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KGI: 2025 Market Outlook

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Balancing Global Dynamics

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 December 2024 – Today, KGI has released its 2025 Market Outlook, covering regions including Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, the U.S., Singapore, and Indonesia.

(From left) Cusson Leung, Chief Investment Officer at KGI; James Chu, Chairman at KGI Securities Investment Advisory; James Wey, Head of International Wealth Management at KGI; Kenny Wen, Head of Investment Strategy at KGI
(From left) Cusson Leung, Chief Investment Officer at KGI; James Chu, Chairman at KGI Securities Investment Advisory; James Wey, Head of International Wealth Management at KGI; Kenny Wen, Head of Investment Strategy at KGI

Reflecting on this year, the cooling of inflation and the labor market in the United States has brought the economy to a roughly balanced risk between employment and inflation. With Trump re-entering the White House, his policy propositions are poised to impact global economic development and shape the trend of medium and long-term interest rates. In China, domestic investment confidence remains weak. With the potential risk of the United States significantly increasing tariffs, Chinese exports may be affected. In response, China will introduce relevant measures to address these challenges.

Under this backdrop, we recommend the “ACE” strategy for 2025:

  1. Alternatives: Gold and cryptocurrencies — assets with lower correlation to traditional stocks and bonds.
  2. Credit Selection: Prioritize high-rated bonds, focusing on opportunities in corporate bonds.
  3. Elite Stocks: Prefer U.S. and Japanese stocks, maintain a preference for large-cap over small-cap, and pay attention to sector rotation.

Kenny Wen, Head of Investment Strategy at KGI, says: “Regarding asset allocation, based on our assessment of the global economy and geopolitical factors for 2025, investors can consider the ACE strategy: A is for Alternatives, which refers to diversifying into alternative assets to reduce portfolio volatility, with gold being a viable option. C is for Credit Selection, meaning carefully selecting investment-grade bonds to enhance potential income. Lastly, E is for Elite Stocks, where we prefer large-cap stocks, particularly from the U.S. and Japan.”

Macro and the U.S. Market
Within developed markets, the U.S. economy may slow down more significantly than the current market consensus estimate. In other regions, the recovery in the Eurozone and the UK was weaker than expected, but the trend of year-on-year growth is still improving. It is expected that the overall performance will still lag behind the U.S., but the gap is narrowing. In China, the market is currently focused on whether the Central Economic Work Conference in December can propose effective fiscal “stimulus” policies; otherwise, achieving 5% economic growth in the future remains challenging.

In the U.S., the manufacturing recovery has been weak, mainly due to overall weak capital expenditure. On the other hand, for the service sector, has shown unexpectedly strong performance, which has been key to the U.S. economy outperforming other mature markets over the past six months. However, with declining savings rates and increasing financial burdens, credit consumption momentum will weaken, potentially dragging on the U.S. economy in 2025.

Trump’s four major policies—tax cuts, increased tariffs, immigration restrictions, and financial deregulation—have an uncertain execution order, which may adversely affect inflation. Starting with restrictions on immigration and the implementation of tariffs, these policies are visible. Therefore, throughout the year, the four policies mentioned above may be announced in the first half, increasing the volatility of financial markets. However, higher economic risk for the United States is still in the second half of the year, and whether there will be improvement in the fourth quarter depends on the policy changes at that time.

The U.S. has returned to a roughly balanced dual-risk target of employment and inflation, with core inflation expected to continue declining in 2025. However, Trump’s increased tariffs and anti-immigration policies could lead to a resurgence in goods and services inflation, posing a risk of rising inflation again in 2026. The U.S. has returned to a state of full employment, with the unemployment rate for non-temporary jobs slowly rising, which may negatively affect the consumer spending.

