1 Apr 2026
HKSTP Presents ‘Global Connect – Global Innovation Exchange’
(Hong Kong, 1 April 2026) – Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) celebrated the launch of ‘Global Connect – Global Innovation Exchange (GIE),’ a platform that creates a pull for innovation and technology (I&T) ecosystems from the World to Hong Kong, to pour collective efforts into maximising exposure and impact of emerging startups and solutions.
The GIE was designed to bridge for China-HK-International with I&T developments, where year-long international engagement activities are in the works, including a curated series of country-and market-focused networking events, with UK, France, and Germany lined up from April to June, as well as success story sharing sessions, opportunity overviews, and potential partnership projects examinations, building as a two-way gateway enabling overseas innovators leverage the city as a springboard into the vast opportunities in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) opportunities, while supporting companies moving from the Chinese Mainland to Hong Kong and onward to international markets.
Representatives of 17 countries were in presence, apart from local bodies, in supporting the cause that tech ventures are to be introduced to markets overseas, and vice versa. Maurits ter Kuile, Consul General of the Netherlands in Hong Kong and Macao, stated: “Hong Kong is an interesting spot for Dutch companies that are looking to explore the Chinese market. Language, regulations, taxes and an international orientation, are part of the attraction. As a Dutch government body that is looking to support them, we would say that the GIE looks like an appealing concept to give them a leg up.”
Panel discussions on Hong Kong’s unique position on the world stage as a multicultural anchor for the flow of capital in and out of Asia, echoed the notion. Johannes Hack, Chairman of European Chamber of Commerce, said “One of the challenges when setting up a partnership is understanding the other side's value drivers. Only when you truly match what each side expects can the joint business flourish. Hong Kong is an excellent place to establish common ground and HKSTP is a great partner to support finding a shared vision."
Terry Wong, CEO of HKSTP, said “We introduced ‘Global Connect – Global Innovation Exchange’ with heart full of confidence that it will bring convergence of all efforts under one platform, so that international networks, delegations, and I&T communities are able to connect better with more seamless access to even broader resources.”
The Network represented not an event, but an enunciation of commitment to contribute in driving an influx of cross-border business matching and investment opportunities, further strengthening the city’s appeal as an international I&T hub, and continuing the momentum of technological advancement in the GBA and beyond.
Photo 1: Representatives of consulates and chambers of commerce from 17 countries were in attendance in supporting the cause of the ‘Global Innovation Exchange’ network.
- (Front row from left) Pheona Kan, Director of New Ventures, HKSTP; Francoise Killias Zillwger, Deputy Consul-General of Switzerland; Willy Lin, GBS, JP, Honorary Consul of Slovak Republic; Maurits ter Kuile, Consul-General of the Netherlands in Hong Kong and Macao; Miguel Aguirre de Cárcer, Consul-General of Spain in Hong Kong; Jennifer Chan, Board Member and Terry Wong, CEO of HKSTP; Carmelo Ficarra, Consul-General of Italy; Dr Annika Bolten-Drutschmann, Consul-General of Germany; Pia Maarit Saarikivi, Deputy Consul-General of Finland; Christopher Peter Woodward, Deputy Consul-General and Director General of Trade & Investment of the United Kingdom; and Hilda Chan, Chief Marketing Officer, HKSTP.
- (Back row from left) Pierre-Yves Buysschaert, Director of the Swiss Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong; Christian Bergenstråhle, General Manager of Swedish Chamber of Commerce of Hong Kong; Michael Keppe, Board Member of the German Chamber of Commerce; James Chen, Vice-Chair of the Finnish Chamber of Commerce; Mary Simpson, Chief Executive of Australian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong; Alexandre Alvim Ribeiro, Consul of the Federative Republic of Brazil; Zoltán Páldi, Trade Commissioner Consulate-General of Hungary in Hong Kong; Wilhelm Brauner, Chairman of Austrian Chamber of Commerce; Nicolas Vanderchmitt, Board Member and General Secretary of French Chamber of Commerce; Davide de Rosa, President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong and Macau; Filip Ziolek, Chairman of the Polish Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong; and Paul McComb, Executive Director of the British Chamber of Commerce.
Photo 2: (from left) Tom Lau, Co-Founder of Immuno Cure Biotech; Pheona Kan, Director of New Ventures of HKSTP; and Maurits ter Kuile, Consul-General of the Netherlands in Hong Kong and Macao, shared insights and approaches on leveraging the Network.
Photo 3-4: Panel discussions on China-HK-International relationships in the lens of I&T developments, were joined by representatives from Chambers of Commerce, the Corporation, partner organisations, and park companies.
Photo 5: The ‘Global Innovation Exchange’ network has a focus on serving as a bridge for China-HK-International with I&T developments.
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