SUN DONG MEETS SINGAPORE OFFICIALS

Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong today called on Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies Heng Swee Keat on the second day of his visit to Singapore.

He briefed Mr Heng on Hong Kong's latest innovation and technology (I&T) developments since the promulgation of the Hong Kong I&T Development Blueprint last December.

While the city was keen to foster closer collaboration on the I&T front with other economies, including Singapore, Prof Sun said he looked forward to creating a powerful synergy that drives economic growth and innovation in the region.

The Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in Singapore and Invest Hong Kong organised a business luncheon which was attended by around 100 leaders and executives from the Singaporean I&T community.

The tech chief delivered a thematic speech "Hong Kong: The innovation powerhouse of Greater Bay Area (GBA) - Propelling the I&T development of the Region" at the luncheon.

Sharing the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's vision and efforts to develop Hong Kong into an international I&T centre, Prof Sun highlighted that Hong Kong and Singapore, both renowned as leading financial and business hubs in Asia, have immense potential to collaborate in the field of I&T development.

He pointed out that while Hong Kong is the primary gateway to Mainland China and a central city in the GBA powering its regional development, Singapore is one of the leading players and I&T powerhouses in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region.

By working together, both cities can become dual engines propelling the growth of I&T in the region, benefitting not only the two places but also the entire Asia-Pacific region, Prof Sun noted.

He added that Hong Kong can serve as a springboard for Singapore startups and enterprises to venture into the GBA and Mainland China markets. In contrast, Hong Kong tech companies can make full use of Singapore as a gateway to expand their businesses in the ASEAN region.

In the afternoon, Prof Sun called on Minister for Communications & Information Josephine Teo to exchange views on data, artificial intelligence and Singapore's Smart Nation initiatives. Mrs Teo also shared Singapore's experience in drafting Singapore's Personal Data Protection Act.

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