(Hong Kong, 17 December 2020) Prudential Hong Kong Limited (Prudential) and the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) today announced the survey results of “Prudential Hong Kong Smart Health COVID-19 Study 2020”, with people in Hong Kong being found to have attached great importance to physical and mental health under the COVID-19 pandemic. They have also increased their technology application on health management and shown demand for telemedicine services. The results facilitate the development of smart health in the community, while paving the way for Hong Kong to become a smart city.

(Hong Kong, 17 December 2020) The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) initiated gerontechnology industry cluster, “Glink”, today organised the virtual “Gerontechnology Conference - Insight of Gerontechnology in Hong Kong”, diving deep into various topics relating to innovative technologies and home caring.

(Hong Kong, 11 December 2020) The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) initiated gerontechnology industry cluster, “GLink”, will organise the virtual “Gerontechnology Conference - Insight of Gerontechnology in Hong Kong” on 17 December 2020. Industry experts from HKSAR Government departments, social welfare and healthcare industries, academia and research institutions will join forces to shed light on the latest trend and development of gerontechnology, in a hope to elevate living standard of the elderly through innovative technologies.

(Hong Kong, 9 December 2020) In light of the latest development of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) announced, starting from tomorrow (10 December), training programmes and activities to be held at the HKPC Building will be conducted through HKPC Live online platform, remote format, or will be postponed. Also, its venue rental services will be suspended while Inno Space will be closed to the public until further notice.

(Hong Kong, 2 December 2020) Organised by the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC), the large-scale “Foresight 2021” virtual forum drew to a successful close on 27 November. This 5-day spotlight event covered a wide spectrum of topics from Regionalisation, Service go Virtual, Connected & Contactless, Agile Workforce – Anywhere, Anytime to Sustainability, with 260K+ hits on the website. The overwhelming response indicated that SMEs are proactively exploring new business models and development potentials under the new normal, leveraging new technologies to drive new economy.

(Hong Kong, 25 November 2020) The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) welcomes a series of support measures announced in the Chief Executive’s 2020 Policy Address for SMEs to promote sales in the Mainland and tap into the overseas markets, and to endeavour to drive forth the development of innovation and technology (I&T), leveraging innovation to pivot the new economy of Hong Kong.

(Hong Kong, 23 November 2020) Organised by the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC), the “Foresight 2021” (http://u.hkpc.org/foresight2021-15) was kicked off today by launching the thematic “Foresight Leader Forum” on “How Technologies can Equip SMEs for the New Economies?”.

(Hong Kong, 13 November 2020) The first “Hong Kong Cyber Security New Generation Capture the Flag Challenge 2020”, jointly organised by the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) and its Hong Kong Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Centre (HKCERT), held its award presentation ceremony today, recognising the outstanding efforts of students from local secondary schools and tertiary institutions in acquiring cyber security knowledge through leveraging creative thinking for problem solving.

(Hong Kong, 11 November 2020) The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) today announced the “Standard Chartered Hong Kong SME Leading Business Index” (“Standard Chartered SME Index”) for the fourth quarter of 2020, which recorded an overall index at 37.5, representing an increase of 7.7 compared to the previous quarter and indicating a continuous uptrend for two consecutive quarters.

(Hong Kong, 10 November 2020) The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) will organise “Foresight 2021”, a large-scale virtual forum from 23 to 27 November, with heavy-weighted business leaders and academics sharing insights on the upcoming trend of enterprise transformation, technology innovation and new economic development in 2021, in order to support SMEs to cope with challenging business environment in 2020 and leverage new technology to embrace opportunities in the new economic era of 2021.  

(Hong Kong, 4 November 2020) The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) published and tabled at the Legislative Council today its Annual Report 2019-2020, recounting HKPC’s various achievements on advancing Hong Kong reindustrialisation, Industry 4.0 (i4.0) and Enterprise 4.0 (e4.0), which were set to assist SMEs in transformation and upgrading, enabling them to sustain operations and enhance market competitiveness amid the economic adversity.

(Hong Kong, 19 October 2020) Tertiary and secondary students in Hong Kong wondering what the world of cyber security is like are invited to enter the first-ever “Hong Kong Cyber Security New Generation - Capture the Flag Challenge 2020” jointly organised by the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) and its Hong Kong Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Centre.

(Hong Kong, 12 October 2020) The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC), for the first time, will launch the “2020 Winter Internship” in December, following the conclusion of its annual Summer Internship programme. It aims to encourage local and overseas tertiary students to engage in technology research and development (R&D) after graduation.

(Hong Kong, 8 October 2020) The first large-scale “TechEd” Experience Day + Carnival, hosted by HKPC Academy’s Inno Space of the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) and co-organised by the Innovation and Technology Bureau (ITB) of the HKSAR Government, will take place from 9 to 11 October at HKPC Building, joining forces from innovative technology, education sectors, and supporting organisations for the promotion of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education.

