Chief Executive CY Leung continued his Israeli visit today by learning more about the country's rich experience in innovation and technology development.
He led a Hong Kong delegation to visit a desalination plant near Tel Aviv - the largest in the world using reverse osmosis technology - and sampled water purified in it.
"We are also embarking on the development of a desalination plant at Tseung Kwan O. It would help diversify the source of water supply in Hong Kong," he said.
Touring the Weizmann Institute of Science, one of Israel's leading multidisciplinary research institutions, Mr Leung praised the institution for its achievements in scientific research and called for more co-operation between Hong Kong and Israel in this respect.
"We enjoy the free flow of capital, robust intellectual rights protection, the common law system, the popular use of English, and a strong commitment to a level playing field for all businesses," he said. "We can help by turning Israeli research into results, and innovation ideas into products and profits."
Mr Leung will later visit two technology start-up companies, Tel Aviv University, and open the Hong Kong Trade Development Council's Tel Aviv Consultant Office.