Budget | Set aside 10 billion to promote life and health technology and establish a microelectronics research and development institute

Financial Secretary Paul Chan will read a new Budget in the Legislative Council today (22nd), proposing to set aside 10 billion yuan to promote the development of life and health technology in Hong Kong, and to promote Hong Kong as an "international innovation and technology center" The advantages.

The government also plans to set up a microelectronics research and development institute to promote the development of microelectronics in Hong Kong.

In addition, the government will strengthen investment in start-ups, including an increase of 400 million yuan to the "Technology Enterprise Investment Fund" of the Science and Technology Park Corporation.

On February 22, Chen Maobo read out the first budget of the current government.

(Photo by Lu Yiming)

The budget aims at the two major areas of "transformation of scientific research achievements" and "research and development of life and health technology" in life and health technology, and allocates 6 billion yuan to subsidize universities and scientific research institutions to set up themed research institutes to promote cross-university, institution and discipline cooperation.

In 2023/24, the government will invite institutions and institutions interested in setting up a Life and Health Research Institute to submit proposals.

In addition, in order to strengthen basic research in artificial intelligence, quantum technology and other scientific and technological fields, the government will set aside 3 billion yuan to promote related construction, give full play to Hong Kong's unique advantages as an international scientific research cooperation platform, and introduce leading innovation and technology talents from the Mainland and around the world. Scientific research teams and enterprises to promote cross-field scientific research cooperation.

The government expects that the Microelectronics R&D Institute established will become a leading institution in the Asia-Pacific region to support the development of microelectronics, and can strengthen cooperation with universities, R&D centers and the industry, speed up the transformation of scientific and technological achievements from "one to N", and gather related To strengthen the cultivation of local scientific research talents and further improve the innovation and technology ecosystem.

In terms of start-ups, the Science and Technology Park Corporation will integrate the existing "Enterprise Acceleration Program", invest an additional 110 million yuan, and jointly launch a "Joint Enterprise Acceleration Program" with partners to cultivate high-potential technology start-ups to become regional or global enterprises.

The government has also set aside 265 million yuan for the Cyberport to launch an incubation program for smart life start-ups.

The maximum subsidy amount of the scheme is 500,000 yuan, which will provide targeted professional support and counseling for start-ups. He expects that in the next five years, about 90 eligible start-ups will benefit each year.

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