Chief Executive Carrie Lam met Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and President of the China Association for Science & Technology Professor Wan Gang at Government House today.

Mrs Lam welcomed Professor Wan's visit to Hong Kong and thanked him for supporting Hong Kong's innovation and technology development during his tenure as the Minister of Science & Technology and his continued concern for the city in his new capacity.

She said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has tabled policy initiatives to advance I&T development.

These include the launch of a listing regime for I&T companies from emerging and innovative sectors to list in Hong Kong to raise capital, the amendment of the Inland Revenue Ordinance to provide enhanced tax deduction to encourage enterprises to spend more in research and development, the announcement of the Technology Talent Admission Scheme to admit overseas and Mainland talent and nurture local talent for I&T enterprises, and the preparation for the establishment of two research clusters on healthcare technologies and artificial intelligence and robotics technologies to attract top global and local scientific research talent.

She said such initiatives are well received by local, overseas and Mainland parties, showing Hong Kong's continued advantages.

She hopes Professor Wan continues to show his concern and support for Hong Kong so the city's I&T ecosystem develops in a diversified manner.