Data has emerged as a new engine propelling economic growth, and its significance continues to rise. To promote the strategic role of data in the development of the digital economy and societal transformation, and to contribute to the national strategy on data element development, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer and the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Data continue to jointly organise the Hong Kong/Shanghai Co-operation Open Data Challenge 2024 (HSODC 2024) this year. Themed "Co-creating a Data Industry Platform for the Two Cities", the HSODC 2024 encourages participants to develop their projects and innovative solutions under four key areas: Smart Mobility, Smart Living, Smart Environment, and Smart Economy by making use of open datasets from Hong Kong and Shanghai, thereby promoting mutual co-operation between the two cities in the aspect of the digital economy.

     At the kick-off ceremony of the HSODC 2024 held during the Digital Economy Summit 2024, representatives from the innovation and technology (I&T) industry, academia and the Government shared insights on the development and plans of open data collaboration between Hong Kong and Shanghai, with a focus on enhancing co-operation in applying and promoting smart city development. The Grand Award Winner from the previous edition was also invited to the ceremony to share their award-winning project and the benefits of participating in the challenge.

     During the InnoEX, another signature I&T event held during the same period, the organisers of the HSODC 2024 also held the Hong Kong/Shanghai Data Co-operation Forum, and set up the Hong Kong/Shanghai Data Co-operation Pavilion (the Pavilion) to showcase the open data application solutions of the two cities. The forum, themed "Data Flow: Ecology x Compliance x Scenarios", brought together entrepreneurs, scholars, and representatives from I&T companies in Hong Kong and the Mainland to engage in in-depth discussions on the exploration of data commercialisation and turning data into assets within national legal and regulatory frameworks. Close to 30 teams, organisations and companies from Hong Kong and the Mainland showcased their projects at the Pavilion. It provided a valuable opportunity for data scientists, entrepreneurs and policymakers to share their experiences and insights with each other, enabling them to learn about the latest research and developments in open data, and explore the applications and trends of open data in various industries and sectors.
 
     The HSODC 2024 is open for enrollment until May 31. Participating teams will compete for grand prizes in various categories. Successful shortlisted teams will receive technical training in July and have the opportunity to showcase their innovative and unique data technology solutions in front of judges at the grand finale to be held in Shanghai in August. For more details, please visit the website: hkshadata.org.

Ends/Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Issued at HKT 19:43

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