The controversial Cyberport project and Science Park are not in direct competition with each other but are complementary, according to an Information Technology and Broadcasting Bureau official.
Bureau deputy secretary Annie Tam Kam-lan said: 'Cyberport and Science Park were always meant to be complementary to each other. When we designed Cyberport, we were well aware of the Science Park project and we made sure there was no overlap.
'Cyberport is not in competition with Science Park. Science Park is designed for technology companies including electronics and biotechnology companies. Cyberport is designed to attract IT applications, information services and multimedia applications. There's no duplication.'
Ms Tam's comments follow criticism of an overlap as the two projects scramble to attract similar types of tenant.
She said the fact Cyberport was charging higher rent than Science Park also proved the two were geared at different sectors.
Cyberport charges its tenants between HK$11 a square foot and HK$13 a square foot, compared with Science Park's rents of about HK$7.80 a square foot.