Infographic：How innovative are we?

[2021.04.21] 發表

【明報專訊】We have been emphasizing on the importance of innovation and technology for the past decades. Some people claim that innovation is critical to Hong Kong's economic transformation. Currently, biotech(生物科技), fintech(金融科技), artificial intelligence(人工智能) and Smart city(智慧城市) are identified as the four key areas for Hong Kong's innovation and technology industry. How much do you know about the innovative industry?

◆What is the number of start-ups(初創企業) in Hong Kong in 2020?

3360. The start-up ecosystem is ''thriving'', as described by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. Over 10,000 are employed in this sector.

◆What do fintech and biotech mean respectively?

Fintech is the abbreviation for Financial Technology, while biotech means biotechnology. The former focuses on the development of electronic financial services, while the latter focuses on scientific research on genetic projects and medical advancements.

◆How vibrant is the development of fintech in Hong Kong?

The industry grows significantly, and the number of start-ups increased from 138 in 2016 to 468 in 2020.

Have you heard of virtual banks? They deliver retail banking services through the internet or other forms of electronic channels only. Digital currency, new payment methods and virtual banks are all products of the vibrant Fintech sector.

．The number of fintech start-ups

2016：138

2020：468

◆What is the ranking of Hong Kong in the Global Innovation Index 2020 (全球創新指數) ?

11 out of 131 regions. Hong Kong obtained a score of 54.24 out of 100, while the median score among the world is 30.94. Notably, Switzerland ranked first with a score of 66.08.

．Global Innovation Index 2020 (see picture)

■Glossary

critical(adj) 關鍵的

thriving (adj) 蓬勃的

abbreviation (n) 縮寫

genetic (adj) 基因的

[Smarties' Power English 第310期]