HK expects to sign MOU on IT with Israel soon

April 29, 1999

The Secretary for Information Technology and Broadcasting, Mr K C Kwong, said he hoped to conclude a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Information Technology co-operation with Israel soon.

Addressing a breakfast meeting in honour of the visiting President of the State of Israel, His Excellency Ezer Weizman, today (Thursday), Mr Kwong expressed confidence that closer bilateral co-operation between Israel and Hong Kong in information technology would be mutually beneficial and rewarding.

He said the areas of common interest could include hardware and software products and services, electronic commerce infrastructure and policy, data communications, broadband networks, and multimedia and Internet applications.

"I am glad to say that we have met with an enthusiastic response from the Government of Israel when we raised the proposal through the Israeli Consul-General in Hong Kong.

"And I look forward to the successful conclusion of an MOU between Israel and Hong Kong before too long," he added.

Hong Kong has so far signed MOU on IT co-operation with Canada and Australia, the primary objectives of which are to promote two-way commercial and industrial exchanges, to facilitate the formation of business and technology partnerships, and to encourage the sharing of information and strategy on IT.

"The ultimate goal is to promote technological and economic growth of both parties," Mr Kwong said, adding that since the signature of the two MOU mid-last year, Hong Kong has already seen the successful conclusion of some collaborative ventures.

For example, he said, a major Australian interactive multimedia supplier is partnering with a Hong Kong software company to manufacture multimedia kiosks and phones to meet local demand. Another Australian software company is jointly developing a computerised security system for office and residential buildings with one of Hong Kong's largest security firms. There are also joint-venture projects between Hong Kong and Australian software companies on interactive educational software.

As for Canada, the Hong Kong Government is working closely with the Canadian Government in a study to establish a territory-wide educational intranet in Hong Kong, similar to the Canadian SchoolNet. Some Canadian software firms are co-operating with Hong Kong schools on the development of educational software products customised for local use. Co-operation opportunities in the area of cyber learning are also being explored between Canadian companies and training and tertiary institutions in Hong Kong.

"The success of the two bilateral MOU on IT co-operation has encouraged us to look to extend this network to other countries, including of course, Israel with which we are keen to establish bilateral collaborative relationship," Mr Kwong said.

Mr Kwong also spoke briefly on the development of the Cyberport in Hong Kong which will provide an ultra-modern intelligent building complex, equipped with state-of-the-art telecommunications and information backbones to meet the needs of IT and information services companies.

"The companies we are aiming to attract are primarily companies applying leading edge IT to create applications, solutions and services and also those adopting innovative ideas to create multimedia contents.

"Phase I of the Cyberport will be available for occupation by end 2001/early 2002. I am glad to say that eight leading IT and information services companies have already signed letters of intent to become anchor tenants of the Cyberport.

"We would warmly welcome leading Israeli information technology and services companies to become tenants of the Cyberport as well," Mr Kwong added.

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