'HK firms need tech upgrades to stay competitive'
The chairman of the Productivity Council, Sunny Tan, on Sunday said his group can help small- and medium-sized firms looking to integrate new technologies into their operations apply for government funding. Tan said the council has set up a hotline and uploaded information on its website on how to seek the financial aid. Speaking after attending a radio programme, Tan said the council had helped with some 1,200 projects, most of which had set up factories in Shenzhen or Dongguan. "[We have helped firms] set up automated factories or upgrade their production lines, from more of a traditional line into more modernised facilities with new machines and equipment," he told RTHK. He also said the council had helped set up “robotic elements to reduce or eliminate labour, because labour cost is high, and a lot of times [firms] are unable to find labour." For example, Tan noted that a local corn juice firm's output jumped nine-fold after the council helped it implement machine automation. He also stressed that Hong Kong firms need technology upgrades to expand their businesses, especially when it comes to taking up opportunities on the mainland and Belt and Road countries.