COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
capture the opportunities arising from CEPA and integration with the Pearl River Delta area.
On the international front, the corporation continued to maintain close cooperation with members of the International Union of Credit and Investment Insurers (Berne Union) through visits, meetings and workshops.
Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation
The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTPC) was established in May 2001 to offer one-stop infrastructural support services to technology-based companies and activities in a synergistic manner. It is a statutory body formed by merging the former Hong Kong Industrial Estates Corporation, Hong Kong Industrial Technology Centre Corporation and Provisional Hong Kong Science Park Company Ltd. It offers a comprehensive range of services to cater for the needs of industry at various stages. These services range from nurturing technology start-ups through the incubation programme and providing premises and services in the Science Park for applied research and development activities to the provision of land and premises in the industrial estates for production purposes.
The Science Park, being developed by the HKSTPC at Pak Shek Kok, will provide a total area of 22 hectares. Built under the concept of clustering, it will provide an effective working environment and support services to facilitate collaboration and synergy among its tenants and ultimately enhance Hong Kong's long-term economic success. The four clusters are electronics, information technology and telecommunications, biotechnology, and precision engineering. Phase 1 of the Science Park was officially opened in June 2002.
The HKSTPC operates three industrial estates with 214 hectares of land, in total. Developed land is provided at cost to companies with new or improved technology and processes that cannot operate in multi-storey buildings. The industrial estates have helped broaden the industry base and upgrade the technology level of Hong Kong. The industrial estates in Tai Po and Yuen Long are practically full while the one in Tseung Kwan O is half-full.
Through its business incubation programme, the HKSTPC nurtures technology- based start-up companies by providing low-cost accommodation as well as management, marketing, financial and professional business services in the critical initial years of these companies.
Hong Kong Productivity Council
The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) promotes excellence in productivity to enhance the value-added content of products and services.
In view of the rapid changes in recent years in the international environment, restructuring in the local industry scene and in southern China, and the resultant challenges to its mission, the HKPC commissioned a consultancy study in June 2001 on its role, management and operation. Pursuant to the consultancy study, HKPC has repositioned its service focus to provide integrated support to innovation and growth- oriented Hong Kong firms across the value chain. Its principal sectoral focus is on manufacturing, particularly in Hong Kong's foundation industries, and related service activities. The main geographical focus is Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta.
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