Leveraging on the opportunities arising from the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) hosted the "Industry and University Collaboration Forum (IUCF) 2017" on November 14 at the Hong Kong Science Park. Carrying the theme "Connecting the Dots for Reindustrialisation: The Greater Bay Area Landscape", the Forum aims to explore how to unleash Hong Kong's full potential in innovation and technology, seize the opportunities in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area for reindustrialisation, and contribute to the country's wider development vision.

Mr Nicholas W Yang, Secretary for Innovation and Technology, addressed the need for Hong Kong to diversify its economy and develop high value-added industries in the face of global competition in his opening remarks, “The Government will actively participate in the development of the Bay Area, so as to create favourable conditions for diversifying the economy, in particular for promoting innovation and technology development. Hong Kong and Shenzhen will join hands to develop an international innovation and technology hub in the Bay Area,” he added.

More than 27 industry experts and leaders from local and regional universities, research institutes and technology companies as well as senior government officials delivered inspiring keynote speeches, deliberating how innovation and technology can facilitate the next generation of industrial revolution in the Greater Bay Area. The discussion topics were aligned with national programmes related to ‘Industry 4.0’, ‘Made in China 2025’ and the ‘Greater Bay Area’, as well as international mega-plans like the ‘Belt and Road’ initiative. The Forum attracted around 400 participants to exchange their knowledge and insights on the latest developments in innovation and technology.