Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has said he believes there is ample room for cooperation between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Slovakia Republic in the application of innovation and technology.

Hong Kong is striving to become an international inno-tech center and Slovakia has announced various long-term digital transformation development strategies in recent years, Lee said while meeting Slovak Deputy Prime Minister for the European Union Recovery Plan and the Knowledge Economy Peter Kmec on Monday.

During the meeting, a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in science, research, and innovation was signed between the two places, according to the SAR government. Kmec and Hong Kong’s Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Prof Sun Dong signed the MOU on behalf of their respective governments.

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Terming signing of the MOU as an important milestone, Lee said it promotes cooperation in scientific research and innovation as well as the transfer of technology and innovation outcomes, contributing to the high-quality development of the two economies.

In terms of economic and trade development, he said that the HKSAR government will maintain close ties with the Slovak business community, and will organize promotion activities of various natures to keep them abreast of the latest developments and opportunities in Hong Kong.

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The SAR government will also promote Hong Kong's strengths and development potential, including the city's close connections with international and Chinese mainland markets, as well as the tremendous development opportunities brought by the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development and the Belt and Road Initiative, said Lee.