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Hong Kong Budget 2018-2019
Hong KongHong Kong Economy

All eyes on Hong Kong’s Science Park after massive HK$40 billion budget handout

Critics suggest setting up various committees to hold the park accountable on its criteria for handing out funds and called on it to set up key performance indicators and benchmarks to measure its achievements

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Hong Kong Science Park in Sha Tin. Photo: Sam Tsang
Cannix Yau,Zen SooandRaymond Yeung

With Hong Kong’s Science Park in charge of a massive HK$40 billion (US$5.1 billion) slice of the budget funding pie in an attempt to turn the city into an innovation and technology (I&T) hub, questions have arisen as to how it can spend the money wisely, will be able to churn out success stories and also be accountable to a highly sceptical public.

Critics suggested setting up various committees to hold the park accountable on its criteria for handing out funds and called on it to set up key performance indicators (KPI) and benchmarks to measure its achievements. 

Financial Secretary Paul Chan is dishing out HK$50 billion to support the innovation sector. Photo: Sam Tsang
Financial Secretary Paul Chan is dishing out HK$50 billion to support the innovation sector. Photo: Sam Tsang
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On Wednesday, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po raised eyebrows as he dished out HK$50 billion to support I&T development this financial year, of which the park would be in charge of HK$40 billion, including HK$20 billion for building in the Lok Ma Chau Loop the first phase of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park, owned by Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation; and HK$10 billion allocated to the park for supporting its tenants and building infrastructure and facilities. 

Hong Kong reboots with ‘back to the future’ budget

Also, HK$10 billion was earmarked for funding world-renowned research institutes or tech enterprises to conduct midstream and downstream research and development projects in the areas of biotechnology, artificial intelligence and robotics technologies in the park. 

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