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HKSTP Reached out to World-class Universities in the US on Talent Nurturing and Sparked Huge Interest in Hong Kong’s I&T Ecosystem

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HKSTP

Meetings with NVIDIA, Google, Linkedin to explore collaboration opportunities through HKSTP Innovation Mixer to the US West Coast
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 25 January 2024 – Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) recently embarked on its Innovation Mixer US West Coast Tour to connect the US and Hong Kong innovation communities and showcase the booming opportunities in Asia. From 16 to 19 January, the HKSTP delegation held a series of events including visits to prestigious academic institutions Stanford University and University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) to explore potential collaborations on incubation, internship and talent programmes. The delegation met with over 40 market-leading tech enterprises, venture capital firms, accelerators, academia and R&D leaders, while over 250 young entrepreneurs, innovators and talent came to hear about Hong Kong’s growing innovation and technology (I&T) ecosystem.

HKSTP met with representatives from the US tech sector including Silicon Valley leader Google, Israeli accelerator UPWEST LABS and life sciences venture APstem THERAPEUTICS in its Innovation Mixer US tour.

The huge participant interest saw eager conversations regarding cooperating with HKSTP and potential expansion to Hong Kong, Asia and beyond. Hong Kong’s status is on the rise as it has ascended to 9th in the UN’s Global Frontiers Technology Readiness Index in 2023. While the latest Global Innovation Index affirms that the HK-Shenzhen-Guangzhou science and technology cluster is now ranked number two in the world, proving that Hong Kong is at the centre of a growing innovation powerhouse in China and Asia.

Albert Wong, CEO of HKSTP, said, “The sheer talent and technology expertise on the US West Coast is unsurpassed, while our own innovation communities at HKSTP in HK, China and Asia are rapidly developing and eager to connect, collaborate and provide new growth opportunities to ambitious startups and tech talent. HKSTP truly believes innovation is global and with Hong Kong entering a golden era for I&T, it is the ideal launchpad for success in Asia and beyond.”

During the visits to Stanford University, the pre-eminent US institution for tech talent, the leadership team met with the Department of Management Science and Engineering, School of Engineering, and Graduate School of Business to explore partnerships on talent initiatives. HKSTP hosted a career session that highlighted exciting I&T career paths in Hong Kong, while HKSTP’s CEO Albert Wong introduced the internship and graduate opportunities offered by HKSTP to over 50 Stanford students from different faculties.

To engage the Business Association of Stanford Entrepreneurial Students (BASES) with highly influential alumni and innovative students, a networking session was held in which Albert outlined the career journey and differences in multinational corporations (MNCs) operating in the US, Asia-Pacific and China. By contrasting leadership roles in MNCs with entrepreneurial management experiences, participants were inspired to adventure into the I&T ecosystem in Hong Kong, unlocking the tremendous potential for global investors and talent through this important gateway to China and Asian markets.

Collaborations on talent nurturing with UC Berkeley reached new heights. HKSTP delegation met with the University’s Director of International Partnership, Dr Matthew Sherburne, to explore opportunities on startup partnerships and internship programmes. The team paid a visit to UC Berkeley’s Mechanical Systems Control Lab, supervised by Professor Masayoshi Tomizuka, who is also the Co-Director of Hong Kong Centre for Logistics Robotics, InnoHK. The research team showed immense interest in the funding and support to R&D in Hong Kong.

The West Coast tour also included meetings with global tech leaders NVIDIA, Google, Linkedin; US venture capital firms such as TSVC; Silicon Valley based innovation and entrepreneurship platforms such as JJ Lake and Q Bay Center; Israeli accelerator UPWEST LABS, among others, with extensive talks to explore and deepen cooperations. The delegation engaged with companies from the life sciences, AI, fintech and cybersecurity sectors that expressed keen interest in Asian expansion.

In addition, HKSTP and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) organised a reception dinner that attracted around 150 tech professionals from leading enterprises, universities and venture capital firms including Apple, Google, Stanford University, UC Berkeley, JP Morgan and East West Bank. Participants were informed of the surge in investment and resources in Hong Kong’s thriving I&T sector.

