HKSTP welcomes the development of the Lok Ma Chau Loop into a “Hong Kong/Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park”

(Hong Kong, 3 January 2017) - Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (“HKSTP”) welcomes the Government’s plan to develop the Lok Ma Chau Loop into a “Hong Kong/Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park” (“HK/SZ I&T Park”) and looks forward to participating in this exciting project.   

The Board of HKSTP acknowledges that the HK/SZ I&T Park will be an important infrastructure which will shape the future of Hong Kong’s information and technology development and ensure its sustained economic growth.  HKSTP believes that the HK/SZ I&T Park, being strategically close to the boundary between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, would attract top-tier enterprises, research institutions as well as higher education institutions in the Mainland and overseas to set up and carry out collaborative researches.

Mrs Fanny Law, Chairperson of HKSTP witnessed the signing of the “Memorandum of Understanding on Jointly Developing the Lok Ma Chau Loop by Hong Kong and Shenzhen” by the Chief Secretary for Administration of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (“HKSAR”) Government and the Vice Mayor of the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government at the Hong Kong/Shenzhen Co-operation Meeting held in Hong Kong today.  HKSTP will discuss with the Government on the various arrangements and commence the preparation work as soon as practicable.

“HKSTP is glad that the Government has attached great importance to promoting innovation and technology. An innovation and technology ecosystem is taking shape in Hong Kong. The number of innovation and technology companies is on the increase, creating a strong demand for research and development space and offices. The HK/SZ I&T Park is about four times the current size of the Hong Kong Science Park.  It will provide land for the long-term development of innovation and technology, thereby enhancing Hong Kong’s attraction to the Mainland and overseas technology enterprises and research institutions. We are thrilled to take part in this project,” said Mrs Law.

HKSTP had completed Hong Kong Science Park’s three phases’ development comprising 21 office blocks on the 22 hectare site last year as planned. Currently the Park is undergoing an expansion which will bring the total office area to 400,000 sqm upon completion in 2020. As at the end of October 2016, there are 622 companies in Science Park with a working population of over 12,000 people. HKSTP is committed to driving the development of the innovation and technology ecosystem. There are over 250 start-ups currently in HKSTP’s Incubation Programmes; current incubatees and graduates have accumulatively registered 907 IPs and obtained a total of about HK$1,650 million in angel funding and venture capital investment, and they have received 436 local and international awards and recognitions.