Hong Kong Chief Executive Opens Thin Film Photovoltaic R&D Centre

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March 20, 2009 - Hong Kong Chief Executive, Mr. Donald Tsang, officiated at the opening ceremony of the DuPont Apollo Global Thin Film Photovoltaic Business Headquarters and Research and Development (R&D) Centre and the Hong Kong Science Park Solar Energy Technology Support Centre at Hong Kong Science Park today.

The center is part of the first major technology co-operation project of the “Shenzhen Hong Kong Innovation Circle” under the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Shenzhen Municipal Government in collaboration with DuPont. The purpose of the center is to establish a Solar Energy Research and Industrial Platform.

Mr. Tsang welcomed the reiteration of the commitment by DuPont to enter into a joint venture with a local partner to develop the thin film photovoltaic business of DuPont Apollo.

After the ceremony, Mr. Tsang, toured the center to see the advanced facilities in the R&D laboratory and pilot line. He was briefed by the technical staff on the manufacturing process of the thin film photovoltaic modules in the research and development works.

Joining the tour were the Mayor of the Shenzhen Municipal Government, Mr. Xu Zongheng; Chairman, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, Mr. Nicholas Brooke; Chairman of the Board, DuPont, Mr. Charles Holliday; and Chief Executive Officer, DuPont Apollo, Dr. David Chu.

Also officiating at today’s ceremony were Hong Kong Financial Secretary, Mr. John C. Tsang; Hong Kong Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mrs. Rita Lau; Hong Kong Secretary for the Environment, Mr. Edward Yau; Secretary-General of the Shenzhen Municipal Government, Mr. Li Ping; Deputy Secretary-General of the Shenzhen Municipal Government, Mr. Gao Guohui; Science and Technology Adviser to the Mayor of Shenzhen Municipal Government, Professor Liu Yingli; Executive Vice-President and Chief Innovation Officer, DuPont, Dr. Thomas M Connelly; and Corporate Vice-President and President - DuPont Greater China, Dr. Douglas W Muzyka.