Qianhai issues measures to support innovation

Qianhai Authority on Wednesday issued a series of measures to support scientific and technological innovation, Shenzhen Special Zone Daily reported Thursday.

The measures were aimed to promote the cross-border integration of Shenzhen Hong Kong-Macao innovation elements, improve the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Macao scientific and technological cooperation, accelerate the development of the digital economy and create a highland of marine scientific and technological innovation, the report said.

The measures apply to legal persons or unincorporated organizations engaged in strategic emerging industries, information service industry, science and technology service industry and individuals working in the above-mentioned institutions.

In principle, the subsidies each institution or individual receives each year shall not exceed 10 million yuan (US$1.48 million) and 2 million yuan, respectively.

The measures came into effect Aug. 6 and will be valid for three years.

Qianhai Authority will support the construction of joint laboratories between the world’s top 500 enterprises and national innovation carriers or important international laboratories, and support 50% of the actual investment in operation, which shall not exceed 5 million yuan, for qualified joint laboratories.

The authority will support the establishment of social organizations in Qianhai to promote scientific and technological innovation cooperation among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. The government will support the launching of international scientific and technological organizations and provide a one-time support of 300,000 yuan to those who meet the requirements.

At the same time, it will support major international scientific and technological exchange activities by providing 30% of the actual costs of the activities, capped at 2 million yuan.

Newly settled high-quality digital economy enterprises that meet the requirements will get support of up to 2 million yuan.

At the same time, the government will encourage the creation of digital economy demonstration projects and digital technology products and provide up to 500,000 yuan of support to qualified smart parks based on 30% of its service fees of technical products.

According to the measures, high-end marine scientific research institutions can obtain a one-time support of 2 million yuan for setting up entities in Qianhai.

For marine science and technology enterprises that have invested over 10 million yuan in research and development in the previous year, the government will give a subsidy worth 3% of the research and development investment, which will not exceed 500,000 yuan.