Hong Kong's ITC backs J Cube Semiconductor's $700 million project for advanced silicon carbide wafer production.

Third application announced under New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme supported by Vetting Committee and enhancement measure launched for New Industrialisation Funding Scheme

The Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) announced today (June 25) that the New Industrialisation Vetting Committee under the Innovation and Technology Fund has supported an application submitted by J Cube Semiconductor (Hong Kong) Limited under the New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme (NIAS). The project plans to set up third-generation semiconductor silicon carbide wafer production facilities, which fall under the advanced manufacturing technology sector. This is the third NIAS project supported by the Vetting Committee. The estimated total cost of the project is over $700 million, and the expected NIAS funding amount will be $200 million.

At the same time, to further support enterprises in adopting smart manufacturing and to seize market opportunities, the ITC has introduced an enhancement to the New Industrialisation Funding Scheme (NIFS). For NIFS applications seeking funding support of no more than $2.8 million, they will be processed according to the newly established streamlined procedures to speed up the process of approving NIFS applications.

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, said, "The Government actively promotes the development of new industrialisation through the NIAS and the NIFS, injecting new impetus into Hong Kong's economy. We are pleased that enterprises are making use of the funding support from these two schemes to set up new smart production facilities in Hong Kong. Funded enterprises will bring to Hong Kong the relevant technologies and expertise of product manufacturing, driving the development of Hong Kong's new industrialisation and diversified economy."

The Government launched the NIAS in September 2024. The NIAS provides funding support on a 1 (Government): 2(enterprise) matching basis for enterprises engaging in industries of strategic importance (i.e. life and health technology, AI and data science, advanced manufacturing and new energy technologies) and contributing no less than $200 million to setting up new smart production facilities in Hong Kong. For each project, the minimum total project cost is $300 million. Each enterprise can receive up to $200 million of funding under the NIAS. In addition, the Government encourages enterprises with approved projects under the NIAS to carry out research or increase their scale of research in Hong Kong by providing additional funding for them to engage research talent, as well as facilitating such enterprises in employing non-local talent required for setting up or operating the new production facilities in Hong Kong.

The NIFS aims to subsidise manufacturers on a 1 (Government): 2 (enterprise) matching basis to set up new smart production lines in Hong Kong. The funding ceiling for each project is one-third of the total project cost or $15 million, whichever is lower. Each enterprise can carry out up to three projects concurrently to receive a maximum total funding of up to $45 million under the NIFS.

The NIAS and the NIFS are open for applications throughout the year. Details are available on the website of the Innovation and Technology Fund (www.itf.gov.hk). For enquiries, please contact the Secretariat of the schemes (Tel: 3655 5678; email: enquiry@itf.gov.hk).

Employers, contractors and employees should be aware of electrical safety at work during rainstorms

As the rainstorm warning has been issued by the Hong Kong Observatory, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and contractors that they should adopt necessary work arrangements and take suitable safety measures to protect the safety of their employees when they are carrying out electrical work or handling electrical plant.

A spokesman for the LD said today (April 5) that employers and contractors should avoid assigning employees to carry out electrical work (such as electric arc welding work) or handle electrical plant at places affected by rainstorms, and should refer to the "Code of Practice in Times of Adverse Weather and 'Extreme Conditions'" and the "Guide on Safety at Work in times of Inclement Weather" issued by the LD.

Even if electrical work is carried out or electrical plant is handled at places not affected by a rainstorm, suitable safety measures must still be adopted to prevent an electric shock as the air would be more humid. Such measures include:

(i) Ensure that all live parts of an electrical installation are isolated from the power supply source and rendered dead, and the isolation from the power supply source must be maintained as long as electrical work is being carried out;

(ii) Before carrying out any electrical work or handling any electrical plant, cut off and lock out the power supply source, then test the circuit concerned to confirm that it is dead and display suitable warning notices, and issue a work permit thereafter;

(iii) Ensure that protective devices (such as suitable and adequate fuses and circuit breakers) for the electrical installations or electrical plant have been installed and maintained in good working order, and portable electric tools must be double-insulated or properly earthed;

(iv) Provide suitable personal protective equipment such as insulating gloves and insulating mats for employees; and

(v) If live electrical work is unavoidable, a comprehensive risk assessment should be conducted by a competent person and the appropriate safety precautions should be taken to remove or properly control the electrical hazards involved before such work can proceed.

In addition, employees should co-operate with the employer or contractor to follow the safety instructions and use the safety equipment provided.

The LD has published guidebooks and leaflets on electrical work safety. These safety publications are available free from divisional offices of the department or can be downloaded from its website (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/content2_8.htm).

Should there be any questions about occupational safety and health matters, please contact the Occupational Safety Officer of the LD at 2559 2297.

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