Council to boost HK’s innovation drive
The government on Wednesday strengthened its efforts to create an innovative economy by establishing a high-level advisory body on innovation and economic development.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor appointed some 40 cross-sector leaders to the council.
The Chief Executive’s Council of Advisers on Innovation and Strategic Development, chaired by the CE, was set up following her maiden Policy Address last October.
The council will contribute ideas on innovation and Hong Kong’s strategic positioning in the global economy. The body strives to maintain the city’s competitiveness and enhance its integration with the nation’s development, according to the Policy Address.
Members include 36 nonofficial leaders from many sectors — including business, law, politics, education, culture, healthcare and transport.
The members include Managing Director and Deputy Chairman of CK Asset Holdings Victor Li Tzar-kuoi, Convener of the Executive Council Bernard Charnwut Chan, Senior Counsel Winnie Tam Wan-chi and Chairman of the Board of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority Henry Tang Ying-yen.
Lam also appointed Tencent Holdings Vice-President Jimmy Lai Chi-ming and co-founder and Executive Vice-Chairman of Alibaba Group Joseph Tsai Chunghsin to the body.
Four incumbent government officials joined the council — Chief Secretary for Administration Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po, Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah and Director of the Chief Executive’s Office Eric Chan Kwok-ki.
Welcoming the advisers, Lam said they all had considerable international experience and could grasp vital global development trends.
She is looking forward to cooperating with them to boost Hong Kong’s development and international profile.
The council’s first term takes effect immediately and ends on June 30, 2020. The first meeting will be next week. A Policy Innovation and Coordination Office will be established on April 1. This will provide secretariat services and research support to the council.
The council will replace the existing Economic Development Commission and the now defunct Commission on Strategic Development, both of which used to be chaired by the chief executive.
As mentioned in the Policy Address last October, Lam will chair an internal Steering Committee on Innovation and Technology. This aims to encourage collaboration and enhance efficiency across departments on innovation and technology development.