A talent development conference was held in Hong Kong today to promote the building of a talent hub in the Greater Bay Area as well as strengthen talent development and co-operation among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau.

Jointly organised by the three places, the Second Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) High-quality Talent Development Conference was part of the Global Talent Summit · Hong Kong.

Officiating at the conference, Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki said in his welcome remarks that under the "one country, two systems" principle, Hong Kong gives full play to the advantages of enjoying the strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world, serving as a talent hub and gateway of both the GBA and the country.

Mr Chan also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on promoting talent services co-operation in the GBA. 

The MOU aimed to implement the national strategic policy of building a talent hub in the GBA through enhancing talent exchanges and co-operation, joint promotions, talent recruitment and campaigns as well as developing a GBA talent services platform together.

The ultimate goal is to create an optimal environment for talent development and bring mutual benefits by talent co-operation in the bay area.

The pact was signed by the Directors of the Human Resources & Social Security Bureaus of the nine municipalities in Guangdong Province, Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE) Director Anthony Lau, and Macao SAR Government Talent Development Committee Secretary-General Chao Chong Hang.

Joining Mr Chan to witness the signing were Guangdong People’s Government Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office Director General Chen Liwen, Guangdong Human Resources & Social Security Department Director-General Du Minqi, Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun, and Macao Special Administrative Region Secretary for Social Affairs & Culture Ao Ieong U.

After the signing, Mr Sun said that as Hong Kong is facing a manpower shortage in various sectors, it is necessary to implement a more proactive, open and effective talent admission policy so as to provide a solid talent backing for society's prosperity.

The labour chief added that the Government will leverage the advantages of enjoying the motherland's strong support and being closely connected to the world with its foothold in the GBA, to reinforce Hong Kong's position as an international talent hub and bring together talent in the bay area for exchanges.

Concluding the two-day Global Talent Summit · Hong Kong, the HKTE said initial statistics showed that the events - yesterday’s International Talent Forum and today’s conference - drew a total of 4,900 attendees, along with over 130,000 views on the live webcast.

The CareerConnect Expo held on both days concurrently attracted over 8,600 attendees, which exceeded expectations.