Quality Alchemist (品質煉金術師): HKCTC Seminar on Supports to the Testing & Certification Industry

The Seminar on Supports to the Testing and Certification Industry was co-organized by the Hong Kong Council for Testing and Certification (HKCTC), Hong Kong Accreditation Service (HKAS), Product Standards Information Bureau (PSIB) - Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) and Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks (HKSTP) on 4 December 2013. Hong Kong Society for Quality (HKSQ) was one of supporting organizations.

Before the seminar, I meet a HKSQ member (Mr. Ching-Yu Chan) and we took a photo in front of the hall for memory.

In the beginning, Prof. Ching Pak-chung (Chairman, HKCTC) gave an welcome remarks. Moreover, he gave his talk named "HKCTC's Work Ahead" to introduced the future direction of HKCTC to promote the testing and certification (T&C) industry.

Prof. Ching briefed the development of T&C industry from 2009 to 2011 and reported the work progress upto Now. Most suggests of the HKCTC report 2010 had been performed (See HKCTC Report Summary (Testing & Certification)). Moreover, a survey to T&C industry about the support by HKCTC was performed in 2012. The positive results were obtained as following diagram. Finally, Prof. Ching concluded HKCTC would continue the existing operation model and enhance holistic development strategies included improvement of industry competence and increase of business opportunities.

Group photo

The second speaker was Mr. Frank Tsang (Assistant Commissioner for Innovation and Technology (Funding Schemes)) and his presentation entitled “Funding Schemes under the Innovation and Technology Commission”.

Mr. Tsang introduced three funding scheme named "Innovation and Technology Support Programme (ITSP)", "Small Entrepreneur Research Assistance Programme (SERAP)" and "Research and Development Cash Rebate Scheme (CRS)".
ITSP supports mid-stream/downstream R&D projects mainly undertaken by local universities, the five R&D Centre and other designated local public research institutions. ITSP separated into two categories of projects that was Platform Projects and Collaborative Projects.
SERAP supports private companies in conducting in-house R&D activities. It aims to encourage SMEs (less than 100 employees in HK) to undertake projects that have innovative & technological content and commercial viability.
CRS provides 30% cash rebate on investment in applied R&D projects such as ITF projects and Partnership projects. (For more details: www.itf.gov.hk )

The third speaker was Ms. Susanna Suen (Principle Trade Officer, Industries Liaison Branch, Trade and Industry Department) and her presentation was “Trade and Industry Department's Support Measures for SMEs”. Ms. Suen introduced the government policy on SMEs.

She mentioned three SME funding included "SME Loan Guarantee Scheme (SGS)", "SME Export Marketing Fund (EMF)", and "SME Development Fund (SDF)". (For more details: www.smefund.tid.gov.hk ) Moreover, the recently Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales (BUD Fund) was also mentioned. (For more details: http://www.tid.gov.hk/english/smes_industry/bud/bud.html )
The following diagram showed EMF industry distribution.

The forth speaker was Ms. Rachel Lee (Manager, Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance Corporation) and her topic entitled "Testing and Inspection Services Policy".

The export credit insurance process map was described. It included business risk and country risk. Then Ms. Lee explained the four main function of credit insurance included Risk Guarantee, Credit Management, Accounts Receivable Management and Trade Financing.

The following diagram showed how to use credit insurance for trade financing. (For more details: www.hkecic.com )

The fifth speaker was Ms. Monita Wong (Manager (Product Standards), PSIB, ITC) and her presentation named "Information and Services on Product Standards". She introduced the services of PSIB included library, standard procurement, technical inquiry, participating ISO and technical barrier to trade agreement, etc.

Ms. Bella Ho (Senior Accreditation Officer, HKAS) was the last speaker and her presentation entitled “HKAS: A Briefing on its Latest Development and New Services”. Firstly, Bella introduced the history of HKAS and their service scope.

Improvements to Accreditation Service under HKCTC report was discussed. Staff increased from 29 to 40 (+38%). Appointed assessors / technical experts increased from 371 to 559 (+50%). Moreover, accredited organizations increased from 204 to 245 (+20% increase from Apr 2010). The new and extended scope of accreditation service under HOKLAS was shown as following diagram.