In terms of U.S. stock investment, after two consecutive years driven by the AI wave, the overall U.S. stock market is no longer cheap. However, we see opportunities for sector rotation in the future, mainly reflected in estimated earnings improvements, particularly in finance, materials, industrial, and healthcare sectors. From a timing perspective, we believe the positive post-election stance can be maintained in the first quarter, but starting in the second quarter, the risks of Trump’s policies and economic downturn expectations will be reflected; risks will further increase in the second half, with the first half overall better than the second half.

As for bond investment, under Republican full control, bond investment may be adversely affected. For example, worsening fiscal deficits will increase bond issuance costs, rising inflation will lead to higher yields on medium- and long-term bonds, and poor fiscal discipline and long-term inflation risks will push up neutral interest rates and bond term premiums. Therefore, medium- and long-term government bonds are less favored in 2025, while some short-term government bonds or high-credit-quality corporate bonds, with relatively higher yields, can provide good interest income. Overall, 2025, with increased inflation risk and potential monetary policy reversal, is not favorable for bond investment.

James Chu, Chairman at KGI Securities Investment Advisory, says: “The global economy’s overall growth in 2025 is expected to be similar to that of 2024. Although the U.S. economy is showing a downward trend, it remains relatively strong among developed markets. The biggest variable for economic performance in 2025 remains the implementation of policies following Trump’s return to office; the impact of these policies on the economy might be difficult to assess immediately, but they are certainly unfavorable for inflation. The Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates by 75-100 basis points, potentially reaching a low of 3.75-4.0% in 2025, with rate hikes possibly resuming in 2026. In terms of investment, after being driven by the AI wave for two consecutive years, U.S. stocks are no longer cheaply valued, but there are opportunities for sector rotation. It is expected that in 2025, the S&P 500 will still see mid to high single-digit profit growth, with annual returns estimated between 6-12%, which is a decline compared to the previous two years. In terms of timing, we believe the first quarter should maintain the current post-election bullish trend. Starting in the second quarter, the market is expected to reflect the risks associated with Trump’s policies and the anticipated economic downturn, which may lead to market volatility. Risks are expected to increase further in the second half of the year, with overall performance anticipated to be better in the first half than in the second half.”

Mainland China and Hong Kong Markets
Looking back at the first three quarters of the year, the Chinese economy grew 5.3% YoY in Q1, beating the expected 4.8%, but the momentum slowed down afterwards. In Q2 and Q3, the growth rates came in at 4.7% and 4.6% respectively. This brought GDP growth for the first three quarters to 4.8%, below the government’s target of around 5%. China’s economic growth has been trending down quarter by quarter, indicating strong downward pressure on its economy. Hence the Chinese government has introduced a package of counter-cyclical policies in recent months, which include not only monetary policies such as reducing reserve requirement ratios (RRRs) and interest rates cut, but also a relatively large-scale debt-swap program to ease the stress on local governments’ budgets, to release the resources for supporting the economy.

5% GDP growth for 2025 facing lingering challenges
In fact, although the debt relief program looks sizable, but fiscal “stimulus” is lacking. China needs fiscal policy along with stimulus measures that are large and direct enough to make a difference in the medium to long term. We are expecting that China will continue to advance its medium-term policy stimulus (more rate cuts and other individual measures are possible by year-end; any large-scale incremental fiscal program might have to wait until after next year’s Two Sessions). Moreover, the upcoming focus will be December’s Central Economic Work Conference (CEWC), at which the policy setting for next year will be determined. Investors are more concerned about the impact of Donald Trump’s retaking the White House on China-U.S. relations and the Mainland economy. Tariffs have moved to the center stage while foreign affairs, finance and technology, etc. have receded slightly. If Trump insists on raising tariffs on all Chinese imports to 60%, the impact on China’s trade and economy will be significant. In short, China’s economy next year will be driven by two opposing forces: U.S. policy and stimulus efforts of the Central Government.

Overall, as confidence is yet to be restored, might have to do with China’s not-yet-returned animal spirits. In addition, the continued sluggish employment performance has led to the limited growth in wages (especially for new employees). All this is making people reluctant to spend like they did in the past. Given such stubborn structural problems, we believe that achieving a 5% economic growth rate in China in 2025 will be challenging.

