Deloitte to hold first Greater Bay Area Innovation Camp in 2022

Deloitte China will organize the first Greater Bay Area (GBA) Innovation Camp on 26-30 May 2022 in Shenzhen. Rotating among the 11 GBA cities, the annual program aims to develop innovative solutions for the GBA's key development areas, build a top talent platform in the region, and establish a socially influential framework for government-enterprise cooperation. 

As organizer of the GBA Innovation Camp, Deloitte China is joining forces with the following supporting government organizations: the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Office of Shenzhen Municipality (Municipal Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office), the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the Guangzhou Municipal Government, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development Office of the Hong Kong SAR Government, and the Economic and Technological Development Bureau of the Macao SAR Government; and co-organizer the China Resources Research Institute of Science and Technology. Other supporting organizations include key enterprises in the region: the Shenzhen Public Companies Association; Shenzhen Women's Finance Professional Association; Zhongnanshan Medical Foundation of Guangdong Province; Guangdong Finance and Accounting Society of State-Owned Assets; Guangzhou Yuexiu Holdings Limited; the Federation of Hong Kong Industries; Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation; the Industry and Commerce Association of Macau; and Association of Women Accountants Hong Kong. 

"The GBA Innovation Camp is our flagship initiative to support GBA development and boost talent integration across the region, with a view to furthering GBA development under China's national strategy. It brings together think tanks and resources to promote exchange and collaboration among talent from the 11 GBA cities in finance, innovation and technology, and professional services," says Deloitte China CEO Patrick Tsang. "Through diverse, innovative program activities, we will foster talent to drive the GBA's key development objectives, nurture future leaders, and empower the advancement of the GBA." 

Deloitte China CEO Patrick Tsang

"Deloitte has been actively participating in the GBA initiative and contributing to China's overall development during the 14th Five-Year Plan period," adds Deloitte China Chairman Dennis Chow. "After the announcement of our three new strategic initiatives in the GBA last month, we are pleased to launch the GBA Innovation Camp with governments and key enterprises in the region, offering an important platform for regional exchange and collaboration for governments, businesses, and talent."

Deloitte China Chairman Dennis Chow

Dr Sunny Chai, Chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries says, "Our research last year estimated that there are about 14,000 Hong Kong-invested manufacturers operating in the GBA, forming a critical mass with significant influence on the economic and industrial development of the region. The Federation is honored to support Deloitte China in hosting the GBA Innovation Camp, which allows enterprises to tap into valuable resources and opportunities in the region and ride on the respective competitive edges of 9+2 cities and talents. We believe that this program will empower companies to contribute to the advancement of high-tech industries and integrated development within the GBA."

Peter Mok, Head of Greater Bay Area of HKSTP says, "With the GBA’s clear advantages for rapid and impactful I&T development, combined with world-class scientific research and advanced manufacturing capabilities, critical high-potential talent will boost enterprises in capturing the abundant opportunities arising from the 14th Five-Year Plan. Through the expert guidance and talent exchange between HKSTP and leading companies, this camp will provide effective solutions to ultimately raise the GBA’s competitiveness and create broader opportunities for talent in Hong Kong and GBA."

"The GBA plays a significant strategic role in the overall development of the country," says Kevin Ho, President of the Industry and Commerce Association of Macau. "The GBA Innovation Camp offers a valuable opportunity for business leaders and experts from the nine cities and two SARs to gather together for high-level dialogue and intellectual exchange. Apart from enhancing mutual understanding and facilitating network building, the program can also help the SAR better integrate into the development of the country and support the goals in the outline development plan." 

The program comprises various activities including company visits and collaborative workshops. Based on a series of topics surrounding the GBA's future development, such as life sciences, digital transformation and infrastructure, participants will form groups to discuss and devise feasible solutions under the guidance of scholars and coaches. They will then present their work to the judging panel, with all innovative solutions consolidated and shared with the governments of the 11 GBA cities for reference and study. 

"Advancing GBA development requires the collaborative effort of governments, businesses, and talent across the region," says Deloitte China Southern Region Managing Partner Edward Au. "By blending an innovative CXO facilitation model with professionally curated activities, the program enables a vast range of stakeholders to work together and present innovative, practical solutions for further development of the GBA based on their diverse expertise, experience, and perspectives."

Deloitte China Southern Region Managing Partner Edward Au

Deloitte China Macao SAR Managing Partner Sidney Cheng adds, "One of the major goals of our GBA Innovation Camp is to build an impactful framework for government-enterprise cooperation. By working closely with city governments, we can deliver a program that prioritizes and aligns with the GBA's strategic development directions. We look forward to seeing talent from across the region joining us and grasping this opportunity to help shape the GBA's future."

From left to right: Deloitte China Director Carmen Lei, President of the Industry and Commerce Association of Macau Kevin Ho, Director of the Economic and Technological Development Bureau of the Macao SAR Government Tai Kin Ip, Deloitte China Macao SAR Managing Partner Sidney Cheng  

The GBA Innovation Camp welcomes applications from representatives of companies from the 11 GBA cities that are committed to furthering GBA development and have investments and operations in the GBA's key development areas. Applicants should be future leaders of their companies and aged between 35 and 50. The program is now open for applications and the deadline for enrolment is 31 December 2021. For more details and how to enroll, visit here (available in Chinese only).