“HKSTP Innovation Mixer” was launched in 2023 as an outreach programme aimed at connecting with enterprises and talent from around the world to grow Hong Kong and Asia’s collective innovation ecosystems. HKSTP demonstrated its integrated ecosystem of infrastructure, R&D, consultation, funding, partner matching and market development services, which help tech enterprises at all stages of their innovation journey. HKSTP delegations visited Singapore and Malaysia last year and completed its US tour in January this year.

Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation
Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) was established in 2001 with a mission to position Hong Kong as an international innovation and technology (I&T) hub. HKSTP has created a thriving I&T ecosystem supporting over 10 unicorns with more than 13,000 research professionals and around 1,700 technology companies from 24 countries and regions focused on healthtech, AI and robotics, fintech and smart city technologies.

We offer comprehensive support to attract and nurture talent, accelerate and commercialise innovation for technology ventures on their I&T journey. Our growing innovation ecosystem is built around our key locations of Hong Kong Science Park in Shatin, InnoCentre in Kowloon Tong and three modern InnoParks in Tai Po, Tseung Kwan O and Yuen Long. The three InnoParks are realising a vision of new industrialisation for Hong Kong, where sectors including advanced manufacturing, micro-electronics and biotechnology are being reimagined for a new generation of industry.

To support Hong Kong’s future development and its growing demands of the I&T industry, HKSTP is actively connecting the city with Shenzhen. This aims to strengthen cross-border exchange, attract technology companies as well as talent from around the world, helping them go global by exploring the mainland China and overseas markets.

Hong Kong Science Park Shenzhen Branch in Futian, Shenzhen, opened in September 2023 with a gross floor area of 31,000 square meters. The two buildings provide both dry and wet laboratories, co-working areas, conference and exhibition spaces, and more. We will focus on attracting enterprises in seven key areas: Medtech, big data and AI, robotics, new materials, microelectronics, fintech and sustainability.

Through our infrastructure, services, expertise, and network of partnerships, HKSTP will help establish I&T as a pillar of growth for Hong Kong, while reinforcing the city’s international I&T hub status as a launchpad for growth at the heart of the GBA innovation powerhouse.

More information about HKSTP is available at www.hkstp.org.

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Ministers among hundreds of energy-sector leaders to attend AOW event

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The event kicks off with an invitation-only ministerial symposium focused on the theme of “Fostering innovation, attracting investment, and promoting sustainable growth in the oil, gas, and energy sectors”

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, October 4, 2024/APO Group/ — 

AOW: Investing in African Energy (https://AOWEnergy.com) – Africa’s leading oil, gas and energy event – has confirmed attendance for more than 80 ministers and senior officials, representing African governments, energy departments and regulators at next month’s event.

These influential stakeholders will be among the more than 1 600 senior delegates and industry leaders who will be attending the event to develop policy, share discoveries, secure investment, and shape Africa’s energy future.

The event kicks off with an invitation-only ministerial symposium focused on the theme of “Fostering innovation, attracting investment, and promoting sustainable growth in the oil, gas, and energy sectors.”

Given the recent major oil-and-gas discoveries across Africa, the energy transition and major geopolitical events, it is clear that the energy sector needs positive intervention

Among the officials and government ministers attending will be energy leaders from South Africa, Nigeria, Namibia, Cote d’Ivoire, Mozambique, DRC, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Eswatini, Uganda, CAR, Guinea Conakry, Guinea Bissau, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Gabon, Malawi, Morocco, Zanzibar, Liberia, Senegal, Congo Brazzaville and Sierra Leone.

In addition, the event will feature high-level delegations from numerous national oil companies, as well as multilateral bodies including the African Union, (AU), African Energy Commission (AFREC), African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO) and the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP).

AOW will see these energy leaders networking with C-suite executives and decision-makers from more than 760 top energy companies at daily networking events, to discuss insights, forge new relationships, and negotiate major energy deals.

“We are so excited to see the calibre of delegates at this year’s AOW event,” says Chief Executive Officer of Sankofa Events, Paul Sinclair. “Given the recent major oil-and-gas discoveries across Africa, the energy transition and major geopolitical events, it is clear that the energy sector needs positive intervention. The high-powered attendance proves AOW is a key platform to enable this intervention.”

