With its sophisticated high-tech infrastructure, tech-savvy professionals and consumers, robust protection of intellectual property rights and unique position within Mainland China, Hong Kong offers an excellent base for innovation and technology companies to tap into the high-growth markets of Mainland China and Asia Pacific.

Hong Kong has a strong tradition of collaboration between the private sector, universities and government supported high-tech facilities and research centres. This offers companies an ideal environment to reduce risk and increase the chances of success in developing and commercialising new technologies to meet the needs of the market.

In addition, the preferential treatment under the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) provides Hong Kong registered companies, of any nationality, easier access to market opportunities in Mainland China. Technology companies based in Hong Kong can also make good use of the advantages of the Pearl River Delta region in manufacturing and the vast Mainland market to achieve economies of scale for research and development (R&D) and product development.

To support the technological advancement of Hong Kong, the HKSAR Government invested HK$5 billion to set up the Innovation and Technology Fund, and provided state-of-the-art infrastructure including Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks, Cyberport, the Applied Science and Technology Research Institute and five R&D Centres. Various funding schemes and support programmes are also available to support the R&D and operation of technology companies in Hong Kong.

According to the Global Innovation Index Report 2009-2010 by Insead, HK is ranked Asia’s leader in innovation and third worldwide. In recent years, there has been a growing trend for innovation and technology companies to choose Hong Kong as their base for the Greater China market and the Asia-Pacific region, in particular, in electronics, biomedical (including including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, Chinese medicine, medical equipment and medical services), environmental technology, nanotechnology and precision engineering.

To find out more about the business opportunities in innovation and technology industry in Hong Kong, please contact Invest Hong Kong’s Head of Innovation and Technology now.