High-tech, customised production is on track to thrive in Hong Kong: panellists at “Crafting Tomorrow: A Fresh Look at Advanced Manufacturing in Hong Kong”

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• Hong Kong’s push for advanced manufacturing is being propelled by government support, innovation from top-tier research institutions and universities, and the dedication of enterprising companies.
• Efforts are gaining momentum as Hong Kong successfully lures leading global firms to establish research and development and high-tech production bases in the city.

The Hong Kong Government has escalated its backing for advanced manufacturing in the city, according to Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, HKSAR. 

In his Keynote speech at the forum “Crafting Tomorrow: A Fresh Look at Advanced Manufacturing in Hong Kong”, Sun highlighted that new industrialisation promotion, one of the four primary development strategies outlined in the 2022 ‘Hong Kong Innovation and Technology (I&T) Development Blueprint’, hinges on advanced manufacturing.

HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee outlined in his latest Policy Address several initiatives aimed at fostering new industrialisation and bolstering advanced manufacturing in Hong Kong, Sun said. “A New Industrialisation Development Office will be set up to aid strategic enterprises and start-ups in their growth and development in the city. It will also help the manufacturing sector upgrade and transform through the effective use of I&T.” Furthermore, a fund of HK$10 billion has been earmarked to support qualifying companies in setting up production facilities in Hong Kong.

Support from the government has contributed to the rapid expansion of  Hong Kong’s advanced manufacturing and I&T ecosystem. The city boasts the Science Park, Cyberport, multiple InnoParks, an AMC, and leading research universities. The government is planning to establish a second AMC, the Hong Kong Microelectronics Research and Development Institute, and the Microelectronics Centre. It’s also contemplating a third InnoHK research cluster, focusing on advanced manufacturing, materials, energy, and sustainable development to foster global R&D collaboration. In addition, Hong Kong’s ecosystem is bolstered by its top-tier testing, certification sector, and robust accreditation system.

Another keynote speaker at the forum, Chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries (FHKI), Steve Chuang, said Hong Kong industrialists have been preparing for advanced manufacturing. A 2022 FHKI’s survey revealed that 27 percent of respondents were well-versed in IoT applications for manufacturing and 44 percent were familiar with them. He added that half of the surveyed companies plan to leverage 5G IoT to accelerate production. The planned construction of a supercomputing centre is set to further strengthen Hong Kong’s digital infrastructure and 5G capabilities.