Key themes to be discussed at this year’s AOW will be sustainable upstream development; expanding gas value chains; renewables and new energies; adoption of best-in-class technologies; and access to finance.

AOW: Investing in African Energy will culminate in a special anniversary party at Groot Constantia Vineyard to celebrate 30 years of the AOW event.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of AOW: Investing in African Energy.

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Afreximbank approves US$20.8 million for Starlink Global’s cashew factory project in Lagos

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The facility is expected to promote value addition which will guarantee increased earnings to the company while also fostering the creation of about 400 new jobs

CAIRO, Egypt, October 4, 2024/APO Group/ — 

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) has approved a US$20.8 million financing facility for Nigeria-based Starlink Global & Ideal Limited to enable the company construct and operate a 30,000-metric tonne per annum cashew processing factory in Lagos.

We are delighted at this partnership which promises to deliver significant impact on employment in Nigeria

According to the facility agreement signed in on July 22, 2024, Afreximbank will provide the funds in two tranches with the first tranche of US$7.48M going toward capital expenditure for the construction of the factory and the second, totalling US$13.25M to be deployed as working capital for the operations of the factory.

The facility is expected to promote value addition which will guarantee increased earnings to the company while also fostering the creation of about 400 new jobs once the factory becomes operational. It is also expected to support about 40 small and medium-sized enterprises.

Commenting on the transaction, Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra Africa Trade and Export Development, Afreximbank, said that by supporting Starlink Global to establish a modern processing facility, Afreximbank is making it possible for Africa to add value to its agro-commodities, thereby facilitating exports and subsequent inflow of much-needed foreign exchange into the continent.

“We are delighted at this partnership which promises to deliver significant impact on employment in Nigeria. It will contribute to value creation and to the development of the local community while also improving the lots of smallholder farmers and small business suppliers that will work with Starlink across the value chain,” Mrs. Awani added.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

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Sonangol to Lead Decarbonized Oil & Gas (O&G) Development, Says Angolan National Oil Company (NOC) Head

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Participating in an on-stage interview at Angola Oil & Gas 2024, Sonangol CEO Sebastião Gaspar Martins emphasized that oil and gas remains a core focus for the national oil company

LUANDA, Angola, October 3, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Angola’s national oil company Sonangol reiterated its commitment to driving sustainable hydrocarbon development during the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) conference this week. Speaking during an “In-Conversation with” session, Sonangol CEO Sebastião Gaspar Martins stated that the company will not abandon oil and gas, but rather advance decarbonized oil and gas development.

We are looking at opportunities in the gas sector and have identified the right partner to develop non-associated gas

By investing in upstream oil and gas production while prioritizing low-carbon projects, Sonangol aims to boost national crude output, while diversifying and decarbonizing the industry. The NOC is focusing efforts on non-associated gas development, as well as alternative energy sources such as solar.

“We are looking at opportunities in the gas sector and have identified the right partner to develop non-associated gas. Gas produced from Angola LNG will be used for the production of fertilizer and we are evaluating the utilization of gas in the south of the country, linking gas with steel industries. We also have a blue carbon project, linked to the reduction of carbon through the plantation of mangroves. We have one area in Luanda and have identified four additional areas for this,” stated Gaspar Martins.

Sonangol has undergone transformation in recent years: following the creation of the National Oil, Gas & Biofuels Agency (ANPG) in 2019, Sonangol transferred its role as national concessionaire and regulator. This transformation has aimed to make Sonangol more competitive and strengthen its capacity as an upstream operator. Concurrently, the government is partially privatizing the NOC, with privatization set to be complete in 2026. This process will enhance financial capacity, allowing Sonangol to drive new upstream projects forward.

“The transformation of Sonangol started several years ago, when we passed the regulatory, concessionaire role to the ANPG. At the time, we transferred almost 600 employees to the ANPG. After that, Sonangol underwent a restructuring program where we created five core business units from 36 different entities – starting with exploration and production. We want to go public, but we want to do it properly. So, we are currently going through all the processes to do this,” stated Gaspar Martins.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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