Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) announced its fruitful participation in promoting Hong Kong's innovation and technology (I&T) edge at the annual Think Global Think Hong Kong (TGTHK), held in Tokyo, Japan.

TGTHK is an annual event organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) to showcase Hong Kong's attractive business environment and service offerings to business communities all over the world.

As a reflection of the I&T sector's growing importance to Hong Kong's economy, HKSTP hosted two plenary sessions titled "Smart City ABCD" and "Inno Living, Happy Ageing: Healthy Ageing Technology Trends in Hong Kong" at the event. Smart City and Healthy Ageing are strategic technology focus areas of HKSTP, and are also areas of strength of Hong Kong's I&T sector.

The two symposiums brought together heavyweight speakers from both Hong Kong and Japan, which included representatives from government, corporations and industry associations. HKSTP's partner companies and incubatees shared their innovative concepts and accomplishments with some of them expressing the collaboration opportunities between Hong Kong and Japan to accelerate the development of Smart City and Healthy Ageing solutions. The symposiums were very well-received and filled the halls to the brim, with more than 350 delegates present.

The "Inno Living, Happy Ageing: Healthy Ageing Technology Trends in Hong Kong" session highlighted the use of smart technologies in promoting healthy and active ageing. Speakers from the healthcare industry shared their views on the challenges and opportunities for developing healthy ageing technologies across the world.

In her opening keynote, Chief Executive of the HKSAR Mrs Carrie Lam spoke of the ambitions to develop the Greater Bay Area into an international I&T centre, allowing Hong Kong to play to its strengths and drive technological co-operation. She emphasised that Hong Kong's highly international business environment can attract international I&T companies to come to the Greater Bay Area, while helping mainland I&T enterprises go global.

Albert Wong, Chief Executive Officer of HKSTP, said, “TGTHK also gave us a great platform to demonstrate the success of our Park companies. We want the international community to know that Hong Kong Science Park not only serves as a cradle for local I&T advancement, but also a hub to foster technological exchange and co-creation. We have always been proactive in attracting innovative enterprises and outstanding talent from overseas to the Park, providing them with comprehensive and professional support. We are making connections and building a global ecosystem. Through cooperation and complementary efforts, we can certainly empower our Park companies to grow in the local market, and even extend their vision towards the Greater Bay Area and international markets."

In addition to the symposiums, several of HKSTP's partner companies and incubatees were represented in the InnoVenture Salon of TGTHK.

These companies’ showcased Smart City and Healthy Ageing-related technologies developed in Hong Kong. They had the opportunity to share their solutions, accomplishments, and explore potential partnership opportunities with other global entrepreneurs and Japan's business community. Their presence at the event is an illustration of HKSTP's support for its partner companies and incubatees, in terms of talent acquisition, funding, as well as market expansion.

Related to the TGTHK trade mission, HKSTP today also announced two cooperative agreements with leading Japanese enterprises. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between HKSTP and Mizuho Financial Group Inc to jointly nurture and support high-potential technology start-ups from both markets to their next level of development. Another announcement was made by HKSTP and Hitachi East Asia Ltd to jointly build a Smart City Data Platform at Hong Kong Science Park to accelerate data-driven Smart City innovations.