Target price for the HSI in 2025: 23,200 points
Looking ahead to 2025, While the China-U.S. relationship is poised to be the primary risk factor for the Hong Kong stock market in 2025, from an optimistic perspective, the declaration by President Trump regarding a potential 60% tariff on Chinese imports may serve as a part of bargaining strategy, leaving the final tariff rates and their scope uncertain. Additionally, considering that the Ministry of Finance has indicated that further economic stimulus measures are yet to be introduced, our outlook for the market remains cautiously positive. Considering the unusually exuberant market sentiment during the HSI’s recent decline from the peak, when daily trading turnover exceeded HK$600bn at once, we believe that the index has the potential to return to the 23,200 points in 2025. In terms of market valuation, the market forecasts EPS of HK$2,210 for 2025, reflecting a YoY growth of 5.1%. Thus, the forwarded P/E corresponding to the 23,200-point level would be 10.50x, slightly above the 10-year average of 10.26x. Should the index close at 19,700 points by year-end, this would indicate a potential upside of approximately 17.8%.

This scenario is based on the following key assumptions: (1) the scale of economic stimulus measures aligns with expectations and focuses on private consumption, (2) EPS growth for the HSI maintains above 5%, and (3) the China-U.S. conflict is confined to trade-related issues only.

Three investment themes for 2025

  1. Benefiting from new policies
  2. Low geopolitical sensitivity
  3. Actively expanding business overseas

Top Picks

Name Target Price
Benefiting from new policies
CMB (3968) 43.0
PAI (2318) 57.5
Low geopolitical sensitivity
CSCI (3311) 11.9
Tencent (700) 507.0
China Mobile (941) 80.9
Actively expanding business overseas
Trip.com (9961) 625.3
BYD (1211) 319.1

Prepared by KGI

Kenny Wen, Head of Investment Strategy at KGI, says: “In light of various external uncertainties, such as the recent escalation in the Russia-Ukraine situation and Trump’s threats to significantly increase tariffs, there are potential negative impacts on China’s economy. Coupled with insufficient domestic demand, achieving a 5% economic growth rate next year may be challenging. We should closely monitor the Central Economic Work Conference in December and the Two Sessions in March next year, by then to gain more insights on, how would central government’s assess economic performance and the timeline for introducing stimulus policies. Regarding the Hong Kong stock market, while the economic and corporate earnings growth prospects in mainland China remain conversative, the Hang Seng Index’s attractive valuation and the underweight positions of foreign institutional investors suggest that the market may continue to experience significant fluctuations. Once investor confidence returns and capital flows into the market, the Hang Seng Index could potentially break through the 23,200 level seen in October this year. We recommend focusing on three main themes: (1) benefiting from new policies, (2) low geopolitical sensitivity, and (3) actively expanding business overseas.”

Taiwan Market
We are optimistic that Taiwan’s stock market in 2025 will continue the bullish trend observed in 2023 and 2024. This optimism is primarily based on the steady global economic expansion and the AI arms race, which is expected to sustain strong momentum in technology stock earnings.

While we remain optimistic about the continuation of the bullish trend in Taiwan’s stock market in 2025, the annual gains may not surpass the impressive performances of the past two years. The current AI-driven surge has already resulted in a significant increase of over 90% for the TAIEX, with the forward price-to-earnings ratio reaching as high as 21 times. Compared to previous bull markets driven by technological paradigm shifts, the current gains and valuations are approaching historical peaks. Following a 28% increase in 2023, Taiwan’s stock market once reached a maximum gain of nearly 30% so far in 2024.

We expect Taiwan’s stock market in 2025 to generally follow a U-shaped trend, with a bullish bias in the first and fourth quarters and potential corrections in the second and third quarters.

