Relevant press releases

Photo 1: (From left) Mr Voravee PLOOKCHAROEN (Will), COO of Spark, Mr Chaturont CHAIYAKAM, Consul-General of Thailand in Hong Kong, Mr Paul CHAN Mo-po, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong SAR Government, Ms Clara Chan, CEO of the HKIC and Mr Vincent YIP Shiu-hong, CEO of Spark, attended the kick-off ceremony for ecosystem partnership.

Highlights:

• The HKIC unveils its first announcement of overseas initiative, with a focus on supporting Hong Kong's e-mobility green technology expansion abroad. The collaboration seeks to develop application scenarios and replicable models, thereby strengthening Hong Kong's leading position in the green tech industry in Southeast Asia.
• With the support of the HKIC, a large-scale pilot project featuring Hong Kong-based green technology is being launched in Thailand by Spark, focusing on enhancing the country's EV charging network by establishing a total of 1,000 charging stations within five years.

(Hong Kong, August 22) The Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited (HKIC) announced the commencement of an ecosystem partnership for e-mobility applications today, in which the inaugural pilot project involves extending Hong Kong's green transport technologies and solutions to Thailand via Spark EV Co., Ltd. (Spark). This marks the HKIC’s first announced overseas initiative. Upon the gradual implementation of the pilot project in Thailand, Hong Kong's EV charging solutions are anticipated to serve as a role model in the Southeast Asia region.

With the support of the HKIC, Spark will extend Hong Kong’s e-mobility technologies and practices to overseas markets. Through the pilot project with Bangchak Corporation Public Company Limited (BCP), the collaboration aims to establish over 1,000 EV charging stations within five years to enhance Thailand’s EV charging network in response to its rapidly growing EV market. In addition, Spark will accelerate the holistic development of strategic technologies while seeking investment and collaboration opportunities in Southeast Asia countries. This integrated approach will bridge the green tech ecosystem between Hong Kong and the Southeast Asia region, with a vision of contributing to regional green transformation.

The kick-off ceremony for ecosystem partnership was co-hosted by Mr Paul CHAN Mo-po, the Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong SAR Government; Mr Chaturont CHAIYAKAM, the Consul-General of Thailand in Hong Kong; Ms Clara CHAN, CEO of the HKIC; Mr Vincent YIP Shiu-hong, CEO of Spark, and Mr Voravee PLOOKCHAROEN, COO of Spark.

Mr Paul CHAN, the Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong SAR Government, remarked, “We are committed to developing Hong Kong into an international green tech and green finance centre. By supporting R&D and investment-driven initiatives, we are keen on seizing the opportunities presented by green transformation. Our goal is to promote the development and application of green tech, thereby enhancing the growth of Hong Kong's innovation and technology ecosystem. This ecosystem partnership between the HKIC and Spark exemplified our efforts. It allows Hong Kong to leverage its strengths in green tech and its strategic position within the Belt and Road Initiative, contributing to global sustainable development through regional cooperation. Meanwhile, this partnership has also opened up new avenues for business and development.”

Mr Chaturont CHAIYAKAM, Consul-General of Thailand in Hong Kong, said, “This partnership truly marks a significant milestone in Thailand – Hong Kong economic relations, as it symbolizes a testament of our continued efforts to transform our friendship into a solid partnership for common prosperity. Thailand sees tremendous growth potential in its green transport industry. Together with Hong Kong’s knowledge and experience in green transport technologies and EV charging solutions, I believe there is a lot more potential cooperation between our two sides to explore, which will pave the way for further development in the region’s green transition and benefit our peoples and the future generations. This partnership is the beginning of our long journey towards a green future. I look forward to seeing more green collaborations between Thailand and Hong Kong in the future.”

Ms Clara CHAN, CEO of the HKIC, stated, “Further to the HKIC’s strategic and ecosystem collaboration regarding themes on Hard and Core Technology and Biotech, we are focusing on the theme of Green Technology this time, which is also our first announced overseas investment initiative. We support Spark in bringing Hong Kong’s green technology abroad. We facilitate R&D and project implementation, and establish favorable conditions and replicable cases for overseas application, by way of the channeling force of investment and connection with clients as well as application scenarios. Future investee companies of the HKIC will also benefit from these networks and experience for opening up overseas markets, and fostering a robust I&T ecosystem and industrial chain in the Southeast Asia region.”

Mr Vincent YIP Shiu-hong, CEO of Spark, highlighted in the thematic introduction, “The development of EV in Thailand is currently flourishing. The government is proactively supporting companies with mature technologies and solutions to collaborate in Thailand projects to promote the development of green tech in the country. Hong Kong companies possess five major advantages in the EV charging ecosystem, including support from the cities in Greater Bay Area in advanced hardware R&D and manufacturing, user-friendly consumer platform, reliable operating system, skilled professionals, and large-scale consumer data analytics. I believe the cooperation will enhance Hong Kong’s technical experience and overall soft power, in addition to setting a benchmark for green tech cooperation.”

Spark has already announced its long-term business collaboration agreement with BCP, a leading energy company in Thailand, under which Spark will install, operate and maintain a nationwide network of 1,000 EV charging stations across Thailand in the coming five years, with 250 EV charging facilities to be completed by mid-2025 in the first phase.

Photo 2: Spark has already announced its long-term business collaboration agreement with BCP, a leading energy company in Thailand, under which Spark will install, operate and maintain a nationwide network of 1,000 EV charging stations across Thailand in the coming five years.

At least three EV charging stations in Thailand have already begun operating. Looking ahead, the HKIC and Spark will join hands to foster the overseas expansion of Hong Kong’s technological strengths and innovative capabilities, enhancing in-depth collaboration in green tech with other economies in the Southeast Asia region. Such initiatives will position Hong Kong as a leader in the global green e-mobility realm and help construct a vibrant green tech ecosystem in Southeast Asia, contributing to the world's green and sustainable development.

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About HKIC

The Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited (HKIC) was established and is wholly owned by the Hong Kong SAR Government. It carries a “dual mission” - seeking reasonable financial return in the medium to long term through optimizing the use of fiscal reserves, and leveraging its ability to guide and channel capital to build a more vibrant innovation and technology ecosystem and industry chain.

The HKIC manages HK$62 billion currently, covering the “Hong Kong Growth Portfolio”, “Greater Bay Area Investment Fund”, “Strategic Tech Fund” and “Co-Investment Fund”. As “patient capital”, the HKIC is focusing on three key sectors, namely Hard and Core Technology, Biotech, and New Energy/ Green Technology.

About Spark

Spark EV Co., Ltd. is a Thailand-based EV charging solutions company that focuses on the research, development, installation, and operation of advanced charging infrastructure. Spark’s goal is to meet the fast, convenient, and reliable charging needs of EV drivers in Thailand. Spark is committed to providing high-quality charging services and emphasizes cooperation with enterprises and government departments. Spark actively promotes the development of green technologies and pays close attention to innovation and sustainable development. Additionally, Spark participates in the R&D of new technologies and explores opportunities in the Southeast Asian carbon credit market to advance the green transportation industry in Thailand.