(Hong Kong, 6 October 2020) The “HKPC Sourcing Fair 2020”, a large-scale local sourcing event hosted by the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) and co-organised by SME ReachOut, will be held online on 13 October. Through a series of overarching free webinars, the Fair will exhibit HKPC and supporting organisations’ procurement needs on five major applied technologies, including big data, artificial intelligence (AI), 5G, IoT (Internet of Things), robotics, advanced material & machinery, and digital transformation.

(Hong Kong, 21 September 2020) In light of unprecedented challenges posed to Hong Kong by persistent global economic uncertainties due to COVID-19 and other external factors, the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) today announced to extend the special relief measures of 50% concessions* for Hong Kong SMEs, including startups, to 31 March 2021*. The special offer will continue to apply to all new R&D and consultancy projects, testing services as well as HKPC venue charges. Details are as follows:  

(Hong Kong, 27 August 2020) The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) today announced the “Standard Chartered Hong Kong SME Leading Business Index” (“Standard Chartered SME Index”) for the third quarter of 2020, which recorded a mild increase to 29.8 as compared to the previous quarter. All the five component sub-indices* also slightly went up - among which the “Investment Sentiment” and the “Recruitment Sentiment” contributed to most of the rise.

(Hong Kong, 27 August 2020) Organised by the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) and co-organised by the Trade and Industry Department (TID), “SME ReachOut: Fund Fair Everywhere 2020” (https://fundfair.hkpc.org/), a large-scale online event, has attracted an overwhelming response with 30k+ having joined nearly 40 live webinars, around 15k visited the 50+ virtual exhibition booths and recorded 180k+ traffic to the online portal in the past three days, reflecting the desire of SMEs and industries for funding support.

(Hong Kong, 24 August 2020) Organised by the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) and co-organised by the Trade and Industry Department (TID), "SME ReachOut: Fund Fair Everywhere 2020" (https://fundfair.hkpc.org/) is a massive free three-day online event that provides SMEs and industry sector with 50+ virtual info booths, close to 40 live thematic webinars and practical application form explanatory workshops of popular funding schemes; aiming to allow participants to obtain knowledge, consultation, and interaction instantly through the one-stop platform.

(Hong Kong, 18 August 2020) Hong Kong SMEs have been facing acute challenges in doing businesses, against the backdrop of global economic uncertainties and the prevailing COVID-19 epidemic. HKPC will organise a large-scale free online exhibition “SME ReachOut: Fund Fair Everywhere 2020” from 24 to 26 August, aiming to provide SMEs and startups with first-hand information on Government funding schemes and programmes.

(Hong Kong, 28 July 2020) The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) welcomes the launch of the Re-industrialisation Funding Scheme under the Innovation Technology Fund of the HKSAR Government to provide financial support for manufacturers to set up new smart production lines in Hong Kong. Mr Mohamed Butt, Executive Director of HKPC, said, “Re-industrialisation has brought new opportunities to Hong Kong.

(Hong Kong, 19 July 2020) In light of the COVID-19 epidemic persisting locally, the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) today announced to continue its special work arrangements. Starting from tomorrow (20 July 2020), operations at the HKPC Building will remain minimal and all HKPC staff, except those with critical functions only, should work from home until further notice. During the period, all webinars, projects, services and daily operation will remain normal and continue as usual. Members of the public can still contact HKPC staff by telephone or email.

(Hong Kong, 14 July 2020) In view of recent development of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) has implemented special work arrangements from today (14 July 2020) to 19 July 2020. Staff members providing essential services, including all those supporting and implementing Government funding schemes, testing services, HKPC venue and security personnel, will work to an alternate shift arrangement. Other staff members can choose to work from home.

(Hong Kong, 21 May 2020) The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) is going to organise its first “HKPC Virtual Recruitment Fair” from 28 to 31 May 2020 to pave the way for talents who wish to join HKPC for realising their dreams of innovation. The recruitment fair will offer about 100 positions covering smart manufacturing, robotics and artificial intelligence (AI), smart city, and digital transformation etc., which contribute to the development of innovation and technology industry. The interactive webinars and online interview sessions are now open for registration.

(Hong Kong, 19 May 2020) The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) is profoundly saddened by the passing away of its former Chairman Dr Allen Lee, JP and conveys its deepest condolences to his family.

“SSH Hong Kong Enterprise Cyber Security Readiness Index Survey” Down 2.4 Points to 46.9 - Staying Vigilant for Cyber Threats in Stormy Times

(Hong Kong, 5 May 2020) The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) today announced the “Standard Chartered Hong Kong SME Leading Business Index” (“Standard Chartered SME Index”) for the second quarter of 2020, which recorded a decrease by 6.9 points from last quarter’s 33.1 to 26.2. All the five sub-indices* of the Overall Index went down simultaneously, reflecting that SMEs’ confidence towards the business environment turns weak.