James Chu, Chairman at KGI Securities Investment Advisory, says: “Under a scenario where the U.S. economy achieves a soft landing, interest rate cuts are expected to boost risk assets. This, combined with China’s economic stimulus measures and the steady trend of artificial intelligence, supports a bullish outlook for Taiwan’s stock market in 2025. The tech industry continues to thrive, primarily driven by AI, with Taiwan maintaining its leading position in the global semiconductor sector and a comprehensive AI supply chain, which is expected to drive significant earnings growth in 2025. However, following Taiwan’s stock market with a maximum gain of nearly 30% in 2023 and 2024, and with earnings growth projected to slow from 36% in 2024 to 18% in 2025, the potential for sustained index gains may be limited. Instead, the focus may shift to individual stock performance. Domestic investors have effectively countered foreign selling pressure in recent years, providing continued support against downside risks in 2025. Meanwhile, the Trump administration’s aggressive economic and trade policies could increase market volatility but also present strategic buying opportunities.”

Singapore Market
Looking ahead to 2025, significant changes are anticipated in the global macroeconomic landscape, with the U.S. expected to overhaul key policies related to international trade, foreign affairs, immigration, and more under Trump’s administration. Rising tensions among major economies are likely. However, Singapore, with its strategic position as a trade, logistics, and wealth hub, is well-positioned to navigate these shifts. Since the onset of the trade war in 2017, Singapore has leveraged its strengths and geographical advantages to achieve consistent growth. As we move into the coming year, Singapore is poised to face both new challenges and fresh opportunities. Chen Guangzhi, Head of Research at KGI Singapore, says: “We believe Singapore will capture growth opportunities amidst the backdrop of the new round of global trade tensions and ensuing rising geopolitical risks in 2025”

Indonesia Market
We are optimistic about 2025, targeting higher economic growth of 5.5%, which is above the 10-year average of 5.1%. This growth will be driven by increased consumption and investment, a rise in civil servant salaries, infrastructure development in the Nusantara Capital City (IKN), and downstream exports, contingent on robust global commodity prices. Yuganur Wijanarko, Senior Analyst at KGI Indonesia, says: “We maintain a positive outlook for 2025, and despite upcoming challenges, anticipate significant improvements in consumer confidence and domestic demand.”

DISCLAIMER
All the information contained in this document is not intended for use by persons or entities located in or residing in jurisdictions which restrict the distribution of this document by KGI Asia Limited (“KGI”), or any other affiliates of KGI. Such information shall not constitute investment advice, or an offer to sell, or an invitation, solicitation or recommendation to subscribe for or invest in any securities, insurance or other investment products or services nor a distribution of information for any such purpose in any jurisdiction. In particular, the information herein is not for distribution and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of any offer to buy any securities in the United States of America, or to or for the benefit of United States persons (being residents of the United States of America or partnerships or corporations organised under the laws of the United States of America or any state, territory or possession thereof). All the information contained in this document is for general information and reference purpose only without taking into account of any particular investor’s objectives, financial situation or needs and may not be redistributed, reproduced or published (in whole or in part) by any means or for any purpose without the prior written consent of KGI. Such information is not intended to provide any legal, financial, tax or other professional advice and should not be relied upon in that regard.

All investments involve risks. The prices of securities fluctuate, sometimes dramatically. The price of a security may move up or down, and may become valueless. It is as likely that losses will be incurred rather than profit made as a result of buying and selling securities.

Bond investment is NOT equivalent to a time deposit. It is NOT protected under the Hong Kong Deposit Protection Scheme. Bondholders are exposed to a variety of risks, including but not limited to: (i) Credit risk – The issuer is responsible for payment of interest and repayment of principal of bonds. If the issuer defaults, the holder of bonds may not be able to receive interest and get back the principal. It should also be noted that credit ratings assigned by credit rating agencies do not guarantee the creditworthiness of the issuer; (ii) Liquidity risk – some bonds may not have active secondary markets and it would be difficult or impossible for investors to sell the bond before its maturity; (iii) Interest rate risk – When the interest rate rises, the price of a fixed rate bond will normally drop, and vice versa. If you want to sell your bond before it matures, you may get less than your purchase price. Do not invest in bond unless you fully understand and are willing to assume the risks associated with it. Please seek independent advice if you are unsure.

