Our Hong Kong Foundation (OHKF) released its latest policy advocacy report entitled Development Strategies for San Tin Technopole: From Ground Zero to Innovation Hub today. The report focuses on three areas, namely lead development entity, business and investment attraction, as well as land allocation and development. Through analysing various case studies of successful innovation and technology (I&T) parks globally, including Mainland China, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States, the report crystalises relevant development models that provide valuable references for the Government.

Combining global experiences with the local context, OHKF put forward 13 policy recommendations under 5 directions. Besides a smooth launch for San Tin Technopole (STT), these recommendations aim to realise the vision set out in the Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint, and forge a new engine for Hong Kong’s socio-economic development.

(Direction 1) Government-led development supplemented by private participation: 

Recommendation 1: Provide concessionary land premium for in-situ land exchange, subject to securing prospective I&T enterprises.
Recommendation 2: Allow landowners to construct talent accommodation, pegged to the scale of I&T operations on their respective sites.
Recommendation 3: Introduce co-investment via the issuance of STT Development Bonds.

(Direction 2) Strengthen implementation mechanisms and monitor the effectiveness of investment attraction: 

Recommendation 4: Form a new business-centric working group on STT for swift and precise investment attraction.
Recommendation 5: Set KPIs for the new Working Group to monitor its effectiveness.

(Direction 3) Stand out via aggressive investment attraction while ensuring mutually beneficial partnerships: 

Recommendation 6: Offer tailor-made incentives and a compelling business proposition to stand out from the competition.
Recommendation 7: Leverage key decision influencers for all-round pitching, amplifying the reach and effectiveness of investment attraction efforts.
Recommendation 8: Assign enterprises performance-based KPIs to ensure mutually beneficial partnerships.

(Direction 4) Foster a liveable community and vibrant I&T ecosystem: 

Recommendation 9: Enhance transport connections of the I&T land through advanced planning.
Recommendation 10: Kickstart the development of the I&T ecosystem with government research agencies and academic institutions as anchor institutions.
Recommendation 11: Implement new urban design concepts to create a liveable mixed-use community.

(Direction 5) Land allocation and development based on ecosystem maturity: 

Recommendation 12: Adopt a multitude of land allocation methods, subject to ecosystem maturity and industry needs.
Recommendation 13: Design buildings based on enterprises’ needs to avoid becoming “building waste”.