Speech by FS at Summer Talent Fest closing ceremony
Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the Summer Talent Fest closing ceremony today (August 15):
Sunny (Chairman of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, Dr Sunny Chai), Albert (Chief Executive Officer of theHong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, Mr Albert Wong), young talent from Hong Kong and abroad,
Good afternoon. It is a great pleasure to join you today at the Summer Talent Fest closing ceremony. It is particularly heartening to meet you, young future innovators.
Just now I had the opportunity to speak with a group of local and global talent who participated in the various internship programmes offered by Science Park. I am very pleased to hear that you have been enjoying your internships, which have provided you with a taste of Hong Kong's innovation and technology (I&T) landscape, valuable work experience with the startups, and inspiration for your career.
Innovation and technology is a priority policy area of this Government in promoting our economic development. With a free, open and multicultural environment, a burgeoning circle of startups, a vibrant financial ecosystem, and a deep pool of local and international talent, Hong Kong has built a flourishing I&T ecosystem with boundless opportunities for innovators. But what is perhaps most exciting about a career in this field is the difference you can make for the community, or even for humanity. There are plenty of such inspiring stories in human history.
For those of you joining this programme from the Mainland and abroad, let me emphasise that Hong Kong welcomes you. Our Government knows for a fact that talent is the cornerstone of our future. At the end of 2022, we introduced new talent admission programmes and revised existing ones. For example, the Top Talent Pass Scheme, which welcomes graduates from the global top 100 universities to explore opportunities in the city, even without a prior work offer. Response to these schemes is overwhelming. We have received over 340 000 applications, and more than 210 000 have been approved, of which 140 000 applicants have arrived in Hong Kong.
I am confident that after a brief stay here in Hong Kong, you will find this city an excellent place to live, work and raise a family. And please do share your experience here with your friends and peers back home. They will be very welcome as well.
Before I close, I wish to extend my congratulations once again to our young innovators. I eagerly look forward to seeing you again as a member of Hong Kong's I&T community in the future. I also thank the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks for organising the various internship programmes and, of course, this highly exciting Summer Talent Fest. May I wish you all the best of health, business and career in the time to come.
Thank you very much.
Speech by FS at Summer Talent Fest closing ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Speech by FS at Summer Talent Fest closing ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Speech by FS at Summer Talent Fest closing ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
