Chen Maobo: Hong Kong's first look at the industrial space in the northern metropolitan area in the next five years
On the 20th, the Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Paul Chan, posted on his blog that the direction and specific goals set out in the "First Five Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030)" (referred to as the "First Five Year Plan for Hong Kong") are clear. Among them, space is a prerequisite for the development of innovation and technology, and Hong Kong's industrial space is first seen in the Northern Metropolis (referred to as "Beidu").
Chen Maobo stated that Hong Kong's first five-year plan mentioned that in five years, the northern capital will produce 900 hectares of "cultivated land"; The proportion of manufacturing and new industrial added value to GDP has risen to 5.5%, and the total expenditure on local innovation activities in Hong Kong is also striving to reach 3% of GDP.
Chen Maobo pointed out that the area and future population of Beidu account for about one-third of Hong Kong's total, and it has gradually entered the harvest period from the blueprint: a total of no less than 200 hectares of land will be produced in the next two years, and all 9 new development areas will be launched, of which 4 have already started construction, involving about 800 hectares of land.
In terms of industry, Chen Maobo introduced that more than 100 innovative technology enterprises and institutions have settled in the Hong Kong Industrial Park in Hetao, and all two wet laboratory buildings have been rented out; Xintian Science and Technology City will connect a total of 210 hectares of innovative land with Hetao to form a chain. Hongshuiqiao Industrial Park is currently in substantive negotiations with advanced construction, testing and certification enterprises to add a market link to the industrial chain.
In terms of talent, Chen Maobo pointed out that the three university towns in Beidu are arranged with "one city, five elements", and the total planned area has been expanded to over 1000 hectares. In line with the development of the university town, the number of graduate program places has increased to 9600, and the number of Hong Kong doctoral scholarship places has increased to 550.
In addition, in terms of financial support, Chen Maobo introduced that the SAR government will submit a revised draft regulation before the end of the year, providing 5% or half tax incentives for key enterprises engaged in finance, advanced manufacturing, innovative research and development, headquarters activities, logistics, and supply chain management. The Beidu Financial Consulting Working Group, which gathers 23 banks, will tailor financing plans for the companies that have settled in.
Chen Maobo continued to point out that the new policy address has transformed these five-year goals into actual progress of work for the year, with responsible departments and responsibilities for each item, which can be reviewed year by year. Hong Kong is currently standing at a critical juncture with enormous development potential. The blueprint has been drawn, and it must be gradually realized with greater confidence and perseverance. (Looking into the New Era)
