ENG-2018 — Page 149

6

Innovation and Technology

The government attaches great importance to information security and cyber security, and encourages businesses to collaborate in strengthening Hong Kong's defence against cyber threats. The Government Computer Emergency Response Team Hong Kong works with the police and the Hong Kong Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Centre to raise community awareness and knowledge of cyber security.

The annual signature event, Internet Economy Summit, was organised in April to discuss the development and strategies of the internet-driven economy, while the Hong Kong ICT Awards was held jointly with the local industry to recognise outstanding inventions and applications.

The InnoTech Month was held from October to December to promote an I&T culture among industry stakeholders and the public. Notable projects from the five R&D centres were showcased at Shenzhen's China Hi-Tech Fair in November and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council's SmartBiz Expo in December. The Innovation and Technology Commission supports the organisation of the Innovation and Technology Scholarship every year to raise undergraduates' interest in I&T and encourage them to pursue related careers.

To tackle social issues using I&T, the government supports I&T projects that benefit the public or specific groups, such as the elderly or disabled, through the $500 million Innovation and Technology Fund for Better Living.

The Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Fund encourages social entrepreneurs to create innovative ideas, products and services to tackle poverty, social exclusion and social cohesion, and to foster the well-being of the underprivileged. By supporting cross-sectoral collaboration, the fund aims to build an ecosystem which enables social entrepreneurs to thrive. As at end-2018, it had funded 166 projects comprising social. ventures, capacity-building programmes and evidence-based research since its launch in 2013, benefiting over 100,000 people.

Digital inclusion measures to help needy groups include an outreach programme that encourages the elderly and the disabled to apply ICT in their daily living and the promotion of accessible website and mobile application designs.

Cooperation with Mainland

The HKSAR Government and the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government are jointly developing the Lok Ma Chau Loop into the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park, which will become a key base for scientific research and host relevant higher education, cultural, creative and other complementary facilities. Government representatives from both cities sit on the Joint Task Force on the Development of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park in the Loop.

The HSITPL began two studies during the year on the master planning and the business model and business planning of the park. Separately, the HKSAR Government started advance works with the aim of delivering the first batch of land parcels by 2021 for the HSITPL to construct the first batch of buildings and relevant facilities.

107