You are advised to exercise caution and undertake your own independent review, and you should seek independent professional advice before making any investment decision. You should carefully consider whether investment is suitable in light of your own risk tolerance, financial situation, investment experience, investment objectives, investment horizon and investment knowledge.

No representation or warranty is given, whether express or implied, on the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of information provided herein. In all cases, anyone proposing to rely on or use the information contained herein should independently verify and check the accuracy, completeness, reliability and suitability of the information. Simulations, past and projected performance may not necessarily be indicative of future results.

Information including the figures stated herein may not necessarily have been independently verified, and such information should not be relied upon in making investment decisions. None of KGI, its affiliates or their respective directors, officers, employees and representatives will be liable for any loss or damage of any kind (whether direct, indirect or consequential losses or other economic loss of any kind) suffered or incurred by any person or entity due to any omission, error, inaccuracy, incompleteness or otherwise, or any reliance on such information. Furthermore, none of KGI, its affiliates or their respective directors, officers, employees and representatives shall be liable for the content of information provided by or quoted from third parties.

Members of the KGI group and their affiliates may provide services to any companies and affiliates of such companies mentioned herein. Members of the KGI group, their affiliates and their directors, officers, employees and representatives may from time to time have a position in any securities mentioned herein.
Hashtag: #KGI #MarketOutlook

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

KGI

KGI is one of the region’s leading financial institutions since 1997. Our scope of business encompasses wealth management, brokerage, fixed income, and asset management. We are committed to offering a broad range of financial products and services to corporate, institutional, and individual clients throughout Asia. Backed by KGI Financial Group, we have a robust Asia footprint covering Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand.

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Jeffrey C. Lim of SM Prime Holdings, Inc. Receives Eminent Leader in Asia Award at ACES Awards 2024

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BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 December 2024 – Jeffrey C. Lim, President of SM Prime Holdings, Inc., has been instrumental in transforming SM Prime into a leading property conglomerate, a journey now recognized with the Eminent Leaders in Asia Award at the Asia Corporate Excellence & Sustainability (ACES) 2024 Awards.

An exceptional moment of recognition: Jeffrey Lim, President of SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (left center), receives the prestigious Eminent Leaders in Asia award at the recently concluded ACES Awards 2024 in Bangkok. As the sole recipient of this coveted honour this year, Jeffrey exemplifies unparalleled leadership and vision. Presenting the award on stage were Dr. Shanggari Balakrishnan, President of the ACES Awards (far left), Hemant Batra, Honorary Chairman of the ACES Council (right center), and Luis Bueno Nieto, Advisor to the ACES Council (far right).

As a founding member, Lim has been with the company through significant milestones, including consolidating SM Group’s property units in 2013 to establish SM Prime as the Philippines’ largest property conglomerate. Since his promotion to President in 2016, he has driven an expansive, sustainability-focused strategy that has fueled the company’s growth and solidified its commitment to responsible development.

Founded in 1994, SM Prime has evolved from a mall developer into an integrated property developer, recognized for its transformative approach to sustainable urban development across Southeast Asia. This evolution from a focused mall owner to a diversified real estate leader reflects the company’s proactive response to changing market dynamics and its dedication to long-term, responsible growth.

Today, SM Prime boasts a comprehensive portfolio encompassing malls, residential properties, office spaces, hotels and convention centers. Notably, in 2017, it became the first company on the Philippine Stock Exchange to surpass the one trillion peso market capitalization threshold, setting a new benchmark in the country’s corporate landscape.

