards the vision of an international I&T centre. In particular, promoting the comprehensive development of upstream, midstream and downstream sectors to form an extensive I&T ecosystem chain is the key to developing "new quality productive forces". The HKSAR Government and the Shenzhen Municipal Government are actively pursuing the development of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone in full swing so as to develop an I&T hub of the GBA. With the staunch support of the country, and the full co-operation of various cities in the GBA, more I&T teams will continue to seek breakthrough and contribute to the high-quality development of the country.
      
     During the conference, a representative from the Innovation and Technology Commission introduced the HKSAR Government's policies and measures in recent years in promoting the full interaction and collaboration among industry, academia, research and investment sectors, as well as accelerating the formation and development of "new quality productive forces". In addition to consolidating and enhancing our strengths and capabilities in basic R&D, the policies and measures accelerate the transformation of outstanding R&D results and their application to specific industries, so as to continuously create new value and support the high-quality development of the new real economy. Many of these are collaboration projects between institutions of Hong Kong and other cities of the GBA or the Mainland, leveraging the resources and strengths of Hong Kong and the Mainland to jointly promote technology implementation and commercialisation.
      
     Supported by the People's Government of Guangdong Province, a national investment and financing platform (「粵科發布」) was jointly established by the Guangdong Technology Financial Group and the Guangdong Venture Capital Promotion Association. The platform plays an important role in facilitating the development of an international I&T ecological centre in the GBA and accelerating the development of "new quality productive forces".
      
     Ms Chan then visited O₂ PARK, a creative park developed by Hong Kong entrepreneurs in Haizhu District, Guangzhou. She was briefed by representatives of the park on the revitalisation of old factories project and learned about the park's latest efforts in promoting arts, culture and creative industries.

Ends/Friday, May 17, 2024
Issued at HKT 23:12

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