(Hong Kong, 20 April 2020) The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) today announced the inaugural survey results of the “Prudential Hong Kong Smart Health Action Index”, reporting an Overall Index at 49.8 (maximum being 100), which has reached the “basic” level (≧40) but is still some way from being deemed a “good” level (≧60). It reflects that while the concept of people using technology to manage their health is starting to take root and some of them are embracing a healthy lifestyle, there exists room for improvement in practical applications and individuals’ health habits. 

(Hong Kong, 20 April 2020) With the aim to bolster local SMEs overcome the adversities triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, SME ReachOut operated the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) will launch the first-ever “Fund Fair GO Online” from 23 to 29 April through the “HKPC Live” online platform. These efforts will be essential to the enterprises in keeping abreast to the latest HKSAR Government funding scheme information and application details anytime, anywhere, and at no cost. 
 

(Hong Kong, 22 March 2020) In view of the COVID-19 pandemic persisting, the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) will implement special work arrangements again from 23 to 29 March 2020. HKPC Building will maintain basic operations during the period. All HKPC staff, except those with critical functions, can choose to work from home. All projects, services and daily operation will remain normal and continue as usual. Members of the public can still contact HKPC staff by telephone or email.

(Hong Kong, 16 March 2020) The Advisory Committee on Recycling Fund (RFAC) today announced the launch of the “One-off Recycling Industry Anti-epidemic Scheme” (ORIAS) to help the recycling industry cope with the current economic situation and recent operation difficulties brought by the COVID-19 virus infection. Similarly, the RFAC has decided to extend the earlier-launched “One-off Rental Support Scheme” (ORSS) for another 6 months to fight the virus and ride out the difficult times with the recycling industry.

(Hong Kong, 11 March 2020) The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) today announced special relief measures to offer SMEs, including Startups, half-price concession* from 12 March 2020 to 30 September 2020*. The special offer applies to all new R&D and consultancy project, testing services as well as HKPC venue charges. These measures will substitute the concessionary offers announced in September 2019. Details are as follows:

(Hong Kong, 1 March 2020) In view of the spread of the COVID-19 worldwide, the demand for masks has surged significantly, aggravating the acute supply shortage situation in Hong Kong which largely relies on import for masks and driving up prices. The HKSAR Government has decided to launch the “Local Mask Production Subsidy Scheme” (the Scheme) under the Anti-epidemic Fund, facilitating the start of local mask production as soon as possible to help address the imminent shortage as well as to build up some reserve stock.

(Hong Kong, 26 February 2020) The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) welcomes the HKSAR Government’s 2020-2021 Budget proposals to roll out measures on “supporting enterprises, safeguarding jobs, stimulating the economy and relieving people's burden”, to alleviate SMEs’ imminent needs and help them battle the economic headwinds. HKPC supports prior measures that the Government has already implemented to back up the industry.

(Hong Kong, 3 February 2020) In light of the novel coronavirus infection persisting, the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) announced that all its venues, Inno Space and HKPC Academy will be closed to the public until 1 March 2020. Its venue rental services will be suspended during the period. Also, all training programmes, visits and seminars, both external and internal, from now to 1 March 2020 will either be postponed or cancelled. In addition, study missions originally scheduled for February will be postponed until further notice.

(Hong Kong, 28 January 2020) To tie in with the response level under the HKSAR Government’s "Preparedness and Response Plan for Novel Infectious Disease of Public Health Significance" being raised to Emergency Response Level and reduce the risk of spreading the novel coronavirus in the community, the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) today (28 January 2020) announced that services at Inno Space and HKPC Academy will be suspended from tomorrow (29 January 2020) and all training and visitor programmes held at HKPC will be cancelled or postponed tentatively until 17 February 2020.

(Hong Kong, 23 January 2020) The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) recently received recognition for its homegrown innovative inventions with 7 inventions winning 8 awards among 3 local and international exhibitions and competitions, taken HKPC to new heights. 

(Hong Kong, 21 January 2020) The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) today released the “Standard Chartered Hong Kong SME Leading Business Index” (Standard Chartered SME Index) for the first quarter of 2020, which recorded an increase by 1.7 points from last quarter’s 31.4 to 33.1. All the five sub-indices* of the Overall Index also went up simultaneously, reflecting that SMEs’ confidence towards the business environment has improved when entering 2020.

(Hong Kong, 16 January 2020) The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) today urged enterprises and the public to keep up their vigilance against an anticipated surge in cyber attacks arising from the use of new technologies such as AI, Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G communications, after its Hong Kong Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Centre (HKCERT) recorded significant hikes in Botnet and phishing website reports in Hong Kong for 2019.