Continued increase in Hong Kong's gross expenditure on research and development in "Hong Kong Innovation Activities Statistics 2022"
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A Government spokesman said, "The country indicates clear support in the National 14th Five-Year Plan for Hong Kong to develop into an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre. I&T has always been a top priority of the Government. In recent years, the Government has invested heavily in developing I&T infrastructure, promoting research and development (R&D), attracting and nurturing talent, supporting start-ups, etc. Moreover, since taking office, the current-term Government has launched a series of I&T measures to further enhance the I&T ecosystem in Hong Kong. It is encouraging to see that the GERD and the GERD as a ratio to the GDP have recorded satisfactory growth in 2022. We will continue to promote the I&T development in Hong Kong at full steam following the four broad development directions as set out in the Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint."
The spokesman also stated that a series of measures have been announced in the 2023 Policy Address, including pressing ahead with new industrialisation, facilitating the R&D of microelectronics and artificial intelligence development, fostering the synergistic development of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, etc. In addition, the Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus Scheme (RAISe+ Scheme) was launched in October this year to promote the "1 to N" transformation and commercialisation of R&D outcomes. The results of the first round of applications under the RAISe+ Scheme will be announced in the first quarter of 2024.
"I&T is instrumental in societal progress and provides key impetus for Hong Kong's high-quality economic development. The Government will strive to take forward various policy measures to realise the vision of developing Hong Kong into an international I&T centre," the spokesman added.
Ends/Thursday, December 21, 2023
Issued at HKT 16:35
Issued at HKT 16:35
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