HKETO Berlin promotes Hong Kong's developments in Northern Metropolis and innovation and technology in Germany
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (HKETO Berlin) highlighted Hong Kong's latest developments in the Northern Metropolis and innovation and technology (I&T) at the international conference New Horizons in Future Technologies, held in Chemnitz, Germany, on May 28 and 29 (Chemnitz time).
The conference, which was cohosted by Industrieverein Sachsen 1828, German Global Trade Forum Berlin, and the University of Technology Chemnitz, brought together representatives from the government, business, academic, and diplomatic community. A highlight of the conference was the forum held on May 29, where representatives from Germany and senior diplomats exchanged insights on global development trends and technological developments.
Speaking at the forum, the Director of the HKETO Berlin, Mr Indiana Wong, highlighted the strategic development of the Northern Metropolis as well as the I&T ecosystem in Hong Kong. He also outlined Hong Kong's unique role as a gateway to the Chinese Mainland and wider Asian markets, as well as the opportunities under the "Go Global" initiative.
"The Northern Metropolis covers 30 000 hectares, accounting for one-third of Hong Kong's total land area and injecting new economic impetus into Hong Kong. The development of the Northern Metropolis will also forge closer economic co-operation with adjacent cities in the Greater Bay Area. It is expected to develop into a world-class I&T and research and development hub, which will create numerous job opportunities and attract global talent," Mr Wong said.
The conference also provided a platform for representatives from government, business, and academic sectors to discuss and exchange views on emerging technologies, scientific collaboration, and industrial transformation. Mr Wong also highlighted the top-level planning for hydrogen development and applications in Hong Kong at the conference.
About HKETO Berlin
HKETO Berlin is the official representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in commercial relations and other economic and trade matters in Germany as well as Austria, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Switzerland.
HKETO Berlin promotes Hong Kong's developments in Northern Metropolis and innovation and technology in Germany Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Guangdong and Hong Kong jointly promote construction standardisation to enhance competitiveness of GBA's construction industry
The Development Bureau (DEVB) and the Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of Guangdong Province (DHURDGP) today (June 2) signed the Cooperation Agreement on Guangdong-Hong Kong Construction Standardisation (Agreement) to establish a collaborative mechanism for construction standardisation between Guangdong and Hong Kong, co-ordinating and leading the formulation ofthe Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) construction standards.
The Agreement was signed by the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, and the DirectorGeneral of the DHURDGP, Mr Guo Haoyu. Deputy Director of the Department of Standards and Norms of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development Mr Fan Hongzhu, and the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Ricky Lau, also attended the signing ceremony.
Under the mechanism, the Guangdong and Hong Kong governments will jointly set up a working group and a technical committee, and invite experts from relevant sectors to form expert committees. The Building Technology Research Institute and the Guangdong Provincial Academy of Building Research Group Co, Ltd will serve as the secretariats for Hong Kong and Guangdong respectively. Both sides will jointly coordinate and steer the formulation of construction standards in designated areas, with a view to enhancing the competitiveness of the GBA's construction industry.
Ms Linn said that the DEVB is grateful to the Ministry of Housing and UrbanRural Development and the DHURDGP for supporting the work on Guangdong-Hong Kong construction standardisation. She noted that the outline of the National 15th Five-Year Plan supports Hong Kong in leveraging its strengths in professional services to help enterprises go global. The signing of the Agreement signifies a major milestone for Guangdong and Hong Kong in deepening institutional alignment and promoting the overall upgrading and mutual recognition of construction standards. Reflecting the national policy directions, it capitalises on Hong Kong’s international advantages to bridge national and international standards, thereby enhancing the global competitiveness of the country's construction industry.
Mr Guo said that the signing of the Agreement marks an important milestone in strengthening institutional alignment between the two sides. The DHURDGP and the DEVB have achieved fruitful results in co-operation in various construction areas. Going forward, both sides will continue to strengthen coordination on construction standards, jointly develop standards, progressively promote alignment of existing standards, and advance mutual recognition, thereby enhancing the global competitiveness of the construction industry of the GBA.
Mr Fan said that the signing of the Agreement is of significant importance to expanding institutional openness in construction standards. It supports the collaborative work on Guangdong-Hong Kong construction standardisation, aligns with national standards, promotes mutual recognition, and leverages Hong Kong's connection to international standards. Through standardisation, the two places can achieve deep integration in construction technologies, standards, and industries, thereby contributing to the national strategies on regional coordinated development and highlevel opening up.
Before the signing ceremony, Ms Linn, Mr Guo, Mr Fan and Mr Lau exchanged views on the latest developments of the construction industry in Guangdong and Hong Kong, as well as deepening cooperation between the two places and promoting high-quality development of the construction industry in the GBA. They also explored how construction standardisation could drive the collaborative development of the construction industry and advanced construction technologies, including optimising the application and collaboration of the Modular Integrated Construction method, with a view to jointly leading the GBA's construction industry onto the international stage.
Source: AI-found images
