Provision of public services by Electronic Service Delivery
June 30, 1998
The Government is examining the feasibility of introducing on-line delivery of public services on a common, open information infrastructure - known as Electronic Service Delivery (ESD) - within the territory.
This follows the pledge made by the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, in his Policy Address last October to make Hong Kong a leader in the information world of tomorrow.
A spokesman for the Information Technology and Broadcasting Bureau (ITBB) explained today (Tuesday) that with ESD, the public would be able to transact business with the Government on-line and on a seamless basis.
The aim is to provide public services to the community 24 hours a day, seven days a week through a wide range of electronic communication devices, such as personal computers, interactive telephone or TV, or information kiosks in public places.
"In short, ESD can transform the way that Government operates," he said. "While it will not completely replace the conventional form of providing services to the public over the counter, it will offer an efficient and effective alternative means for their delivery."
The types of services or transactions which are to be covered initially could include:
- changing clients' particulars, e.g. address
- booking services and appointments
- acquiring documents and services
- making payments
- obtaining information
- submitting applications and returns, providing feedback, e.g. complaints, suggestions, etc.
- monitoring progress, e.g. the status of an application
The spokesman said ESD would be implemented progressively by phases and the aim is to roll out the first phase in 2000. "We anticipate that ESD should be developed using an open and scalable architecture which the private sector can make use of for conducting commercial electronic transactions at a later stage. This will help promote the development of e-commerce in Hong Kong," he added.
The Government intends to contract a private operator for implementing and providing ESD services. Submissions of expression of interest on the provision of ESD are now being invited.
Invitations have been sent to management consultants, IT consultants and system integrators registered with the Government, major Government IT suppliers, and to chambers of commerce for distribution to their members, as well as to consulates and trade commissions for distribution to their home companies which may have an interest in the project. Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices overseas will also assist in forwarding the invitations to their interlocutors.
The invitation document, which contains detailed information, can be obtained from the offices of ITBB and Information Technology Services Department (ITSD). It can also be downloaded from the Internet web sites of:
- ITBB (http://www.info.gov.hk/itbb);
- ITSD (http://www.info.gov.hk/itsd/index.htm); and
- Government Supplies Department (http://www.info.gov.hk/gsd/index.htm).
All expressions of interest should be sent to the following address by letter or by fax (No. 2511 1458) on or before August 15:
Principal Assistant Secretary for Information
Technology and Broadcasting (C)
Information Technology and Broadcasting Bureau
second floor, Murray Building
Garden Road
Hong Kong
Submissions can also be made by electronic mail (e-mail address: itbbenq@itbb.gcn.gov.hk).
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