HKPC backs policy address to drive I&T and AI development

It also backed proposals to develop a green technology demonstration base.

The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) has welcomed the 2025 Policy Address delivered by Chief Executive John Lee, describing it as setting out forward-looking measures to foster innovation and technology (I&T) and drive high-quality economic development

HKPC Chairman Sunny Tan said the council would actively support the government’s efforts to promote new industrialisation and position Hong Kong as an international I&T hub and a global centre for artificial intelligence development.

He said the measures announced would help strengthen Hong Kong’s research capabilities and international standing whilst driving industrial and social transformation

The council expressed support for a range of initiatives set out in the Policy Address, including promoting AI+ integration across industries, launching a $3b Frontier Technology Research Support Scheme, and establishing the Hong Kong AI Research and Development Institute

It also backed proposals to develop a green technology demonstration base, promote battery-swapping electric vehicle infrastructure, and formulate hydrogen standards to accelerate green industrialisation

HKPC said it would support new measures to promote intellectual property financing, valuation, protection and trading, including the establishment of the Hong Kong Technology and Innovation Support Centre by year-end and a pilot scheme to subsidise patent valuations for small and medium-sized enterprises.

The council also welcomed the proposed Action Plan on Developing the Low-Altitude Economy, noting it is already serving as the technical partner for the government’s regulatory sandbox for such projects.

It said it would continue providing technical assessment, research and project coordination, and will open a Low-altitude Economy Tech Hall showcasing drone technologies and supply chains later this month.

In addition, HKPC supported the injection of $1.43b into the BUD Fund and its expansion to eight more economies, saying the move would help local SMEs explore overseas markets.

It said it would promote participation through its “Easy BUD” platform and continue supporting SMEs with its suite of services, whilst also backing the new Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global through its “The Cradle – Going Global Service Centre.”