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During the middle stages, suppliers need access to testing 1.3 Mechanisms to facilitate the import and
grounds for end-users to give them feedback for product export of gerontech products and services
enhancement; testing grounds can also test how effective
products are in helping end-users. In the future, we recommend Due to Hong Kong’s limited gerontech market size, many local
that the GT Platform’s testing grounds allow for relevant suppliers desire to expand into the emerging Greater Bay
parties to conduct both gerontech product evaluation and Area (GBA) market. Yet, many struggle with learning how to
enhancement. Also, to enable suppliers to further obtain do this. To this extent, we recommend that the GT Platform
post-procurement feedback on their products following their help local start-ups to conduct site visits and product
market release, we recommend that the GT Platform add a trials at service units in the GBA. We also recommend
comment function to their existing Product List. the Central Government to explore the option of having
approved products from the Social Welfare Department’s
Innovation and Technology Fund for Application in Elderly
1.2 Specific support structures for start-ups
and Rehabilitation Care ($1 billion I&T Fund) Reference List
Generally, start-ups need more support than large corporations allowed for direct use in GBA service units.
because of their comparatively limited access to financial and
human resources. Many gerontech start-ups face the additional Our small market size also means that many foreign companies
hurdle as they struggle to access end-users. To this end, we are reluctant to import and localise their products. To overcome
recommend that the GT Platform set up an Elderly, PwD & this, we recommend the GT Platform to collaborate with
Caregiver Advisory Panel, consisting of end-users who InvestHK to create strategic partnerships with international
can readily provide feedback to start-ups. Many gerontech gerontech organisations and platforms. Furthermore, we
start-ups also struggle to understand user needs and the recommend that GT Platform and InvestHK collaborate to
regulatory requirements of the elderly and rehabilitation services create a gerontech “Regulation & Localisation Consultancy”,
sector. As such, we recommend the GT Platform to provide a which would help overseas companies understand gerontech-
specific training course for start-ups that explain user needs related standards and cultural practices in Hong Kong, as well as
in relation to ageing, disability, and rehabilitation, as well as the provide local gerontech companies with information on overseas
operational context and regulatory requirements of the elderly gerontech standards and cultural practices.
and rehabilitation services sector.

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