Under Lim’s management, SM Prime has become a vital contributor to economic growth in the Philippines. Its extensive mall network, which began with just four malls in 1994 and has now expanded to 87 in the Philippines and eight in China, supports over 22,000 local businesses and covers over 11 million square meters of gross floor area. Through SM Development Corporation (SMDC), the company has also developed over 184,000 residential units, addressing critical housing needs while supporting local economic development.

SM Prime has also made significant strides in the hospitality sector with 10 hotels, six convention centers and two trade halls, further stimulating tourism and creating local employment opportunities. Its developments are designed to be economically inclusive and supportive of small businesses, generating a lasting positive impact on the communities they serve.

Sustainability is deeply ingrained in SM Prime’s corporate philosophy. The company has set an ambitious target of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, aligning with global standards and partnering with WWF-Philippines to advance renewable energy adoption, energy efficiency, and sustainable construction practices. Water stewardship is another key element of SM Prime’s sustainability initiatives, with the company recycling over 4.4 million cubic meters of water in 2023.

Furthermore, a comprehensive waste management program underscores SM Prime’s dedication to environmental responsibility. In partnership with Japan-based GUUN Co. Ltd, SM Prime is developing infrastructure to enhance waste management and resource recovery, aiming to reduce landfill waste. In 2023 alone, SM Prime managed 165.7 million tonnes of waste, with significant portions recycled, reused, or composted, reflecting a commitment to a circular economy and a waste-free future.

Lim’s leadership style is characterized by a focus on collective success and employee empowerment. “Our success at SM Prime is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our entire team,” Lim shared. “This recognition from the ACES Awards reaffirms our commitment to creating spaces where people and communities can thrive.”

Lim believes that true leadership involves fostering collaboration and aligning the company’s vision with a broader purpose. His focus on well-being and inclusivity in the workplace has cultivated a culture that values each employee’s contribution and encourages growth. This has positioned SM Prime as a company where people feel empowered and motivated.

The ACES Awards, organised by MORS Group, aims to highlight industry leaders who have made significant contributions to sustainable development and business excellence across Asia. Shanggari B, President of the ACES Awards, praised SM Prime and its leadership, stating, “Jeffrey Lim’s leadership is a testament to what can be achieved through dedication and integrity.”

As SM Prime embarks on its next phase of growth, the company remains focused on bringing world-class, sustainable developments to the Philippines, inspired by its commitment to community impact and environmental stewardship. The ACES Eminent Leaders in Asia Award is a significant milestone, reinforcing SM Prime’s role as a leader in shaping the future of real estate and urban development across the region.

Hashtag: #ACESAwards2024 #SMPrime #EminentLeadersinAsia #RegionalRecognition #leadershipexcellence

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About SM Prime

SM Prime Holdings, Inc. is one of the biggest integrated property developers in Southeast Asia and the largest in the Philippines. Known for its commitment to sustainable urban development and positive community impact, it has a diverse portfolio that includes malls, residential properties, and commercial spaces. This has made it a key player in driving economic growth and enhancing the quality of life across the Philippines

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OctaTrader Introduces “Space”: A Popular Analytics Hub Enhancing Trading Decisions

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KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Pinion Newswire – 9 December 2024 – In 2024, OctaTrader has emerged as a popular trading platform, demonstrating a six-fold year-on-year growth in its user base since its launch in late 2022. Recognized for its seamless and user-friendly experience, OctaTrader now introduces “Space,” a sophisticated analytics hub integrated into its platform, catering to traders worldwide.

Introducing Space: Elevating Decision-Making for Traders

Launched in Q3 2024, Space represents a significant step in financial analytics, combining machine learning algorithms with expert insights to provide predictive analytics and curated trading strategies. Embedded within OctaTrader, Space allows users to access data-driven predictions and integrate them directly into their trading charts in just a few clicks.

This advanced toolkit simplifies decision-making, offering:

  • Predictive analytics powered by historical data.
  • Expert recommendations.
  • Comprehensive educational resources covering technical analysis and financial market fundamentals.

