May-Jul 2021 “Hong Kong Industrialist”

兩場論壇上多位嘉賓的意見極具前瞻性及 洞察力。首場研討會以「後常態下的機遇與 挑戰」為主題，邀得商務及經濟發展局局長 邱騰華及香港四大商會的領導代表作深入討 論。席上多位嘉賓不約而同指，去年香港整 體出口貨值僅錄得輕微下跌，主要原因是很 多港企早著先機開拓新興市場，分散過於依 賴歐美等單一市場帶來的風險，大部份新興 市場的業務在疫情期間更是不跌反升；東盟 作為香港最重要的貿易夥伴之一，市場發展 空間極大，港商到當地發展亦是大勢所趨。 講者亦一致同意企業在「疫境」期間更需要 進行升級轉型，增強市場競爭力，而政府聆 聽業界聲音後，多次就資助計劃拆牆鬆綁， 以便企業盡快取得資金。 第二場研討會則邀得創新及科技局局長薛 永恒及本地公營機構和大學代表，就著「協 作共贏 駕馭後常態」發表真知灼見。討論期 間，講者均認為政府及業界在近年多方面共 同推動「智慧城市」、「工業4.0」和「再工業 化」，香港現時已具備足夠的創科條件，朝 著國際創科中心的目標邁進。此外，多位嘉 賓亦提出香港本身的科研實力非常雄厚，各 界須攜手合作，助港企善用本地科研成果及 技術，提升自身產業價值，轉變現有的營運 模式，搶佔市場先機。人才培育方面，嘉賓 亦指出香港人才鮮有投身創科行業，需要 從小培育青年人對工業、創科的興趣，推動 STEM教育及與創科相關的就業計劃，壯大 本地的創科人才庫，方可讓創科及高端工業 持續發展。 工總在此再度感謝各位演講嘉賓，在「工 業家論壇2020 ︰邁向後常態」上就著香港工 商業長遠發展分享己見、展望將來，為工總 六十周年鑽禧會慶畫下圓滿句號。 Our guests shared a great deal of forward- looking and thought-provoking insights at both panel discussions. Mr Edward Yau, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, and leaders from the four largest local chambers of commerce elaborated on “Opportunities and Challenges under the Next Normal” in the first panel discussion. As many local enterprises have already tapped into emerging markets to diversify the risk of over-reliance on single markets like Europe and US, the value of Hong Kong’s overall exports only recorded a slight decline last year. Most of the enterprises have seen business growth in emerging markets during the COVID-19. Amongst those, most local enterprises are especially eager to enter ASEAN markets as the region is one the most prominent trading partners to Hong Kong with enormous growth capacities. During the discussion, guests echoed that enterprises should undergo transformation to stay competitive amid the downturn brought by COVID-19. Responding to industry needs, the Government has streamlined procedure of funding schemes so that applicant enterprises can acquire funds at the soonest. The second panel discussion invited Mr Alfred Sit, Secretary for Innovation and Technology and representatives from public sector organisation and academia to share insights under the theme of “Navigating the Next Normal via Collaborations”. Speakers agreed that Hong Kong is possessed of all the essential qualities to become an international innovation and technology hub, with the concerted efforts of Government and industry propelling “Smart City”, “i4.0” and “Re-industrialisation” forward in recent years. Besides, they recommended Hong Kong enterprises should make good use of Hong Kong’s strong local R&D capabilities to add value to their businesses and operations. In terms of talent development, the guests pointed out the phenomenon that local talents are not in active quest for career opportunities in the I&T industry. It is critical to groom youths’ interest in industrial development and I&T, promote STEM education and I&T-related employment schemes to build a sufficient local talent pool that can power the sustainable development of Hong Kong’s I&T and advanced industries. Once again, FHKI would like to express our sincere gratitude to all the honourable guest speakers for sharing insights and envisioning the future of Hong Kong’s industrial development at the Industrialist Forum, concluding the FHKI’s 60th Anniversary celebrations on a high note. 5-7/2021 | 47