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Friday, February 21, 2020, 14:05
Lam eyes anti-epidemic fund to help embattled tech startups
By Xinhua
Friday, February 21, 2020, 14:05 By Xinhua

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor (center, standing) visits the Logistics and Supply Chain MultiTech R&D Centre at the Hong Kong Science Park on Feb 20, 2020, to learn about its research and development and production of electronic wristbands for the Hong Kong government's home quarantine measure. (PHOTO / INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, HKSAR)

HONG KONG - Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said Thursday that she hoped the anti-epidemic fund set by the government will benefit embattled technology startups amid the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.

During a visit to the Hong Kong Science Park, Lam said the business environment of technology enterprises, particularly startups, has become difficult since the second half of last year and the recent epidemic has even worsened the situation.

Lam said she hoped the measure would help retain innovation and technology capability and talent, enabling Hong Kong to relaunch the sector's development down the road

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In response, the Hong Kong government proposed to use the fund to provide tenants and startups at the Hong Kong Science Park, industrial estates and Cyberport a six-month rental waiver, with about 1,800 tenants expected to benefit from it, she said when meeting heads of some startups.

Lam said she hoped the measure would help retain innovation and technology (I&T) capability and talent, enabling Hong Kong to relaunch the sector's development down the road, adding that the government will consider rolling out more support measures.

Lam said the fund also proposed to provide subsidy to participants and organizers of exhibitions and conventions, and she believed the I&T industry will also benefit from the initiative.

She added that she looked forward to the early passage of the funding application of the anti-epidemic fund by the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council.

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During the visit, Lam also learned about the research and development of the Logistics and Supply Chain MultiTech R&D Center which had developed and produced nearly 2,000 electronic wristbands to monitor whether people under compulsory quarantine are staying at their dwelling places.


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