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Accelerating the development of “New Productive Forces” through technological and industrial innovation is a priority for the Central Government. To support this strategy, the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) has opened the “Future Manufacturing Hall” (FM Hall) in Hong Kong. The FM Hall showcases “Microfactory” concepts and advanced manufacturing technologies, highlighting Hong Kong’s strengths in innovation and industrialisation.
The FM Hall integrates the innovative “Microfactory” concept, which leverages advanced smart production technologies to enhance production flexibility and space utilisation. Features like customisation, small batch production, and quick market responsiveness are instrumental in upgrading traditional industries and developing emerging ones.
The Hall gathers successful cases from the Greater Bay Area (GBA), highlighting Hong Kong’s unique industrial advantages. It aims to be the largest demonstration platform for “New Productive Forces” in South China, fostering deeper exchanges and cooperation between Hong Kong, the mainland, and international sectors.
The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region emphasised that developing new quality productive forces is crucial for high-quality economic development. He noted that Hong Kong should leverage its unique advantages, promoting new industrialisation to support high-quality development and better integration into national development. He commended HKPC as a strategic partner supporting the government’s efforts in I&T development and new industrialisation.
The Chairman of HKPC stated that the FM Hall showcases HKPC’s efforts in helping enterprises set up smart production lines, especially under the New Industrialisation Funding Scheme (NIFS). HKPC encourages enterprises to utilise government funding for smart production lines to enhance productivity. In January, the Hong Kong SAR Government introduced optimised measures for the NIFS, providing up to HK$45 million to support enterprises in setting up smart production lines using innovative technologies.
The HKPC Chairman mentioned that as a market-oriented applied R&D institution, HKPC collaborates with various parties, engaging with over 47,000 local SMEs. In the past two years, HKPC’s projects have received over 200 awards, including the Edison Award and the R&D 100 Awards. To foster I&T talent development, HKPC offered over 1,000 training activities last year, with over 50,000 participants.
HKPC continues to deepen cooperation with local, mainland, and international research institutions and universities, including collaborations with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tsinghua University, MIT, and Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology. HKPC is also exploring collaborations with international technology companies, such as establishing the “HKPC-HP 3D Printing Technology Centre” with HP in Hong Kong.
The HKPC Chairman added that HKPC hopes the FM Hall helps the public and enterprises understand new productive forces and assists Hong Kong in integrating into the national development landscape. HKPC will continue to support enterprises with advanced technology, talent training, and government funding schemes.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is crucial for developing new productive forces and achieving new industrialisation. Based on the FM Hall, HKPC launched the “AI Applications Hall” to show how AI technology can assist smart manufacturing, enhance the industrial value chain, and increase production efficiency. The hall includes industrial AI applications, allowing SMEs and startups to showcase their innovative AI products, strengthening exchanges and cooperation among industry, academic, and research sectors.
On the opening day, HKPC signed cooperation agreements with the International Advanced Technology Application Promotion Center (Pudong) and the Yangtze River Delta National Technology Innovation Center, unveiling the “Hong Kong-Yangtze River Delta Joint Innovation Centre.” This marks a new stage of technological innovation cooperation between the Yangtze River Delta region and Hong Kong. The centre will conduct joint research, product development, technology transfer, academic exchange, and talent cultivation.
Additionally, HKPC and the International Advanced Technology Application Promotion Center (Pudong) will collaborate on integrated circuits, AI, smart cities, intelligent manufacturing, green technology, digital technology, cybersecurity, biomedicine, and aerospace. They aim to promote the transformation and industrialisation of major scientific and technological achievements, assist enterprises in technological innovation, and accelerate the development of new productive forces and high-quality industrial development.
