Hong Kong Highlights Innovation Opportunities at Seoul Reception for Korean Business Leaders

HKETO holds reception in Seoul to update Korean guests on latest I&T developments of Hong Kong and opportunities of GBA

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Tokyo (Tokyo ETO) held a reception in Seoul, Korea, today (August 28) to update some 250 guests from various sectors in Korea on the latest developments in Hong Kong's innovation and technology (I&T) landscape, as well as the opportunities available through Hong Kong as a gateway to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

In her welcoming remarks, the Principal Hong Kong Economic and Trade Representative (Tokyo), Miss Winsome Au, said that the bond between Hong Kong and Korea has always been strong.

"In 2023, Korea was Hong Kong's sixth largest merchandise trading partner, while we were Korea's 10thlargest trading partner, and fifth largest export market. In the first half of 2024, there were more than 250 000 arrivals of Hong Kong tourists to Korea. During the same period, there were some 420000 arrivals of Korean tourists to Hong Kong, representing a 270 per cent increase annually," she said.

At the reception, the Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Ms Maisie Chan, delivered a keynote speech on "Hong Kong - Your 'Super Connector' and 'Super Value-Adder' with the Guangdong-Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area". She introduced the prosperous development and business opportunities of the GBA in various areas, and encouraged the Korean talents and enterprises to capitalise on Hong Kong's strengths as the "super connector" and "super value-adder" to tap into the huge market of the GBA and the Mainland through Hong Kong.

"Hong Kong is a core city in the GBA. Thanks to the 'one country, two systems' principle, Hong Kong is the GBA's international entry point, the ideal base for Korean companies and talent looking to tap into the region's vast opportunities, and the best platform to build your Mainland and Asian business and career," she said.

The Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Ms Lillian Cheong, made a keynote speech at the reception on "Hong Kong - The Future of Innovation and Technology". She said that Hong Kong is in a golden age of I&T development with opportunities abound. It is now the best time to invest in I&T in Hong Kong, as a new I&T industry system has begun to take shape. Hong Kong will continue to advocate for and strengthen the efficient collaboration among the Government, industry, academic, research and investment sectors. This will bring more enterprises together to promote industry development, and facilitate a healthy technology and start-up environment.

Ms Cheong said, "With our proactive government initiatives and industry facilitation policies, as well as strong research and development capability promoting global I&T collaborations, these are all favourable factors creating a business-friendly environment for Korean technology companies and start-ups to grow, expand and succeed in Hong Kong."

HKETO holds reception in Seoul to update Korean guests on latest I&T developments of Hong Kong and opportunities of GBA Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO holds reception in Seoul to update Korean guests on latest I&T developments of Hong Kong and opportunities of GBA Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO holds reception in Seoul to update Korean guests on latest I&T developments of Hong Kong and opportunities of GBA Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO holds reception in Seoul to update Korean guests on latest I&T developments of Hong Kong and opportunities of GBA Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKETO holds reception in Seoul to update Korean guests on latest I&T developments of Hong Kong and opportunities of GBA Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED visits Paris

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, visited Paris September 12 and 13 (France time) and called on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the French National Research Agency.

On September 12 (France time), Dr Choi first visited UNESCO and met its Director of the Future of Learning and Innovation Team, Dr Sobhi Tawil, to discuss the latest trends in global education development. She said that Hong Kong strives to enhance the quality of education to provide better education for children, nurturing them to become virtuous, knowledgeable and responsible lifelong learners with global perspectives, positive values and attitudes, and love for the country and Hong Kong, who are ready for future challenges and opportunities. She looked forward to more collaborations with the international community including UNESCO for the betterment of children.

She then met members of the Directorate for Education and Skills of the OECD to discuss how best to improve the quality of teachers, teaching and learning, as well as the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values that students need in the 21st century, as well as new knowledge on curriculum design, implementation and evaluation.

On September 13 (France time), Dr Choi paid a courtesy call on the Chinese Ambassador to France, Mr Lu Shaye, to introduce Hong Kong's latest education policies and initiatives.

On the same day, she visited the French National Research Agency and met its Scientific Operations Director, Mr Dominique Dunon-Bluteau. She said that the Joint Research Scheme rolled out by the Agency and the Hong Kong Research Grants Council in 2012 has awarded close to 40 projects so far. The research partnership between Hong Kong and France not only has fostered significant research projects, but also has strengthened the bonds between the French and Hong Kong academic and research communities. Both sides have agreed to further enhance collaboration to bring more impactful research results to the communities.

On September 14 (France time), Dr Choi will meet Hong Kong youth studying or working in France to learn about their studies and career development there. She will also share Hong Kong's latest developments with them.

Dr Choi will attend the closing ceremony of WorldSkills Lyon 2024 on September 15 (France time).

SED visits Paris Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED visits Paris Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED visits Paris Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED visits Paris Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases