Sunny Tan, Chairman of HKPC, gives welcoming remarks at "Hong Kong Got Industries: Strategic Alliance Showcase" on January 8, 2024. Photo: Courtesy of HKPC

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) aims to encourage more companies engaged in science and innovation to settle in the city as it pushes ahead with new industrialization and aspires to be a leading innovation and technology hub.

Sunny Tan, chairman of the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC), told the Global Times in an exclusive interview on Thursday that the HKPC is fully committed to supporting the HKSAR in promoting new industrialization, with a focus on innovative high-tech industries such as microelectronics, artificial intelligence (AI) and life sciences, as well as high-value traditional industries.

"We provide three main forms of support tailored to the needs of different industries - technological support, talent training support and assisting companies in utilizing government funding and facilitating the implementation of government policies," Tan said.

During the recent "Hong Kong Got Industries: Strategic Alliance Showcase" event organized by the HKPC, the Hong Kong Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau officially launched an optimized funding plan for companies engaged in new industrialization. 

Participating companies can receive a maximum of HK$45 million ($5.76 million) in funding.

The move comes as the HKSAR steps up efforts to boost new industrialization. According to the HKSAR Chief Executive's 2023 Policy Address, the HKSAR government plans to increase the number of intelligent production lines in Hong Kong from about 30 in 2022 to more than 130 by 2027 under funding programs. 

The HKPC is fully committed to being the driving force in achieving this goal, Tan said.

The HKPC has completed or is about to complete implementing 50 intelligent production lines in Hong Kong. By 2025, it will promote the establishment of 67 intelligent production lines, covering industries such as electronics, life sciences and new materials, according to Tan.

This year, the HKPC will continue to strengthen talent development and also hopes to leverage its role as a bridge between the Chinese mainland and international markets to attract not only mainland enterprises but also international companies to establish a presence in Hong Kong.

Additionally, the HKPC will intensify its efforts to serve the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and jointly promote new industrialization. 

The HKPC has implemented more than 1,200 intelligent projects in the GBA, helping the upgrading of more than 25 industries, Tan said.