Secretary for Commerce, Industry & Technology Joseph Wong has commended the Applied Science & Technology Research Institute Board of Directors for improving the institute's administration.

The board announced today that it has accepted the resignation of the institute's Chief Executive Officer Dr Robert Yang with immediate effect. In response to the Director of Audit's recommendations, the board also put forth concrete measures to improve the institute's administration.

"Hong Kong is a mature and knowledge-based economy. To sustain our long-term development, we must continue to make commitments and investments in applied science and technology research, which will assist our local businesses to upgrade and develop, and provide high value-added employment opportunities," Mr Wong said.