Futian science park sets sights on 150 corporates

The Hong Kong Science Park Shenzhen branch in Futian is aiming to attract around 150 corporates to embark on their premises.

Peter Mok Wai-hin, head of the Greater Bay Area of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, said most of the 16 innovative technology companies already operating in Shenzhen are headquartered in the Hong Kong Science and Technology Park in Pak Shek Kok.

Around 30 to 40 companies will move into the Shenzhen branch within the coming three months and the number will further rise to 50 by the end of the year, Mok said.

There are two buildings in the branch, including one with a gross floor area of 21,000 square meters that can accommodate some 60 mature enterprises, Mok said, adding that he expects the building to be fully occupied by the end of next March.

The other building, with a floor area of 10,000 square meters, will be available for some 100 medium to small-sized companies, he said.

Mok hopes the Shenzhen branch can bring the experience of the HKSTP over the past 20 years to Shenzhen and further extend the services to the Greater Bay Area. This would also help innovation companies to enter the mainland market.

He does not think the Shenzhen branch will affect the status of the science and technology park in Hong Kong, saying more companies will come to the SAR if the city can support companies to move into a bigger market.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said the completion of the Shenzhen branch is a result of "win-win cooperation" between Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

"The two buildings at the Shenzhen branch will provide perfect supporting facilities for enterprises to promote core technology fields, including life science, fintech and microelectronics," he said. "I hope the Shenzhen branch will continue to improve advanced facilities and programs, promote exchanges and cooperation among innovation sector elites and create more opportunities in scientific research, smart manufacturing, artificial intelligence and sustainable development, in order to solve social programs and contribute to the mankind."

Lee said Hong Kong is an international center for finance, shipping and trade, with a good business environment and five top global universities.

The SAR government also published the Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint at the end of last year, setting up a development path for the SAR's I&T development over the next five to 10 years.

"Hong Kong will continue to make every effort to promote the development of the GBA into a world-renowned international I&T hub, as well as contribute to the country's high-level of self-reliance and strength in science and technology," Lee added.