Let youth unleash their creativity and potential

This afternoon, I hosted a luncheon at Government House for representatives of NetDragon Websoft Inc. (NetDragon), Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited (HKCMCL) and Hong Kong Wireless Technology Industry Association Limited (HKWTIA). Afterwards, I went to Cyberport to witness the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) by the three parties and to listen to various technology companies introduce their business profiles and products.

HKCMCL is committed to promoting the development of the information and communications technology (ICT) industry and supporting start-ups and small and medium enterprises in the industry. With funds provided by HKCMCL, some local young people have developed GoGoVan, a mobile phone app for hiring lorries and vans which has not only caught on quickly in the local market but has also been launched in Singapore. Separately, Jolla Ltd, the Finnish mobile phone manufacturer that developed the mobile phone operating system Sailfish OS, has set up an office at Cyberport to tap into Asian markets.

I remember that I presented the Award of the Year, the highest accolade of the Hong Kong ICT Awards, to MiQ Ltd/Oursky Ltd earlier this year. Its app "Jamn - The musician's multi-tool" is an innovative music tool that has attracted a large number of downloads by users all over the world. Today, I had the opportunity to see for myself how this app works. In addition, I was briefed by the representatives of HKWTIA on the development of mobile apps in Hong Kong.

Video of the Chief Executive listening to technology companies introduce their business profiles and products

The signing of the MoU by NetDragon, HKCMCL and HKWTIA that I witnessed today will boost Hong Kong's information technology (IT) development and bring considerable benefits to our mobile and Internet technology industry. During my trip to Fujian in January this year, I visited the headquarters of NetDragon and saw a large group of energetic and creative young people there working together to develop games and other products. Believing that NetDragon's success would be a good example for other young people and enterprises to follow, I was all ears when NetDragon mentioned to me its co-operation plan with Hong Kong's IT sector.

Apart from promoting exchanges between the IT sectors of Hong Kong and the Mainland and helping them gain access to each other's markets, the tripartite co-operation will also help nurture more young IT talent in Hong Kong. Local young people who have potential and want to pursue a career in the field of mobile IT will have the opportunity to undergo internship and professional training at NetDragon. Eventually, they will form a team to develop new products and fulfil their IT and entrepreneurial dreams.

Business start-ups are places where young people can hone their skills and put their enthusiasm about the future and unlimited creativity into work. I always say that Hong Kong is full of talented young people who are ambitious, creative and receptive to new things. We need to create opportunities for them to broaden their horizons and accumulate practical experience.

I believe that many of our next generation are good at science and technology and full of creativity at the same time. With such a wide pool of talent, Hong Kong is well equipped to develop innovation and technology industries. Yet, we need the Innovation and Technology Bureau, which is being established, to take forward the relevant work. My team and I will keep up our efforts to let more young people unleash their creativity and potential.

Speech by the Chief Executive at the signing ceremony of the memorandum of understanding

September 5, 2014