Tech park attracts about 60 partners
Firms are expected to lure investments, talent, and to facilitate market access
The 87-hectare Hong KongShenzhen Innovation and Technology Park welcomed its first batch of partners from some 60 companies and organizations on Thursday, with their expected investment to top HK$1 billion ($127.69 million).
Apart from those from Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland, about a quarter of the companies are from overseas, including the United States, France, Japan, the United Kingdom, Australia, Thailand and Singapore, according to Hong Kong officials. Some 24 of the companies are either new to or expanding their business in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Their specializations include life and health technology, new energy, and microelectronics. Notable names include UK biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca and Shenzhen-based biotech firm BGI Genomics.
These enterprises will help to attract talent and investment, cultivate industry collaboration, facilitate market access, and offer other essential services, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said at the partnership launching ceremony.
The park’s strategic importance lies in its location at the Lok Ma Chau Loop, which is on the Hong Kong-Shenzhen border and the banks of the Shenzhen River.
Also known as the Hong Kong Park of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Cooperation Zone, the area will be developed in two phases. The first three buildings under Phase One are scheduled for completion from the end of 2024 onward.
The partnership comes as the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area becomes even better connected with more transport and border links. According to Lee, the GBA has a combined GDP of 14 trillion yuan ($1.93 trillion), equivalent to one-ninth of that of the country, which is the world’s second-largest economy.
“The GBA will create ‘new quality productive forces’ to boost the highquality development of our country. Inspired by innovation, they include high-tech, high-efficiency
Today’s partnership casts a big vote of confidence in the development of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park, as well as Hong Kong’s I&T development.”
Sun Dong, Hong Kong secretary for innovation, technology and industry
and high-quality productivity,” said Lee.
In the past six months, the government’s Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises has successfully persuaded around 50 hightech international companies to establish or expand their businesses in Hong Kong, he added.
Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong said the diverse portfolio of the park’s partners highlights Hong Kong’s unique advantage as an international city.
“Also, today’s partnership casts a big vote of confidence in the development of the HSITP, as well as Hong Kong’s I&T development,” he said.
Under the Hong Kong innovation and technology development blueprint, promulgated in 2022, one of the city’s key strategies is to consolidate its role as a bridge connecting the mainland and the rest of the world.
“Today’s ceremony is one of our key milestones, and I can say it is just a beginning. More good news is coming,” Sun said.
Being home to five of the world’s top 100 universities, and numerous world-class experts and scholars, Hong Kong has access to the best resources available, forming a solid foundation and network for its journey to become an international innovation and technology center, Sun said.
“To realize this goal, fostering collaborative efforts from the government, industry, academic, research and investment sectors is of utmost importance for all of us,” he said.