A two-month public consultation on the Government's new strategy to promote the development of innovation and technology has been launched.

It will garner views on the proposed technology focus areas for future development, and the proposed centres that will co-ordinate research and development efforts in the selected focus areas.

Commissioner for Innovation & Technology Anthony Wong said the new strategy aims to improve the relevance of applied research and development to the needs of the industry.

"The key initiative is to identify technology areas where Hong Kong has comparative advantages, such as research strengths and a strong industry base, and the potential for meeting industry and market needs," Mr Wong said.

13 areas identified for consideration

After preliminary consultation with the industry, universities, innovation and technology organisations, and other stakeholders in the past six months, the department has identified 13 proposed technology areas for further consideration. They are:

* advanced manufacturing technologies;

* automotive parts and accessory systems;

* Chinese medicine;

* communications technologies;

* consumer electronics;

* digital entertainment;

* display technologies;

* integrated circuit design;

* logistics/supply chain management enabling technologies;

* medical diagnostics and devices;

* nanotechnology and advanced materials;

* opto-electronics; and,

* textile and clothing.

"The resources of the Innovation & Technology Fund will in future mainly be deployed to support the establishment and programmes of the Research & Development Centres," Mr Wong said.

Institutions invited to express interest

To help the Government assess the level of interest in hosting and supporting such centres, it will invite expressions of interest, on a noncommittal basis, from research institutions and other relevant stakeholders.

After collation of feedback, the Government will draw up focus areas and consult the Steering Committee on Innovation & Technology. Once it has formed a view on the focus areas, the Government will invite formal proposals in October.

The consultation paper can be downloaded from the Innovation & Technology Commission website. Comments can be sent by August 31, via email itconsultation@itc.gov.hk, fax 2375 0715, or post 20th Floor, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong.