Speech by FS at OASES Partnership Signing Ceremony (English only) (with photos/video)

     Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the OASES Partnership Signing Ceremony today (November 11):

Representatives of our valued strategic enterprise partners, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

     Good afternoon. It is my pleasure to welcome you all today to this partnership signing ceremony commissioned by the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises.

     This ceremony marks another step forward in realising our vision to become an international innovation and technology centre. Today, we celebrate the arrival of a new batch of 17 strategic enterprise partners. Together with the first two batches of partners, more than $42 billion of investments will be made and over 17 000 jobs created in this city in the coming few years. 

     It is particularly heartening to note that about 90 per cent of this new batch of enterprises are planning to set up their international or regional headquarters here in Hong Kong. 

     The partnership that we have been building with our strategic enterprises is indeed a symbiotic one. On the one hand, by leveraging our unique advantages under the "one country, two systems" arrangement, our status as an international financial centre, together with world-class universities and research institutions, top-notch professional services, and a highly skilled talent pool, Hong Kong will be the ideal springboard for strategic enterprises to grow and thrive, and to expand their reach in the region and beyond. On the other hand, their presence – your presence – together with the upstream, midstream or downstream partners you bring to work with us, enriches Hong Kong's innovation and technology ecosystem.

     And we are seeing good progress of this strategic partnership. Over 90 per cent of the enterprises from our previous two batches have already commenced their operations in Hong Kong. Nearly 70 per cent of them have chosen to set up their operations at the Science Park or Cyberport, underlining the strong and ever-growing collaboration with our two innovation flagships.

     Ladies and gentlemen, the Hong Kong SAR Government is committed to fast-tracking the development of our innovation and technology sector. The Chief Executive's latest Policy Address has outlined a number of measures to increase our investments in emerging industries such as AI, biotech and new energy; advance our strategic infrastructure such as the Northern Metropolis; and strengthen our collaboration with sister cities in the Greater Bay Area. I'm sure these initiatives will benefit our strategic enterprises, and bolster our city's position as an attractive destination for more enterprises.

     To all strategic enterprise partners here, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for choosing Hong Kong. Your decision is a resounding vote of confidence in the tremendous opportunities this city offers. My appreciation also goes to colleagues in OASES, InvestHK, the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau, and other government departments for all your efforts in assisting our strategic enterprises to settle into Hong Kong.

     Finally, let me take this opportunity to officially welcome our new Director-General of OASES, Mr Peter Yan, who has joined us recently. I look forward to the ongoing brilliance of the work of OASES under your leadership.

     I wish you all an enjoyable afternoon and every success in your business endeavours in the years to come. Thank you very much.