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Chapter 6

Innovation and Technology

Hong Kong attracts top research institutions with its strong research capability, robust intellectual property protection regime, world-class technological infrastructure and close cooperation with the Mainland. The city is forging ahead to embrace the innovation and technology era through a comprehensive innovation and technology development agenda and a smart city blueprint.

The Innovation and Technology Bureau provides dedicated policy support for the development of innovation and technology (I&T) in Hong Kong. The bureau is supported by the Innovation and Technology Commission and the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer.

The Innovation and Technology Commission promotes and supports applied research and development (R&D), and technology transfer and applications. It also promotes internationally accepted standards and conformity assessment services to underpin technological development and international trade in Hong Kong.

The Office of the Government Chief Information Officer provides information technology (IT) services, governance and support within the government, and promotes the wider adoption of IT in the community. It also seeks to develop a vibrant industry in information and communications technology (ICT), promoting high-tier data centres, smart city development and cyber security awareness in Hong Kong.

Infrastructure

Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation

The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTPC) provides one-stop infrastructural support to technology-based companies. It manages the 22-hectare Science Park in Sha Tin. The development of the Science Park was fully completed in 2016, providing 330,000 square metres of gross floor area for applied R&D in biomedical technology, electronics, green technology, information and telecommunications technology, and material and precision engineering. As at end-2017, it was home to about 650 companies. The Science Park is undertaking a $4.4 billion stage 1 expansion programme to increase the gross floor area by 20 per cent to 400,000 sq m by 2020.

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