Technology
(esp. Biotech and Electronics)
Hong
Kong serves as the key electronics parts sourcing and distribution hub for
Asia. Hong Kong has over 10,000 overseas and indigenous electronics companies.
Hong Kong's electronics industry is the largest merchandise export earner
amounting to HK$907,757 million and accounting for 45% of Hong Kong's total
exports in 2004.
There are over 200 pharmaceutical manufacturers of which more than 60 are
licensed to produce Western drugs in Hong Kong. All Western drug manufacturers
have to comply the GMP standards. Major international biotechnology players
have presences of regional headquarters or regional office here in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong has also becoming the regional Traditional Chinese Medicine hub.
World-Class
Research and Development Infrastructure
Hong Kong has all the conditions
in place to be a regional technology hub: rigorous
IP protection, well established legal framework, world class IT and transportation network
and excellent technological infrastructure.
The
Hong Kong Government has supplemented Hong Kong's infrastructure through
supporting a number of initiatives, including:
Biotechnology
Hong Kong's Biotech
Infrastructure
Hong
Kong Institute of Biotechnology (HKIB)
Opened in 1988, it is one of the best equipped manufacturing technology centres
for vaccines and biopharmaceuticals in Asia and the key organisation conducting
downstream research on fermentation under GMP in Hong Kong.
Biotechnology Research Institute (BRI) BRI was set up in 1990 and has a
multi-disciplinary team seeking to develop neuro-drugs from traditional Chinese
medicines (TCMs). It has developed high-throughput screening for TCM and
collaborates with overseas biotechnology companies.
The
Hong Kong Jockey Club Institute of Chinese Medicine Company Limited (HKJCICM)
A subsidiary of ASTRI incorporated in May 2001 to strengthen the scientific
and technological research base for Chinese medicines and facilitate their
commercialisation.
Through the admission of talents scheme, Hong Kong attracts mainland Chinese
professors and other skilled workers to work local experts on technology
projects.
Hong Kong Government has committed significant resources to support technology
industry through the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF) and university grants,
to fund the projects ranging from infrastructure projects, applied R&D,
product development to promotional activities.
Rapid
Evolution
Hong Kong's biotechnology industry is rapidly evolving to take advantage of new
technologies and markets, attracting a wide range of foreign companies, from
giants like Eli Lilly to new start-ups. Drawing on expertise in both Western and
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), biotech companies based in Hong Kong are
assured of a large pool of talent and capital to develop the Asian markets.
A Pharmaceuticals Centre
Hong Kong has a sophisticated healthcare system, presenting a strong local
market for leading pharmaceutical companies. Excited by the possibilities for
growth, many traditional blue chip companies in Hong Kong have recently
established biotechnology investment arms.
Leveraging
the Mainland
Hong Kong's proximity to the Mainland, one of the fastest growing pharmaceutical
markets in the world, makes it an ideal operations base for international
biotechnology companies seeking to exploit the business potentials in Asia. The
potential for commercialisation of its traditional medicines and herbal drugs
remains largely unexplored.
With a population of over 1.2 billion, in 57 ethnic groups, the Mainland endows
with a highly diversified human genome pool. Hong Kong based companies can tap
the vast resources and participate in joint applied genomic and biotech research
projects to develop new biotechnology applications at low cost.
A Research Resource
The rigorous intellectual property protection legislation in Hong Kong enhances
the development of new technology and innovation. This is recognised by both
international and mainland Chinese firms. Hong Kong has world-class standards
and international recognition in the area of clinical research, conducted mainly
at its two teaching hospitals. The local universities also enjoy
state-of-the-art research facilities and close cooperation with the public
hospital network and private sector.
More....
Hong
Kong Biotechnology Association
Modernized
Chinese Medicine International Association
Hong
Kong Association of the Pharmaceutical Industry
Hong
Kong Jockey Club Institute of Chinese Medicine
Genome
Research Centre, University of Hong Kong
Clinical
Trial Centre, University of Hong Kong
Centre
for Clinical Trials, the Chinese University of Hong Kong
Electronics
A Regional
Electronics Centre
Hong Kong is a major
centre for the Asian electronics industry. It offers a solid research base,
superb communications network, easy access to low cost manufacturing bases in
the Mainland, a well-established intellectual property law regime and an
excellent infrastructure.
Hong Kong's high tech, pro-business environment has attracted a large number of
multinational companies, including all the top semiconductor houses and many
leading international electronics companies. It is an ideal location from which
to control global manufacturing, R&D, marketing and the distribution of
electronics products in the region.
Moving
up the Value Chain
Hong Kong's traditional skills in manufacturing have created a vast production
base in southern China. Riding on its success in manufacturing, Hong Kong now
concentrates on the value-added end of the spectrum, doing product design,
quality control, marketing and management.
Capitalising on its efficient allocation of resources, Hong Kong companies offer
comprehensive and high quality services to international customers, ranging from
turnkey design, contract manufacturing to logistics support.
Application
of Advanced Technology
The
electronics industry is Hong Kong's largest recipient of foreign investment, and
the largest export earner in Hong Kong's manufacturing sector. Advanced
techniques including the surface mount technology, fine-pitch technology, chip
scale packaging, ball grid array technology, tape-automated-bonding technology
and chip-on-glass technology are used in the manufacturing process.
To underscore the quality of the products, many local producers comply with ISO
9000 and 14000 standards.
A
Significant Resource Base
Hong
Kong offers an abundant supply of engineers, managers, administrators,
technicians and skilled workers. Eight of its well-respected universities add
over 6,000 graduates in science, technology and engineering to the workforce
each year. Local immigration policies make it easy for professional expatriates
from all around the world to work in Hong Kong. It is also getting easier to
source talent from the Mainland, the largest pool of scientific and technical
expertise in Asia.
More...Hong
Kong Electronics Industry Association
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