Sun talks up HK as tech hub in Barcelona trip

Cheng Wong

Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong has met Spanish officials and business leaders to boost innovation exchanges between Hong Kong and Spain.

This came as Sun led a delegation from the SAR's innovation and technology sector at this week's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council coordinated the involvement of 24 local I&T enterprises and institutions in setting up a Hong Kong Tech Pavilion at the event, according to the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau.

The pavilion showcases the latest solutions in advanced electronics and robotics, artificial intelligence and data technology, digital transformation and the start-up ecosystem from the city's I&T sector.

Sun attended the pavilion's networking reception on Tuesday, where he witnessed the signing of Memorandum of Understanding between HKTDC and the Barcelona City Council that aims to enhance trade relations and collaboration between HKSTPC and 22@Network Barcelona and strengthen global connections for start-ups in both regions.

He then met with Spain's Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Universities, Juan Cruz Cigudosa, to discuss enhancing cooperation and exchanges.

Sun's delegation also visited the Barcelona Biomedical Research Park to learn about its cross-institutional collaboration model, clinical transformation outcomes, and the support services offered to the research centers.

They also toured the headquarters of a cosmeceutical brand named ISDIN, with Sun encouraging the company to leverage Hong Kong's international business environment to expand its global markets in the SAR, mainland and Asia.

They later attended a Chinese New Year reception hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels, sharing the SAR's vision and efforts to become an international I&T center with around 150 leaders and executives from Barcelona's business, political and I&T sectors.