Increased cooperation between mainland high-tech companies and Hong Kong's talent pool is a crucial factor in the city's future development. David Paul Morris / Bloomberg

Mainland high-tech gaint to help HK startups through its investment fund

Lenovo Group Ltd will launch the first cloud services in Hong Kong and the Asia Pacific, as well as a product research and development center, in cooperation with Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Ltd.

The mainland computer-technology giant signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Jan 19 with Cyberport to build its cloud services center. Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying witnessed the ceremony.

The facility will focus on in-depth studies in two main perspectives, including "big data" and an "enterprise-level cloud services infrastructure platform".

Lenovo also intends to set up an Asia Pacific data center in Hong Kong to better serve the Asia Pacific market and ultimately support Lenovo's cloud service business globally.

The collaboration will be a major platform for Hong Kong's emerging startups and research firms engaged in cloud computing, and will act as a talent cradle for local university students.

"The Hong Kong government is always committed to building a business platform for the younger generation," Leung said, urging local entrepreneurs to make the best use of the government's financial support.

Lenovo Chairman Yang Yuanqing said one of the prime aims of such collaboration is to support Hong Kong's high-tech startups. He pledged to help these enterprises through LeFund - a $100-million investment fund Lenovo set up in 2010.

George He, senior vice-president of Lenovo, said he believed the collaboration with Cyberport will promote Lenovo's development of the cloud computing industry in Asia, saying that Lenovo itself could benefit from Cyperport's extensive network in Hong Kong's public, private and academic sectors and the city's great experience in nurturing industry talents. "We aim to push forward the development of cloud computing and tech product research in Hong Kong and the Asia Pacific region through cooperation with Lenovo," said Herman Lam Heung-yeung, chief executive officer of Cyberport.

"And we will develop high-tech talents and drive Hong Kong to be a leading place in science and technology," he said.

Lam expects Lenovo to bank on Cyberport's excellent Internet infrastructure and vibrant information and communications technology startup network to advocate the development of cloud computing.

"Cloud service offering and innovation of cloud ecology will flourish in both the public and private sectors in Hong Kong, I believe, through joining forces with a renowned global industry leader like Lenovo, as well as support from the Hong Kong government," Lam added.

celia@chinadaily.com.cn

(HK Edition 01/21/2015 page8)