GBA Briefs

Macao/Zhuhai: National-level research facilities open in Hengqin

Two national-level research facilities have been set up in the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Zhuhai: a branch of the State Key Laboratory for Advanced Metals and Materials, and a research and development center for hydrogen-fueled gas turbines.

The two projects, launched on Sept 30, are aimed at making the zone an important platform for deepening cooperation between Guangdong province and the Macao Special Administrative Region. The new facilities will help push forward research and development and the application of advanced metal materials related to marine energy and hydrogen energy, and diversify Macao's economic development.

Guangzhou: Guangdong to resume issuing business travel permits to HK

Guangdong province will resume processing applications for business travel permits to Hong Kong by residents on the Chinese mainland beginning Monday, according to the National Immigration Administration. The service has been suspended since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Successful applicants will have to meet the travel requirements stipulated by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region last month for visitors from Guangdong and Macao. Under the "Come2HK" program, only 2,000 permits are issued daily for travelers from the two regions. They can enter Hong Kong through the Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint or via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, and will be exempted from mandatory quarantine.

Shenzhen: Tripartite forum to create synergy among entrepreneurs

A Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Macao innovation and startup development forum was held in Shenzhen on Sept 29 with the theme "Developmental Integration and Innovation Sharing". The event attracted 150 young entrepreneurs, as well as scholars and financial industry experts, who shared their insights and expertise in their respective professions. It also included the showcasing of innovative products and discussions to strengthen collaboration in various fields.

The forum was co-organized by Hong Kong's Innovation and Technology Bureau, the Youth Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, the Shenzhen Science and Technology Association, the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Macao Science and Technology Coalition, and the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Macao Technology and Joint Innovation Coalition. The goal is to build a platform for young entrepreneurs from the three regions to exchange information and experiences, create all-around interaction and deepen communication.

Zhuhai: $12.5 billion in deals sealed at Airshow China 2021

Agreements totaling more than $12.5 billion were signed at Airshow China 2021, which took place in Zhuhai from Sept 28 to Sunday.

The deals included 159 different types of aircraft.

The six-day expo, one of the country's largest aviation and aerospace industry events, attracted more than 90,000 professionals and nearly 120,000 other visitors.

Sun Jiefeng, chairman and general manager of Airshow China, said the expo was a win-win as it not only showcased the country's latest developments in the industry, but also promoted national defense education.

Foshan: Digitalization shift to help transform real economy

Foshan has pledged to transform its real economy by implementing various financial support measures.

According to an action program, the city will leverage the central bank's financial tools, such as refinancing and discount window, to hasten credit lending to support the digitalization initiatives of manufacturing industries. Foshan plans to inject 15 billion yuan ($2.3 billion) of central bank capital into the manufacturing sector over the next three years.

The city will also encourage financial institutions to develop more financing and lending products aimed at digitalizing the manufacturing sector. Financial aid will be offered to encourage manufacturers to apply technologies, such as the digital system, industrial control software and cloud solutions.

A development fund to support the digital transformation of Foshan-based manufacturing industries was set up on Sept 15. The 30 billion yuan fund will be used to invest in 100 key projects within the next decade.

Huizhou: HK starts getting vegetables, fruits from new facility

The first batch of vegetables and fruits from the Huizhou GBA Agricultural Products Center arrived in Hong Kong last month, marking the start of the facility's operations. The products, including honeydew, broccoli and choy sum, were to be sold at the SAR's supermarkets. So far, about 55 over-the-scale vegetable farms, mostly based in Huizhou's east Boluo county, have joined in the production. The project is in line with Huizhou's role as the production and supply base for agricultural products in the Greater Bay Area.

Dongguan: Global robot, intelligent equipment expo set to open

The 7th Guangdong International Robot and Intelligent Equipment Exposition will be held in Dongguan from Sunday through Wednesday. About 300 prominent domestic and foreign enterprises will take part, showcasing their latest and most advanced automation as well as intelligent technology and equipment.

The Dongguan government, which is organizing the exposition, said it will help local enterprises in intelligent manufacturing, boost the industry's development, and facilitate the city's bid to become an advanced manufacturing hub in the Greater Bay Area.

Zhongshan: City sees 22% increase in business projects to 40b yuan

Zhongshan saw nearly 40 billion yuan ($6.20 billion) being invested in major business projects by the end of August, according to the city's bureau of Development and Reform. The investments represented a year-on-year increase of 22 percent and accounted for more than 73 percent of the targeted figure.

In addition, 64 other key projects have been launched to help Zhongshan develop a comprehensive industry value chain that will further strengthen the city's advanced manufacturing industry.

Jiangmen: Science-tech incubator planned for SARs' enterprises

A national science and technology incubator project for technology companies from Hong Kong and Macao is to be set up in Jiangmen's Pengjiang district. By promoting the optimization of Inno Valley — a Pengjiang-based technology business incubator — Jiangmen will strengthen cooperation with research institutions, such as the University of Hong Kong and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

Zhaoqing: IP center for smart vehicles starts operation

An intellectual property center specializing in the smart and new-energy vehicle industry has been set up in Zhaoqing to provide high-quality services to innovators, companies and institutions.

The center aims to strengthen intellectual property protection and help Zhaoqing evolve into a hub for the smart and new-energy vehicle industry in the Greater Bay Area.