Policy Address 2026: Hong Kong to Launch First National Manufacturing Innovation Centre by Year-End
RTHK · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago3 MIN
Summary
The Policy Address 2026 outlines Hong Kong's ambitious plans to accelerate innovation and technology development, with the establishment of the city's first National Manufacturing Innovation Centre taking centre stage. The HZMB Hong Kong Park, which officially opened in December last year, has already welcomed over 100 innovation and technology enterprises and institutions, with both wet laboratory buildings fully leased. The government aims to announce the results of two rounds of public tender for eight remaining land parcels in the first-phase development by the end of this year. Meanwhile, the Northern Metropolis continues to take shape as a hub for advanced industries.
Key Points
- The HZMB Hong Kong Park has attracted over 100 innovation and technology enterprises and institutions since its official opening in December 2025, with both wet laboratory buildings fully leased .
- Hong Kong signed an agreement with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology in July 2026 to establish the first National Manufacturing Innovation Centre, to be operated by the Microelectronics Research and Development Institute .
- The Microelectronics Research and Development Institute has moved into the Yuen Long Microelectronics Centre, where two pilot production lines are being rapidly assembled, focusing on third-generation semiconductor chip technology research and trial production .
- The Northern Metropolis has reserved 30 hectares of land for an advanced construction industry park, which will house steel prefabrication and new concrete production facilities, as well as testing and certification infrastructure for modular integrated construction .
- The government will invite market expressions of interest for the approximately 10-hectare advanced construction industry park in South Yuen Lan in the first half of next year, with the first batch of land targeted to go to tender no later than the first half of 2028 .
Why It Matters
The establishment of the National Manufacturing Innovation Centre positions Hong Kong to play a strategic role in China's semiconductor development, while the Northern Metropolis development signals a long-term commitment to diversifying the city's economic base beyond finance and real estate. These initiatives could create substantial employment opportunities and attract high-value industries, addressing concerns about limited land supply for industrial development while strengthening Hong Kong's integration with the Greater Bay Area.
The establishment of the National Manufacturing Innovation Centre positions Hong Kong to play a strategic role in China's semiconductor development, while the Northern Metropolis development signals a long-term commitment to diversifying the city's economic base beyond finance and real estate. These initiatives could create substantial employment opportunities and attract high-value industries, addressing concerns about limited land supply for industrial development while strengthening Hong Kong's integration with the Greater Bay Area.