ENG-2008 — Page 154

110 | Commerce and Industry

added business activity. 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 in 2005, the Government decided to adopt a focused approach to promote applied R&D and support technology upgrading in industry. In April 2006, the Government set up R&D centres on five 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 to provide a focal point for driving 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.

Technology Co-operation with the Mainland

The Mainland and Hong Kong Science and Technology Co-operation Committee was formed in 2004. It is a high level steering committee for the State Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) and the CEDB to formulate and co-ordinate technology co-operation and exchange programmes between Hong Kong and the Mainland.

In 2007, the committee agreed to invite applications from local universities for setting up state key laboratories in Hong Kong. ITC also nominated entries for the State Technological Invention Award and the State Scientific and Technological Progress Award, two award categories of the prestigious State Science and Technology Awards.

The CEDB also signed a co-operation agreement with the State Ministry of Information Industry in April 2007 to encourage Hong Kong experts to participate in the formulation of national standards relating to the information industry, and enhance technology co-operation in various focus areas of the information industry, including mobile communication, technologies relating to consumer electronic products and digital TV.

The ITC and the Guangdong Provincial Department of Science and Technology have been running the Guangdong-Hong Kong Technology Co-operation Funding Scheme (TCFS) since 2004 to support applied R&D projects in technology areas of common interest. Under the 2007 TCFS, both sides received about 700 applications.