Space ensures that traders, irrespective of experience level, can approach the markets with confidence, reducing the cognitive challenges associated with trading decisions.

OctaTrader’s Holistic Ecosystem

OctaTrader’s ecosystem revolves around four pillars:

  • Payments and Transactions: Streamlined and secure for user convenience.
  • Trading Platform: Accessible across devices for seamless workflows.
  • Space: The newly integrated analytics hub.
  • Special Offers: Exclusive features designed to enhance trading experiences.

By consolidating these features into one platform, OctaTrader creates an efficient, secure, and dynamic trading environment.

Caption

Driving Innovation Through Client-Centric Development

OctaTrader remains committed to evolving alongside its users’ needs. Continuous research and client feedback drive incremental improvements, making the platform a reliable and innovative choice for traders globally.
Hashtag: #Octa

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Octa

Established in 2011, is an international broker offering commission-free access to global financial markets. With over 52 million trading accounts and clients in 180 countries, Octa provides educational resources and analytical tools to support investment goals.

In recognition of its excellence, Octa received the “Best Trading Platform Malaysia 2024” and the “Most Reliable Broker Asia 2023” awards. Beyond its core services, the company is actively involved in humanitarian initiatives, including educational and community support projects.

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Cyberport Artificial Intelligence Supercomputing Centre Officially Commences Operations

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AI Lab opened synchronously to drive Hong Kong forward a new milestone of “AI Plus”

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 December 2024 – Cyberport’s Artificial Intelligence Supercomputing Centre (AISC), first of this kind currently in Hong Kong, officially commences operations, and the AI Lab is also open concurrently. The opening ceremony of the AISC and AI Lab was held today at AI Lab and Prof Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry; Ir Tony Wong, Commissioner for Digital Policy; Hendrick Sin, Chairman of the Committee of the Artificial Intelligence Subsidy Scheme (AISS); Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport; and Dr Rocky Cheng, CEO of Cyberport officiated at the ceremony. Committee members of the AISS, artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem partners of Cyberport, and representatives of AI-related enterprises also attended the ceremony to witness the crucial moment of promoting local AI development to a new milestone.

Prof Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry(front row middle); Ir Tony Wong, Commissioner for Digital Policy(front row third left); Hendrick Sin, Chairman of the Committee of the AISS and committee members(front row third right) ; Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport(front row fourth left) ; Dr Rocky Cheng, CEO of Cyberport(front row fourth right) and other ecosystem partners attended the opening ceremony of AISC and AI Lab at AI Lab to witness the crucial moment of promoting local AI development to a new milestone.

Prof Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry said, “Artificial intelligence (AI) is the most critical technology for ‘new quality productive forces’ in the future. The Government has introduced a number of policies and measures to improve the development of the local AI ecosystem orderly and promote the ‘digital-intelligent’ application of AI. The official establishment of Cyberport’s Artificial Intelligence Supercomputing Centre today will become an indispensable and important pillar of the development of AI in Hong Kong. The supercomputing centre will not only provide advanced computing capabilities to promote industry development, but also become a cradle for converging and cultivating AI-related quality professionals. The supercomputing centre will bring together talents specialising in computing power, data and algorithm technology, coupling it with Cyberport’s AI Lab, Cyberport will provide an innovative platform for AI ecosystem partners and enterprises to connect with relevant application scenarios, explore product innovations and integrate with technologies, facilitating the transformation and application of more technologies, thereby injecting new impetus into the high-quality development of Hong Kong’s economy”.

Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport said, “The official commencement of Cyberport’s AISC signified the development of local AI ecosystem and industry has risen to a new height, broadening the prospects for the innovation and technology (I&T) advancement. The computing power of the first-phase facility provides 1,300 PFLOPS this year, and it will increase to 3,000 PFLOPS next year to meet the growing demand for computing power in the technology sector. With the opening of AI Lab concurrently, it leverages the research and development (R&D) capabilities of ecosystem partners to create a heterogeneous computing platform, which enables joint development of innovative AI products across different industries and use cases to facilitate the transformation and realisation of R&D outcomes as well as empowers communities and business sector to drive intelligent transformation. Additionally, it will enhance Hong Kong’s R&D capabilities to attract more cutting-edge technology projects and talents from Mainland China and around the globe to the city, thereby solidifying Hong Kong’s status as an international I&T hub.”

To promote the development of AI in Hong Kong, the HKSAR Government announced in the 2023 Policy Address that Cyberport would set up an AISC in phases from this year onwards to provide research teams with the necessary computing hardware. In addition, the HKSAR Government also announced in the 2024-2025 Budget that HK$3 billion were allocated to Cyberport to implement a three-year AISS, which mainly provides funding support to five categories of eligible entities, including local institutions, R&D centres and enterprises to utilise the computing power of the AISC to achieve more breakthroughs in scientific research.

The first phase of the AISS was launched in early October and multiple applications from eligible entities, including AI start-ups, local institutions, R&D centres, and strategic enterprises, were received. The funding has also been set aside to facilitate works including strengthening the cyber and data security of AISC in addition to promotion and education. It’s expected the scheme will allow the industry to make good use of the computing facilities as well as attract relevant talents, enterprises and R&D projects from Mainland China and around the world to land in Hong Kong, thereby providing necessary support to facilitate the many aspects of local AI and related industries developments.

The AI Lab launched today brings together the R&D capabilities of AI ecosystem partners in Hong Kong, providing them with an interactive space to showcase AI solutions and launch service products. Nearly 15 companies showcased their innovations at the ceremony, including local start-ups, strategic enterprises based at Cyberport, and ecosystem partners, to facilitate AI-related R&D and collaborations. Furthermore, the AI Lab provides AI ecosystem partners and enterprises with a platform to experience different supercomputing tools, explore product innovations, converge technologies, which could be applied to different industries and use cases to promote the transformation and realisation of innovative technologies, thereby driving new quality productive forces to foster the development of digital economy and smart city.

With the AISC as its core engine, Cyberport has built a comprehensive AI ecosystem that encompasses computing power, general and professional large models, model risk assessment, industry application support, governance and ethics discussions, and more, which gathers talent and innovative resources from the Mainland China and overseas to support innovative R&D and applications spanning across the AI ecosystem chain to accelerate industry development.

Currently, Cyberport houses more than 330 start-up enterprises specialising in AI and big data, including many strategic enterprises that have established operations in Cyberport, including D2 Intelligence, LAiPIC, Saunova, and beyond. Cyberport also fosters collaborations with leading AI enterprises including Baidu, Huawei and Inspur Cloud, and interconnects with start-up enterprises with the combination of their R&D capabilities in computing development, large model building, and more to promote the innovation and application of AI R&D. The strategic enterprises attracted to Hong Kong have invested capitals, technologies and talents to develop international headquarters. Through Hong Kong as an international springboard, they can “go global” to enable internationalisation of their AI products and services.

Hashtag: #AI #Cyberport #startup #innovation #AILab #AISC #AISS





Wechat: https://cyberport.hk/css/demo/icon/cyberport-wechat.png

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Cyberport

Cyberport is Hong Kong’s digital technology flagship and incubator for entrepreneurship with over 2,100 members including over 900 onsite and over 1,200 offsite start-ups and technology companies. It is managed by Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, wholly owned by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, and committed to the vision to inject new impetus into digital economy and smart city development through innovation and technology, and to connect enterprises to Mainland China and overseas markets. Cyberport strives to nurture a vibrant tech ecosystem by cultivating talents, promoting entrepreneurship among the youth, supporting start-ups, fostering technology industry development by promoting strategic collaboration with local, Mainland Chinese and international partners, and integrating new and traditional economies by accelerating digital transformation in public and private sectors.

For more information, please visit .

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