Govt urged to address talent scarcity
The head of Hong Kong’s biggest high-tech research and development center pressed the government on Wednesday to launch talent-pooling policies as a severe talent shortfall is the leading obstacle to the city achieving its ambition to develop into an international innovation and technology (I&T) hub.
Speaking at a press gathering, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation Fanny Law Fan Chiu-fun suggested the government craft special immi- gration measures for hightech companies, providing a work-visa guarantee for those hiring I&T specialists from outside Hong Kong.
She also urged the Steering Committee on Innovation and Technology, to be chaired by Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, to make talent pooling a priority on their work agenda.
Law said her suggestions came into being after many companies in the park complained to her that they had difficulties expanding as there were insufficient human resources.
Talents are essential not only in helping local I&T com- panies sustain and further develop, but also a valuable factor to create a favorable I&T atmosphere, attracting foreign technology giants to set up regional centers in Hong Kong, Law added.
Attracting technology talent is highlighted as one of the eight major areas in developing Hong Kong’s innovation and technology listed in Lam’s maiden Policy Address on Oct 11.
Geng Chunya, founder and chief executive officer of internet company Eastspider in the Science Park, noted that in the past 10 years he had tried at least three times to apply for visas for mainland engineers to work in Hong Kong. All three attempts were rejected.
“I guessed the Immigration Department rejected us because they want to protect local talents. But the problem is we could not hire qualified engineering specialists inside the city as technology-related majors like engineering and mathematics are less-favored majors in universities,” Geng said.
He called on the government to update immigration policies for technology talents through such measures as launching specific work visas for them which require that applicants can only work in related industries in Hong Kong.