Interactive Government Services Directory

March 9, 1999

Employment services, road traffic information, investment services and other information on public services will be at finger tips when an innovative project - the Interactive Government Services Directory (IGSD) - is officially launched this Thursday.

Through IGSD (web site - http://www.igsd.gov.hk ), the public will be able to obtain selected government services and information on public services over the Internet in an interactive manner.

The new service will offer a web-enabled directory of telephone numbers and web site addresses for public services. The public can also access selected interactive services provided by Industry Department, Labour Department and Transport Department. The implementation of IGSD was carried out with the technical support of Microsoft HK Ltd.

A spokesman for the Information Technology and Broadcasting Bureau said that the implementation of the innovative project was part of Government's efforts in promoting the wider use of IT in the community and the adoption of electronic transactions in Hong Kong under the "Digital 21" Information Technology Strategy.

He said, "The telephone and web site directory on public services provides a user-friendly directory which categorizes public services by their nature, rather than by department."

"It also provides hyperlinks to the homepages of Government bureaux/departments and public agencies for detailed information on specific types of public services."

Through the new service, road users can obtain on-line video images of traffic conditions on major routes; information on major road closure and on public transport services to and from the airport.

The Industry Department will through the same system provide investors with information about making investment in Hong Kong; present personalised information to investors; and notify individual investors via e-mail as and when new information of interest to them has been put on the Department's homepage.

As for the interactive employment service of the Labour Department, it will allow job seekers to search for job vacancies registered with the Department based on specified search criteria. Similarly, employers will be able to search for potential candidates registered with the Department based on specified search criteria. Employers can also submit vacancies to the Department through the Internet.

Apart from personal computers with Internet connection, members of the public can access IGSD through computers for public use in selected District Offices and public libraries.

Other access points include selected Telecom CSL Shops and Pacific Coffee Company cybercafes; the New World Telephone PowerPhone Services (telephone directory on public services only and commencing from May 1999); Hongkong Telecom NETVIGATOR homepage and the HutchCity Internet service from Hutchison Telecom.

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