Financial Secretary Paul Chan today officiated at the opening ceremony of InnoCarnival 2022, which will run until October 30.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Chan said innovation and technology (I&T) are key drivers that foster economic innovation, accelerate the speed of development and expand development capacity. They are the determining factors of the future rise and fall of economies across the world.

The Chief Executive's Policy Address also stated that the Government will promulgate the Hong Kong I&T Development Blueprint within this year and proactively compete for enterprises and talent, so as to boost the flourishing development in the I&T industry and help Hong Kong move full steam towards the vision of an international I&T centre.

Themed "Innovation and technology empower our dreams", this year's carnival is one of the celebration events for the 25th anniversary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's establishment.

A total of 37 booths featuring exhibits of local I&T achievements are set up at the Science Park, along with around 145 online workshops and about 40 webinars, aiming to show the public the importance of I&T in people's daily lives and inspire the younger generation to pursue knowledge and cultivate interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

In addition, as the country recruits payload specialists in the Hong Kong SAR for the first time, an aerospace showcase is staged in the carnival.

The "City I&T Grand Challenge: The Showcase" is also being held during the event, where prototypes developed by 25 winners in the university or tertiary institute category as well as open groups are on display and available for trial.

All of the activities, with some requiring preregistration, are free of charge.