Hong Kong's next step to promote technological innovation is looming
Updated: 2014-02-14 06:03
By Nicholas Brooke(HK Edition)
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With the start of a new year, it is important to step back and examine the past year's peaks and troughs to better formulate plans for tomorrow. This certainly holds true for the innovation and technology industry. While the Hong Kong government has continued to demonstrate its commitment to supporting the development of a number of technologies, including information and communication technologies (ICT) and green solutions, it is clear that a more comprehensive blueprint is needed if Hong Kong is to successfully develop a knowledge-based economy, and thereby maintains its position in the regional hierarchy. Decisive leadership would also galvanise companies and entrepreneurs into action, spurring them to take a greater stake in the business of innovation.
As a statutory body established by the government, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTPC) has clearly benefited from its support and endorsement over the years; most recently earning the "Hong Kong National Modern Services Industrialization (Partner) Base" designation from the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) in December 2013, as well as being named a national base for green technology by MOST in 2012. On the infrastructure front, Hong Kong Science Park has unveiled the first cluster of buildings that make up the new green-centric Phase 3 development, which will eventually offer about 1,000,000 sq ft of lettable space to industry leaders when the entire project is completed in 2016. Among the companies that have already pledged to anchor their operations in Phase 3 include Topanga Technologies, a leader in solid-state drivers and electrode-free plasma lamps from Silicon Valley, and Infineon Technologies, a German company which specializes in semiconductors and system solutions for automotive and industrial electronics. Aside from overseas interest, the government of Shunde, Guangdong province, has signed a memorandum of understanding with HKSTPC that will lead to the creation of the "Guangdong-Hong Kong Innovation Center" within Phase 3. The center will serve as home for technology companies from the Shunde district to leverage the park's many attributes to further expand their research and development business for the global market.
These successes in creating an environment that is conducive to scientific innovation are testament both to HKSTPC's vision and commitment and to the ongoing support of the government. It is important, however, that we sustain the momentum to innovate. Given that the industrial estates were established over three decades ago, and Cyberport and HKSTPC are well over 10 years old, the next major development appears to be overdue. Having noted in the past the need to conduct a thorough audit of the innovation and technology industry and its players leading to the establishment of a well-defined and focused strategy, such need continues to hold true.
There are signs suggesting that the next step is approaching as the government has begun a review of the technology sector and, as previously noted, the Digital 21 Strategy on ICT development will be issued later this year to spur Hong Kong's transformation into a smart city. Added to the list is the CE's latest announcement in his Policy Address about the proposed establishment of an Innovation and Technology Bureau. However, while such efforts are being made, the government must not lose sight of the importance of promoting innovation among the grassroots as well. Though the young are well immersed in the world of innovation, and the middle-aged are frequently exposed to new technologies at the workplace or through social interaction, the elderly are too often left behind, failing to benefit from technological progress due to fears of the unknown or sheer lack of opportunities. The employment of NGOs would help address such an inequality and promote a more inclusive society.
While much emphasis has been placed on developing a holistic solution when the subject of innovation is raised, at the end of the day ensuring that every citizen is accounted for must remain the overriding concern.
The author is chairman of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation.
(HK Edition 02/14/2014 page9)