We are pleased to announce that our opinion presented to the government has received a positive response. We repeatedly urged the government to maintain the One Country Two Systems Principle and encourage Hong Kong to be more connected to the world.
In the 2023 policy address, the government has outlined various initiatives and measures that align with our recommendations. These include the establishment of the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy, the Hong Kong International Academy Against Corruption, and the promotion of the East-meets-West Centre for International Cultural Exchange. Additionally, the government has emphasized the importance of strengthening Hong Kong's status as an International Trade Centre, International Financial Centre, and Regional Intellectual Property Trading Centre, among others.
Also, we have specifically shared our opinions and recommendations to the government regarding attracting professional talents from ASEAN and Southeast Asia and have received positive feedback from the government.
The government in responses will add eight top-notch institutions to the list of eligible universities under the scheme and relax visa policies, demonstrating their commitment to attracting and retaining talents from diverse backgrounds. Hence, the government will relax the visa policy in respect of employment for Vietnamese talents and the criteria for Vietnamese applying for “multiple‑entry visas” for business and 16 travel. It also relaxes the visa policy for Laotian and Nepalese talents for employment, training, and study in University Grants Committee (UGC)‑funded institutions.
Finally, our policy address submission has mentioned “Prioritizing Innovation and Technology in Hong Kong Economic Development".
The measures outlined in the 2023 policy address demonstrate a solid commitment to prioritizing innovation and technology in Hong Kong's economic development. The government will establish the New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme and the funding allocation of $10 billion under the Innovation and Technology Fund, facilitating the downstream development of new industries. Furthermore, the commissioning of the Microelectronics Centre in Yuen Long InnoPark and the establishment of the Hong Kong Microelectronics Research and Development Institute showcase the government's efforts in promoting the growth of the microelectronics sector. We are also pleased to learn about the government's plans to establish the third InnoHK research cluster focusing on advanced manufacturing, materials, energy, and sustainable development.
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