Hong Kong Federation of Industries: Advocates for the introduction of "compute vouchers" and "model vouchers" to provide financial support for SMEs in the application of AI.

The Hong Kong government is currently conducting public consultations on its first five-year plan and the new policy address. After the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce submitted its suggestions for the five-year plan in June this year, it has today (the 7th) submitted a supplementary proposal for the policy address to the government, proposing nearly 70 specific recommendations. The content covers areas such as technological innovation and new industrialization development, the construction of the Northern Metropolis, the creation of a high-value supply chain service center, and brand development. To encourage industry applications of AI, the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce advocates for providing financial support for the sector, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in applying AI, for example, through "computing power vouchers" and "model vouchers." It also suggests enhancing SMEs' interest in applying AI through optimizing existing funds or introducing dedicated funding programs with financial incentives. Regarding the development of the Northern Metropolis, the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce supports the government's expansion of the scale of the Northern Metropolis University Town and recommends drawing on the experience of the "Shenzhen University Town" to promote inter-school collaboration and integration between campuses and the city, attracting local, mainland, and overseas institutions to set up operations in Hong Kong, thereby enhancing the capacity of the international education hub. At the same time, aligned with the development of technological innovation and industry, it suggests expanding exhibition facilities, focusing on hosting local, Greater Bay Area, and even international events such as innovative technology exhibitions, research exhibitions, university education expos, and large academic conferences, reinforcing the international exchange function of education and research. Additionally, the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce recommends officially designating the food and health products industry as a key industry for "Northern Metropolis Manufacturing" and attracting investment in industrial parks, with the government leading a site selection study and conceptual planning for the "Hong Kong Food Technology Industrial Park," striving to create a high-end quality brand image for "Hong Kong Food." As for the recommendations related to Hong Kong's first five-year plan, the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce earlier suggested promoting a new round of upgrades to the CEPA opening measures under the "14th Five-Year Plan," seeking further optimization of measures that facilitate Hong Kong enterprises and professionals entering the mainland market from the central government, including lowering market entry barriers, expanding mutual recognition of professional qualifications, and easing practice conveniences. It also proposed adding a special chapter on "cross-border taxation" to the CEPA agreement to focus on discussing relevant special tax arrangements; at the same time, exploring the concept of a "pre-free trade agreement zone" under the CEPA framework and conducting pilot projects.