Policy address promises free kindergarten and ‘re-industrialisation’ plans
Leung Chun-ying prepares final policy address before 2017 election campaign begins
Initiatives to promote the development of technology and implementing free kindergarten education will be among the highlights of Leung Chun-ying’s fourth policy address to be unveiled tomorrow.
A government source said the chief executive would announce some one-off measures to boost the development of innovation and technology, such as establishment of a HK$500 million matching fund to entice overseas venture capital firms to provide funding for technology start-ups.
Leung will also spell out measures to promote “re-industrialisation”in Hong Kong, a vision emphasised by Secretary for innovation and technology Nicholas Yang Wei-hsiung earlier.
The minister said earlier Hong Kong would undergo “re-industrialisation” with land to be used for “smart production” to create job opportunities for Hongkongers.
The chief executive will also highlight the importance of seizing the opportunities arising from the country’s “One Belt, One Road” strategy, a push to drive cooperation among Eurasian countries along the ancient Silk Road trading route.
Leung is also expected to set up a HK$500 million fund to promote sustainable development of agriculture in the city.
“But members of the public should not have big expectations of the chief executive rolling out costly initiatives in the forthcoming policy address as he had announced his major promises in his first two policy blueprints,” the source said.