ENG-2009 — Page 156

108 Commerce and Industry

working closely with industry in drawing up their R&D plans, defining their technology roadmaps, and facilitating the commercialisation of R&D results.

Technology Co-operation with the Mainland

The Mainland/Hong Kong Science and Technology Co-operation Committee was formed in 2004. It is a high level steering committee for the Ministry of Science and Technology and the CEDB jointly to formulate and co-ordinate technology exchanges and collaboration initiatives between Hong Kong and the Mainland.

The committee held its fourth meeting in September 2009, and among other things, agreed to follow up on the establishment of Partner State Key Laboratories in Hong Kong, and set up

and set up a 'Working

a 'Working Group on

Group on Pilot Implementation for Guangdong-Hong Kong Technology Co-operation' to study and formulate measures for pilot implementation in Guangdong.

The Hong Kong and Guangdong Governments have run the Guangdong-Hong Kong Technology Co-operation Funding Scheme (TCFS) since 2004 to encourage collaboration between research institutions and enterprises in the two places. From 2004 to 2009, the two sides supported over 30 jointly-funded projects with a total funding of about $200 million, covering various technology areas.

In May 2007, the Hong Kong and Shenzhen Governments signed an agreement to foster closer technological co-operation between the two cities and promote the establishment of the 'Shenzhen-Hong Kong Innovation Circle'. In 2008, the two governments successfully invited an international company to set up its global thin film photovoltaic business headquarters and R&D centre in Hong Kong, with related manufacturing base in Shenzhen. The facilities in Hong Kong Science Park were opened in March 2009 and the facilities in Shenzhen commenced operation in November 2009.

Publicity and Promotional Events

The ITC organises the annual Innovation Festival as a flagship project to foster an innovation and technology culture in the community, particularly among young people. The festival comprises a series of activities, including exhibitions, workshops, thematic seminars and competitions as well as roadshows organised in three popular shopping malls. The ITC established the Innovation Technology Student Club with the support of the Chinese University of Hong Kong in June 2009 and co-organised the annual Hong Kong Student Science Project Competition with the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups to enhance participants' knowledge in science and technology, nurturing talented, innovative young people to become future technology leaders.

Protection of Intellectual Property Rights

Hong Kong is committed to maintaining a robust regime for the protection of intellectual property rights. With its comprehensive legislation, convenient registration, rigorous enforcement and imaginative public education, Hong Kong has gained a reputation for effective protection of intellectual property.