Alfred Sit Visits Productivity Council

Secretary for Innovation & Technology Alfred Sit visited the Productivity Council today to learn about its latest developments.

He began his visit by meeting with the management team. The multi-disciplinary organisation’s executive director Mohamed Butt gave an update on the council's core areas and latest business initiatives.

Mr Sit then took a tour of smart manufacturing and testing facilities to gain a better understanding of the council's efforts in offering technological support to facilitate enterprises in moving towards high value-added production and gradually upgrading towards Industry 4.0.

Mr Sit had a chat with the council's staff working in fields such as smart mobility, food technology and intelligent robotics laboratory.

He encouraged them to continue their partnership and collaboration with local industries and enterprises to enhance their productivity and competitiveness through licensing and technology transfer.

The visit also covered the Hong Kong Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Centre managed by the council.

Mr Sit emphasised that the council has been committed to assisting enterprises in upgrading and transformation. He pointed out that it is also the implementation agent for several government funding schemes including the $500 million Distance Business Programme (D-Biz Programme) under the Anti-epidemic Fund.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has changed various aspects of life, work, education, entertainment and consumer behaviour, inflicting damage on the real economy. Yet online shopping has been getting more popular.

“As crisis brings opportunities, the pandemic prompts us to rethink the way businesses operate with the aid or technologies. It may help offset the impact of the pandemic on our economy and drive wider application of technologies.”

Mr Sit noted that the Government launched the D-Biz Programme to provide enterprises with funding up to $300,000 in adopting information technology solutions for developing distance business.

He explained that this in turn can accelerate the digital transformation of enterprises while supporting enterprises and safeguarding jobs.

Mr Sit added that he hopes the council will continue taking forward its mission to enhance productivity and competitiveness of industries and enterprises and provide the impetus to sustain Hong Kong's economic development.