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Commerce and Industry
Research and Development Centres
The government's five R&D Centres drive and co-ordinate applied R&D in selected focus areas and promote commercialisation of R&D results and technology transfer. The five centres are:
• Automotive Parts and Accessory Systems R&D Centre;
• Hong Kong R&D Centre for Information and Communications Technologies under ASTRI;
Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel;
• Hong Kong R&D Centre for Logistics and Supply Chain Management Enabling Technologies; and
• Nano and Advanced Materials Institute.
Technology Co-operation with the Mainland
The Mainland/Hong Kong Science and Technology Co-operation Committee is a high-level steering committee for the Mainland's Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) and Hong Kong's Commerce and Economic Development Bureau to work together in fostering technology collaboration. Progress in 2014 included launching the first round of applications to establish Hong Kong Branches of Chinese National Engineering Research Centres, preparatory work for the first round of reassessment of the Partner State Key Laboratories in Hong Kong, and MOST's approval for Hong Kong Science Park's establishment of the Hong Kong National High-tech Industrialisation Partner Base for Integrated Circuits.
The HKSAR and Guangdong governments jointly run a Guangdong-Hong Kong Technology Co-operation Funding Scheme (TCFS) to encourage collaboration between their universities, research institutions and technology enterprises. As at the end of 2014, the ITF has funded 221 TCFS projects with about $777 million, of which $168 million was for 66 projects jointly funded by the ITF and Guangdong/Shenzhen authorities.
Publicity and Promotional Events
The Innovation and Technology Commission's annual InnoTech Month features a wide range of activities to foster a stronger innovation and technology culture in the community. In 2014, they included an 'InnoCarnival, roadshows, exhibitions, workshops, industry conferences and seminars. The commission also collaborated with academia and non-profit-making organisations in supporting science competitions and activities to strengthen students' interest in innovation and technology. The Innovation and Technology Scholarship Award Scheme provides recognition to outstanding science undergraduates in local universities and encourages them to pursue careers in science and technology.
Protection of Intellectual Property Rights
Hong Kong maintains a robust regime for protecting intellectual property rights. With its comprehensive legislation, convenient registration systems, rigorous enforcement and creative public education programmes, Hong Kong has gained a reputation for effective protection of intellectual property.
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