On May 22, 2013, a delegation from the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Mission in Europe (headquartered in London) visited Technopark “Skolkovo”, where it represented interests of Hong Kong Science Park. The delegation attended a presentation about the Innovation Сentre and discussed potential cooperation between two organizations
The delegation was headed by Ms. Erica Ng, Director-General of the Mission. In a short interview she pointed out that the main aim of the delegation (that also included her deputy) is to promote development of business relations between various companies in Hong Kong and Europe. At Techopark “Skolkovo”, Ms. Ng was primarily representing interests of Hong Kong Science Park (HKSP). It is a relatively new science park, wholly owned by the government of Hong Kong that allocated a piece of land to it. HKSP buildings, raised on the land, are leased on favorable terms to various innovation companies.
Erica Ng noted that she is impressed by what she saw and heard about the “Skolkovo” innovation centre and confident that the project is important and ambitious. Ms. Ng assured that Hong Kong Mission in London will encourage cooperation with such a project.
What is happening here is very attractive: you have all key elements for development of high-tech companies, including education centre and investment opportunitiesErica Ng, Director-General of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Mission in London
The delegation listened to several presentations, delivered, among others, by Mr. Oleg Syutin, Vice President for International Cooperation and Projects, and Mr. Albert Efimov, Director, IT projects.
Dr. Chris Janssen presented BMT cluster whilst Mr. Maxim Mikhailov, director for international institutional development, talked about energy efficiency cluster. Dr. Anna Nikina, head of international programs and partnerships, spoke about the infrastructure of Technopark. Maxim Kiselev, development director at Technopark, also participated in the meeting. After the meeting Dr. Anna Nikina ran a tour of Technopark for the guests whilst Andrey Sartori, R&D services director, introduced the laboratories of microanalysis.
It is yet premature to talk about the outcomes of this meeting. It only sets the stage for potential cooperation, for which Hong Kong, among other advantages, is one of the best points of entry to a huge market of China, has enormous potential. Nonetheless, some points of intersection and mutual synergy have been already established. Such aspects of cooperation include interest in development of technologies in the field of alternative energy, voiced by the guests, as well as a possible mutual assistance in creation of infrastructure for startups.