ENG-2007 — Page 159

Commerce and Industry I 115

Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited

The publicly funded Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited (ASTRI) was set up in January 2000. It performs relevant and high quality research and development for transfer to industry for commercialisation with a view to elevating the technology level of Hong Kong's industry and to stimulating the growth of technology-based industries in Hong Kong. In April 2006, ASTRI launched the R&D Centre for Information and Communications Technologies which focuses on four technology areas, namely, communications technologies, consumer electronics, integrated circuit design and opto-electronics.

Hong Kong Jockey Club Institute of Chinese Medicine Limited

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Institute of Chinese Medicine Limited was established in May 2001 as a subsidiary company of ASTRI. The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has pledged to donate $500 million to support the institute's research and development programmes. Its mission is to promote and support the modernisation and further development of Chinese medicine in Hong Kong through coordination of related activities and strategic support for scientific and evidence- based development programmes.

Hong Kong Design Centre

The Hong Kong Design Centre was established in May 2001 as a multi- disciplinary organisation dedicated to the promotion of design as a value-added activity in business. Apart from running programmes at the InnoCentre, it also organised major activities like the Business of Design Week.

Hong Kong Research and Development Centres

After a comprehensive review and public consultation, the Government decided to adopt a highly focused approach to promote applied R&D and support technology upgrading in industry. In April 2006, the Government set up five R&D centres covering the following technology focus areas:

• automotive parts and accessory systems;

• information and communications technologies;

•

logistics and supply chain management enabling technologies;

• nanotechnology and advanced materials; and

⚫ textiles and clothing.

The centres aim to develop core competencies in their respective technology areas and become the focal points of applied R&D and technology transfer. In line with the market-driven, demand-led approach of the new strategy, the centres have been working closely with the industry in drawing up their R&D directions, defining their technology development roadmaps, and facilitating the commercialisation of R&D results.