An architect’s model of Nansha IT Park, a world-class technological metropolis for the 21st century (zoom-in)

The HK$358 million (US$46 million) park aims to help companies meet their IT needs at lower manpower and operating costs while providing a gateway to the Chinese mainland market.

"The vision of the project is to promote collaboration between Hong Kong, Guangzhou and the PRD in building a world-class technological metropolis for the 21st century," said Prof Otto Lin, vice-president of research and development at HKUST.

"We seek to facilitate the development of high-tech entrepreneurs worldwide as well as enterprises in this region by creating knowledge and value. The park will be a catalyst to speed up the transformation of the PRD into a knowledge-based economy," he added.

Nansha Park is also seen as a centre of technology support for the expansion of Hong Kong companies and an incubator of new high-tech start-up firms.

Already, about 10 start-ups and branch offices of established Hong Kong companies are in operation in a temporary facility. Among the tenants are Cathay Pacific, the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation, and a company specialising in systems for intelligent buildings.

The 250 hectare park is to be developed in three stages and is scheduled for completion in 2010. About HK$283 million (US$36.3 million) has been invested in the first phase of the park and includes convention and training facilities as well as a software development centre. An electronic packaging centre is to be built soon.

HKUST will provide planning, project management and marketing expertise to the Park. It will also organise conferences, professional training and educational programmes in science, technology and management. It plans to establish research institutes and centres in areas of applied science and technology.

Hong Kong businessman Fok Ying Tung has worked for over 10 years to develop the island. Nansha Park will offer quality office space and reliable infrastructure set within a comfortable and pleasant environment for IT professionals to live and work.

Related links:
Nansha IT Park http://nansha.ust.hk/
HKUST www.ust.hk