Hong Kong's businesses have achieved success against a backdrop of accelerating geopolitical change, uncertainties in the external economy, and trade protectionism, the city’s leader said on Monday.
The special administrative region is currently undergoing economic restructuring, meaning that many enterprises, in particular small and medium enterprises (SMEs), are facing challenges of various forms, John Lee Ka-chiu said.
The SAR government has spared no effort in helping SMEs to accelerate upgrading and transformation, including digitalization and green transformation, and to explore new markets, he added.
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The chief executive made the statements in a video message to the 2023-24 Hong Kong Awards for Industries Presentation Ceremony.
Seventy-nine local companies were commended at the awards ceremony. Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk Wing-hing attended it as an officiating guest.
In his message, Lee said while the award-winning enterprises and products come from various industries and sectors, they all demonstrate, in common, the spirit of Hong Kong enterprises to strive and persevere.
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He said the enterprises awarded had pursued breakthroughs in products and equipment, engaged in upgrades and transformation, applied creativity, innovation and technology, and raised service levels, thereby contributing to Hong Kong's high value-added development.
He encouraged the awardees, as well as other enterprises, to embrace change, unleash their innovation and creativity, and fully capitalize on the city's distinctive advantages of enjoying strong support from the motherland and being closely connected to the world.
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The Grand Award winners were Dunwell Engineering Company (upgrading and transformation), Techtronic Industries Company (consumer product design), Emerging Viral Diagnostics (HK) (equipment and machinery design), Watsons Hong Kong (customer service), and Logital Co (innovation and creativity).
Total 167 entries were received for the awards.
The award scheme recognizes the accomplishments of Hong Kong enterprises in enhancing their competitiveness and achieving high value-added operations.
