The Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES) held the Launching Ceremony of OASES Partnership today (October 4). At a ceremony witnessed by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, and the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, OASES signed an agreement with the first batch of strategic enterprises setting up or expanding their businesses in Hong Kong. They will jointly promote the development of the innovation and technology (I&T) ecosystem of Hong Kong.

Twenty enterprises from the Mainland and overseas became the first batch of strategic enterprise partners today. They come from such strategic industries as life and health technology, artificial intelligence and data science, financial technology, and advanced manufacturing and new-energy technology. Some of these enterprises will settle in Hong Kong shortly, while some have settled and are ready to expand their businesses in Hong Kong. Most of them will set up research and development centres or regional business headquarters in Hong Kong.

These strategic enterprise partners, together with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, will press ahead with the development of the I&T ecosystem of Hong Kong. OASES will provide one-stop services to these enterprises and follow up on their development situation in Hong Kong and their specific needs.

In the coming few years, the strategic enterprises attracted will invest a total of more than $30 billion in Hong Kong, and create about 10 000 jobs, the majority of which are scientific research and management positions.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Mr Lee said that OASES, announced to be established in his inaugural Policy Address, is dedicated to attracting representative and high-potential strategic enterprises from around the globe to Hong Kong. He found it encouraging to see this first batch of 20 enterprises becoming strategic enterprise partners of the HKSAR Government. The HKSAR Government will work with them to jointly promote high-quality development in Hong Kong and support Hong Kong in realising its position to become an international I&T centre under the National 14th Five-Year Plan.

Addressing the ceremony, Mr Chan said that with the unique strengths under "one country, two systems", Hong Kong is the best springboard and platform for strategic enterprises to tap into the Mainland and international markets, especially in the Asian region. As an international financial centre and with the implementation of the common law, the rule of law and free flow of capital, talent, goods and information, Hong Kong also forms a leading fundraising platform and a vibrant finance ecosystem, which facilitates the enterprises' financing needs at different stages of development, and accelerates their development. Besides, the HKSAR Government has been pressing ahead with the development of the Northern Metropolis. With the policy support from the Central Government, strategic enterprises can be provided with a better development platform in Hong Kong.

Apart from bringing investment and employment, these enterprises will assist in gathering upstream, midstream and downstream enterprises in Hong Kong and therefore promote vibrant development of the I&T ecosystem.

More than 200 representatives from strategic enterprises, local and foreign chambers of commerce, research institutions, related government bureaux and departments and public organisations attended the launching ceremony.

The Chief Executive announced in his Policy Address last year to establish OASES, led by the Financial Secretary and tasked with attracting strategic enterprises from around the world. Since its establishment late last year, OASES has met with representatives from over 200 enterprises. The figure is expected to increase to nearly 300 enterprises by the end of this year. OASES serves as a one-stop platform to approach and negotiate with strategic enterprises, and provide tailor-made and attractive measures and proposals to targeted enterprises where necessary, so as to encourage them to set up in Hong Kong.

In attracting strategic enterprises, the HKSAR Government will consider elements such as whether the enterprises would fit in Hong Kong's direction in industry development, as well as their business plans, technology level, job opportunities, contributions to the industry's ecosystem and the domestic gross domestic product.

The HKSAR Government will continue to work towards attracting strategic enterprises to set foot in Hong Kong. For enterprises interested in setting up in Hong Kong, OASES and other departments will continue to evaluate their development plans and engage in in-depth discussions with these enterprises.