HKPC Welcomes the Policy Address Empowering AI and Intellectual Property Economy Fully Support the Government in Developing New Productive Forces

(Hong Kong, 17 September 2025) The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) welcomes the 2025 Policy Address delivered by Chief Executive Mr. John Lee today, which introduces a series of forward-looking measures to foster innovation and technology (I&T) as well as high-quality economic development. HKPC will continue to actively support the HKSAR Government to promote new industrialisation, realize the vision of “deepening Reforms for our people, leveraging our strengths for a brighter future,” and join hands to develop Hong Kong as an international I&T hub and a global hub for artificial intelligence (AI) development. We are committed to strive for a vibrant economy, pursue development, and improve people's livelihood.

Hon Sunny TAN, Chairman of HKPC, said, “HKPC fully supports the newly announced initiatives in the Policy Address to promote I&T industries. We welcome initiatives such as fostering AI development and empowering SMEs with AI applications; launching the 'Intellectual Property Financing Sandbox'; formulating the Action Plan on Developing Low-Altitude Economy; Relaxing the application threshold for the New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme; formulating hydrogen standard certification; promoting the development of the EV battery recycling industry; accelerating the large-scale development of driverless autonomous driving in Hong Kong; injecting funds into the BUD Fund; and establishing the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis, etc. These measures will strengthen Hong Kong’s research capabilities and international standing, and drive industrial and social transformation and upgrading.

The Policy Address also notes the growing global demand for "Made in China" products. Mainland enterprises are accelerating their pace to ‘go global’, capitalising on the advantages of Hong Kong as an export platform. HKPC supports the Government’s establishment of the Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global and will proactively attract Mainland enterprises to use Hong Kong as a platform for overseas expansion. We provide enterprises with technical support, and through the newly established ‘The Cradle – Going Global Service Centre,’ we empower enterprises to implement their ‘go global’ strategies. This year marks as the preparatory year for the 15th Five-Year Plan, and new productive forces, as a major national strategic direction, present Hong Kong with brand new development opportunities. Moving forward, HKPC will continue to strengthen R&D and commercialisation of key core technologies, promote international cooperation in industrial and supply chains, and support the nation in achieving its high-quality development goals.”

Accelerating AI and New Industrialisation and Developing New Energy for a Green Future 
The Policy Address proposes to promote the development of AI+, facilitating the broad and deep integration of AI across industries while ensuring effective risk mitigation, driving both Government and business applications of AI. It also introduces a HK$3 billion Frontier Technology Research Support Scheme and the establishment of the Hong Kong AI Research and Development Institute. HKPC welcomes and fully supports these initiatives, aiming to empower cross-sectoral upgrading and transformation through AI and extend the benefits of technological development to the wider society. HKPC is pleased to see the Government setting an example by adopting AI in administration, thereby encouraging all sectors to enhance efficiency through advanced technologies. HKPC focuses on the development and commercialisation of industrial AI and robotics technologies, promoting new industrialisation and AI innovation in Hong Kong. We will continue to foster innovation in AI core technology R&D and talent cultivation.

The Policy Address also proposes the development of a green technology demonstration base to promote the commercialisation of green I&T outcomes, including supporting the market development of technologies for battery-swapping EVs and automated battery-swapping stations. HKPC has been actively promoting new industrialisation in Hong Kong, supporting enterprises to move towards high-end, intelligent, and green development through I&T, and has helped numerous local enterprises establish smart production lines. In the field of new energy, HKPC continues to drive technological breakthroughs and practical implementation, including new energy vehicle design, testing and certification, and the construction of battery-swapping stations, ensuring compliance with local and international standards. HKPC will continue to drive industrial transformation through technological innovation and support more Mainland enterprises in expanding globally via Hong Kong.

Developing the Intellectual Property Economy and Empowering Enterprise Innovation
The Policy Address proposes to promote the financing, valuation and protection of intellectual property (IP), and to enhance outward promotion in order to further foster IP trading. HKPC will continue to work diligently in establishing and operating the Hong Kong Technology and Innovation Support Centre (HKTISC), with the objective that, upon the Centre’s official commencement of operations by the end of the year, it will strengthen support for local small and medium I&T enterprises in the area of IP. We will also actively support the Government’s relevant initiative to provide patent evaluations to local small and medium I&T enterprises, and to launch a two-year pilot programme to subsidise patent valuations for use as a reference in credit financing.

Driving the Low-altitude Economy Industry on All Fronts and Building an Application Ecosystem
HKPC supports the Policy Address’s proposal to formulate the Action Plan on Developing Low-altitude Economy, which will foster institutional I&T breakthroughs, positioning Hong Kong as an Asia-Pacific hub for low-altitude innovation and applications. The Government will also launch advanced low-altitude economy “Regulatory Sandbox X” pilot projects, covering higher complexity application scenarios such as cross-boundary routes and passenger-carrying, low-altitude aircraft. As the current technical partner for the “Regulatory Sandbox” initiative, HKPC plays a key role in project technology assessments and will continue to provide support in research, technical evaluation, and project coordination going forward. Later this month, HKPC will inaugurate the “Low-altitude Economy Tech Hall,” showcasing the latest applications and full supply chain of drone technologies and the low-altitude economy.

Comprehensive Support for SMEs to Seize New Opportunities 
HKPC welcomes the Government’s injection of HK$1.43 billion into the BUD Fund and the expansion of its geographical scope to cover eight more economies, including B&R countries, as announced in the Policy Address. We will also enhance promotion and facilitate the participation of companies in exhibitions and export marketing activities through “Easy BUD”. The optimised measures will provide more targeted funding for local SMEs, helping them implement projects, explore overseas markets, and enhance their competitiveness. As a steadfast supporter of SMEs, HKPC has consistently collaborated with the industry to stay attuned to sector demands and market trends. Through six key services and support measures—including "Biz Expands Easy (BEE)," “SME Reachout“, "Digital DIY," HKPC Academy, Hong Kong Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Centre (HKCERT), and "ESG One ", we offer comprehensive assistance for SMEs in digital transformation and market expansion, enabling them to seize new market opportunities.

Looking ahead, HKPC will continue to fully support the Government in promoting I&T development, intensifying efforts to facilitate the commercialisation of research outcomes, promoting industrial upgrading and transformation, and fostering the development of emerging industries. This will help advance a new type of industrialisation, enhance the brand value of "Made in Hong Kong," cultivate new I&T talent, and leverage Hong Kong's unique advantages in connecting national and global I&T resources. Our goal is to position Hong Kong as a vital bridgehead for the development of new productive forces at the national level and as an international I&T center, injecting new momentum into Hong Kong's economy.

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The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) is a multi-disciplinary organisation established by statute in 1967, to promote productivity excellence through relentless drive of world-class advanced technologies and innovative service offerings to support Hong Kong enterprises. As a nationwide leader in innovative, market-driven research and development (R&D), specialising in leading technologies and all-rounded manufacturing services, HKPC promotes new industrialisation in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area and facilitates the development of new productive forces, leveraging innovation and technology (I&T), as well as bolstering Hong Kong to be an international I&T centre.

Hon Sunny TAN, Chairman of HKPC, said, HKPC fully supports and aligns with the series of measures announced by the Chief Executive in the Policy Address, helping to strengthen Hong Kong’s research capabilities and international standing, and driving industrial and social transformation and upgrading.