Speech by SITI at Cyberport 20th Anniversary Celebration cum Cyberport Entrepreneurship Programmes Graduation Ceremony 2023 (English only) (with photo)
29.11.2023

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the Cyberport 20th Anniversary Celebration cum Cyberport Entrepreneurship Programmes Graduation Ceremony 2023 today (November 29): Simon (Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, Mr Simon Chan), Peter (Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, Mr Peter Yan), George (former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, Dr George Lam), distinguished guests, friends, ladies and gentlemen, Good morning. It's really my great pleasure to be here today to celebrate Cyberport's 20th anniversary and the graduation of a new batch of young start-ups. With double happiness and achievements, it is indeed a great day to remember and celebrate. Cyberport has been a powerhouse in our ICT (information and communications technology) sector in the past two decades. Growing from strength to strength, Cyberport's community has reached an impressive number of 2 000 technology companies and start-ups on its 20th year of operation, which means a double in the past five years. Working from a relatively small footprint yet exhibiting an exceptionally high degree of efficiency and energy, Cyberport has made no small achievement as an ICT flagship in Hong Kong. This vibrant community have attracted over $38 billion of investment. Apart from the seven notable unicorns covering all three major clusters in fintech, smart living and digital entertainment, Cyberport takes pride in nurturing many innovative ideas and exciting business ventures. Just for the renowned Hong Kong ICT Awards held earlier, 25 start-ups from the Cyberport community grabbed 28 awards from the most competitive arena, including the prestigious Winner of Award of the Year, one Grand Award and seven Gold Awards across eight categories. Many of Cyberport's achievements as a melting pot of ICT talent and entrepreneurs are attributable to the start-ups home-grown here. They started their adventure at Cyberport with a big idea at a small table. Financial support aside, Cyberport grows together with the start-ups on this platform where people brew their business ideas over co-working space, leverage the extensive network of experts and investors, and immerse themselves in the supportive culture. The more than 200 graduates today are the best testimony to Cyberport's remarkable journey with the start-ups. The entrepreneurship programme empowers our start-ups to materialise their ideas into commercial solutions and market breakthroughs. I am going to see some of these showcases in a moment, and I will be delighted to hear from you the ups and downs you have undergone in touching this first goalpost in your business. Twenty years past, Cyberport awaits much more excitement in the years to come. A new expansion block will soon be in place, just two years' time from now at the waterfront, to bring more space for development to the Cyberport community. Another exciting development is Cyberport's initiative to establish the Artificial Intelligence Supercomputing Centre in phases starting from 2024. This supercomputing facility will be the first of its kind and scale in Hong Kong. I am sure our start-ups, R&D (research and development) community and local industry are looking forward to this and will take a keen interest in the commissioning of the strategic infrastructure very soon. Before I close, I wish to congratulate again on the 20th anniversary of Cyberport and the graduates of the Entrepreneurship Programme. Your passion and devotion to innovation bring us all here. On behalf of the Government, I thank you for your hard work, and wish you great successes in the future endeavours. Last but not least, December 10 is another big day for Hong Kong. Please call on your family, friends and I&T (innovation and technology) partners to vote at the District Council Ordinary Election together, for a better community and a better Hong Kong. Thank you very much.