The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) and the Hong Kong Cyberport, are collaborating to co-host the first-ever Hong Kong Pavilion at Saudi Arabia’s largest tech event, “LEAP 2024”, in Riyadh from 4-7 March. The event will showcase 16 cutting-edge technologies from Hong Kong to over 172,000 visitors, symbolising a significant milestone for the Hong Kong I&T industry on the global stage.
Eight forward-looking startups and tech ventures from HKSTP will be featured at the Hong Kong Pavilion, with cutting-edge innovation from sectors such as biotech, healthtech, logistics, AI, robotics, and new energy (refer to Appendix for details of the eight companies). HKSTP aims to establish partnerships with Saudi businesses and inject new energy into the Belt and Road Initiative, which encompasses over 180 countries and international organisations, including the Middle East.
Albert Wong, CEO of HKSTP, stated, “A golden era of innovation and technology is emerging in Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, and across Asia, and we see incredible co-innovation potential in the joining of our two ecosystems in Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia. HKSTP’s participation in LEAP 2024 signifies our commitment to leaping into new worlds and embracing the new cradle of global innovation, which is multilateral and impactful. Our mission is to propel success by advancing in the journey from research to commercialisation, from innovation to financial success, for both home-grown and international startups.”
HKSTP is proud to forge strong connections between two of the world’s rapidly rising forces in global innovation. Hong Kong’s vibrant startup scene ranks second in the world and first in Asia among the Top 100 Emerging Ecosystems, with an estimated value of the city’s startup ecosystem at US$70 billion, twice the global average. In parallel, the Saudi tech market reached an impressive US$40 billion by the end of 2022, solidifying its position as the largest in the MENA region.
As part of the LEAP 2024 event, HKSTP will host a high-profile discussion panel focused on the growing biotech and healthtech sectors, which are key areas for collaboration as both Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia have prioritised them as pillars for economic diversification and future growth.
Titled “Hong Kong Healthtech Innovations Driving Global Transformation for Generations to Come” the panel will be moderated by HKSTP’s CEO Albert Wong and feature leaders in the Hong Kong biotech and healthtech innovation scene: Prof Samuel Au, President of Cornerstone Robotics; Chi Man Lam, Founder and CEO of Applied Technology Group; and Dr Zhu Tian, Co-Founder and CEO of GenEditBio.
Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Communication, Information and Technology (MCIT) H.E. Eng. Abdullah Al-Swaha visited Hong Kong Science Park at the “One Gateway Shared Vision – Hong Kong Special Administrative Region x Kingdom of Saudi Arabia” event in July 2023, presenting boundless opportunities for tech companies, start-ups and talent. Supported by MCIT Saudi Arabia, LEAP 2024 shall deepen cooperation of two I&T forces and fortify the Hong Kong-Saudi relations in the Belt and Road region.
