Representing the Government of the State of Israel, Mr Sagi Karni, Consul General of the State of Israel in Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR, today (February 17) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on co-operation in industrial research and development (R&D) with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People’s Republic of China, represented by Mr Gregory So, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development.
Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Economy of Israel, Mr Avi Hasson, and the Commissioner for Innovation and Technology of the Hong Kong SAR Government, Miss Janet Wong, also attended the signing ceremony.
Mr Karni said at the signing ceremony, "With this MoU we set up a mechanism, with no cap I mind you, that will enable co-financing of high-tech R&D, but also we send a clear message to the industry and academia that we at the Government of Israel are fully supportive of this sector and committing tax-payers’ money for future growth".
“We find Hong Kong an important partner to promote with and boost high tech activity in the region. The unique location, the transparent legal system, the vibrant society and above all the talent of the people make a perfect match”, he said.
Photo: Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Economy of Israel, Avi Hasson, speaks at the signing ceremony
Mr Hasson, who came to Hong Kong especially to attend this signing ceremony, said, "The agreement that we signed today is an important platform for developing cooperation between Hong Kong companies and Israeli companies. HK companies should be a natural partner for Israeli companies looking east and we hope that through this agreement new world changing technologies will be developed."
以色列駐香港及澳門特區總領事高史歌今日(二月十七日)代表以色列政府，與代表中華人民共和國香港特別行政區(特區)政府的商務及經濟發展局局長蘇錦樑，簽訂產業研發雙邊合作諒解備忘錄。
以色列經濟部首席科學顧問韓艾維和香港創新科技署署長王榮珍亦出席了簽署儀式。
在簽署儀式上，高史歌說：「這個諒解備忘錄為相方建設立一個機制以共同集資高科技研發項目，並向產業界和學術界發出一個明確的信息，就是以色列政府會充份運用政府財政資源支持這個行業的未來發展。」
高史歌亦表示：「以色列跟香港在促進高科技項目上是重要夥伴，香港擁有特殊的地理位置、高透明度的法律體制、充滿活力的社會和優越的人才，跟以色列是完美的合作夥伴。」
特別來港出席此次簽約儀式的韓艾維說：「我們今天簽署的協議是一個香港及以色列公司之間合作的重要平台。香港公司自然地成為有意向東面發展的以色列公司在亞洲的合作夥伴，我們希望通過這個協議會帶來改變世界的新科技。」
諒解備忘錄會為創新科技署及以色列經濟部首席科學顧問辦公室提供框架，共同鼓勵香港及以色列的機構合作進行產業研發和發展科技。