XN000022-1987-01-14 — Page 26

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14, 1987

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STRENGTHEN HI-TECH RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT *****

AN IMPORTANT AND NECESSARY STEP HONG KONG SHOULD TAKE IN ORDER TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE IN THE WORLD MARKET IS TO STRENGTHEN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN HIGH TECHNOLOGY, PROFESSOR THE HON POON CHUNG-KWONG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

SPEAKING DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRY, PROF POON SAID AT PRESENT HONG KONG'S ROLE IN DEALING WITH HIGH TECHNOLOGY WAS THAT OF A MATCHMAKER+, WHICH MEANT THAT HIGH TECHNOLOGY WAS IMPORTED FOR APPLICATION IN INDUSTRY.

+ONE OF THE DISADVANTAGES FROM WHICH HONG KONG SUFFERS BADLY BY APPLYING BORROWED TECHNOLOGY BLINDLY IS THE LACK OF FLEXIBILITY IN INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION,+ HE SAID.

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HOWEVER, IF SUFFICIENT RESEARCH WAS CONDUCTED PRIOR TO TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER, THE TECHNOLOGY COULD BE COMPREHENDED AND WOULD NO LONGER BE A MYSTERIOUS +BLACKBOX+.

HE SAID HE WAS PLEASED TO LEARN THAT THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT INTENDED TO DEVELOP LINKS WITH FOREIGN INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATIONS TO PROMOTE THE TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGY ON A MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL BASIS. ACTION IN THIS DIRECTION SHOULD BE EXPEDITED, HE ADDED.

THE MACHINERY SHOULD NOT ONLY PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE FRAMEWORK FOR THE TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGY FROM VARIOUS SOURCES ABROAD, BUT SHOULD ALSO PROMOTE AND STRENGTHEN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG.

PROF POON SAID A CENTRAL BODY WAS REQUIRED TO CO-ORDINATE THE RELEVANT MARKET RESEARCH, TO IDENTIFY AREAS OF TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND LOCAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND TO ACT AS A CENTRAL FUNDING AGENCY TO ENSURE THAT THE RESEARCH WAS ADEQUATELY FUNDED AND PRIORITIES WERE PROPERLY ESTABLISHED.

HE NOTED THAT THE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD HAD IN FACT BEEN FUNCTIONING AS SUCH A CENTRAL BODY.

+HOWEVER, I HOPE IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE FOR THE BOARD TO CONDUCT MARKET RESEARCH MORE REGULARLY AND INTENSIFY ITS ACTIVITIES IN OTHER AREAS WHICH I HAVE JUST DESCRIBED,+ HE SAID.

HE ALSO SAID HONG KONG SHOULD EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY OF CO-OPERATING WITH CHINA IN RESEARCH ON, AND MAKING THE BEST USE OF, HIGH TECHNOLOGY.

„JUHR VERSATILITY