Authorities on Monday said that 108 technology companies have joined an incubation programme at the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park.

In a launch ceremony for the programme, officials said the firms were selected from around 750 applications, more than half of which were not local.

AstraZeneca, Lenovo and HKAI LAB are among six firms partnering up with the park to groom start-ups under the programme.

The six firms have backgrounds in medicine, genetics, artificial intelligence and data science.

Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong said at the ceremony that the progamme's launch marked an important milestone for the park's development.

He expressed hope that the platform could become an international springboard that not only brought overseas firms and talent to the park but also enabled mainland companies to go global.

"Our partners in attendance here are all key players in the I&T sector," Sun said.

"Your participation not only offers capital for start-ups but, more importantly, valuable industry experience, market networks and expert guidance.

"This model of close collaboration between the government, industry, academia and research is precisely what gives a unique advantage to the Hetao Hong Kong Park."

Park chairman Kevin Choi, who is also permanent secretary for innovation, technology and industry, expressed confidence that in a few years, not only would people think the park is near the boundary with Shenzhen, but also that the first thing that came to their mind would be innovation.

He also found it encouraging that the park had attracted a large number of tech firms with high potential to set up here just three months after its opening.

In the coming quarter, Choi said, the government planned to roll out 22 sites as part of the park's first-phase development through public-private partnerships.


Edited by Tony Sabine