Alliance of Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurial Bases in the Greater Bay Area officially launched (15.12.2023)
15.12.2023

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, officiated at the launching ceremony of the Alliance of Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurial Bases in the Greater Bay Area today (December 15), witnessing the establishment of the Alliance together with representatives from Guangdong and Hong Kong. The Alliance will provide a one-stop information, publicity and exchange platform to support Hong Kong youth entrepreneurs in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). Other officiating guests from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) included the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, and the Permanent Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Ms Shirley Lam; and officiating guests from Guangdong included the Director-General of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the People's Government of Guangdong Province, Ms Li Huanchun, and the Director-General of the Human Resources and Social Security Department of Guangdong Province, Mr Du Minqi. Speaking at the launching ceremony, Mr Chan said, "The Hong Kong SAR Government attaches great importance to youth development. We strive to build a stage for young people to display their full talents and realise their dreams, and leverage the Greater Bay Area as an entry point to promote young people to actively integrate into the overall development of the country. To further pull together the efforts of authorities and community sectors on the Mainland and Hong Kong to support Hong Kong youth entrepreneurs in pursuing and realising their dreams, the HKSAR Government proposed the establishment of the Alliance of Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurial Bases in the GBA." The establishment of the Alliance is one of the key tasks under the Guangdong-Hong Kong task force on youth employment, entrepreneurship and internship. The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB), the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the People's Government of Guangdong Province and the Human Resources and Social Security Department of Guangdong Province are the leading parties of the Alliance. Nearly 60 representative organisations from various sectors in Hong Kong and other cities of the GBA also joined the Alliance, including government and public organisations, innovation and entrepreneurial bases, non-governmental organisations and social organisations, post-secondary institutions and scientific research institutes, professional organisations and venture funds. Mr Chan added, "The Alliance will leverage the resources and networks of the member organisations to achieve synergy and offer comprehensive support to youth entrepreneurs." The key tasks of the Alliance include - organising diversified activities to provide youth entrepreneurs with more comprehensive and practical information and support services, and to facilitate them in expanding their social, commercial and investor network and enhance their competitiveness; conveying the needs of Hong Kong youth entrepreneurs to relevant authorities in relation to the business environment and policies in different cities and areas of the GBA; fostering the exchange and co-operation between relevant stakeholders, so as to jointly promote Hong Kong youth entrepreneurship in the GBA; and disseminating information about the support to Hong Kong youth entrepreneurship in the GBA as well as activities organised by member organisations through the Alliance's designated webpage. Two seminars were held right after the launching ceremony. Representatives from members of the Alliance shared how they support youth entrepreneurs, and four Hong Kong youth start-up teams subsidised by the HYAB's Funding Scheme for Youth Entrepreneurship in the GBA shared their experience in pursuing entrepreneurship in the GBA. Young people who have already started or are interested in starting their businesses can visit the designated webpage of the Alliance ( www.weventure.gov.hk/en/gba_alliance/ ) to understand more. Ends/Friday, December 15, 2023 Issued at HKT 19:47 NNNN