Roving exhibitions to publicise ESD

June 27, 1999

Members of the public will gain hands-on experience of the Electronic Service Delivery (ESD) scheme in a series of roving exhibitions, the first of which will be launched at the Central MTR Station tomorrow (Monday).

The roving exhibitions are part of a series of community-oriented activities of the Cyber Week '99, held between June 24 and 30, with the aim to enhance public understanding of the potentials and capabilities of information technology.

A total of seven roving exhibitions will be held at selected MTR stations and shopping centres. Details are :

- Central MTR Station	28 to 29 June
- Admiralty MTR Station	30 June to 1 July
- Maritime Square shopping centre	2 to 5 July
- Telford Plaza II shopping centre	6 to 12 July
- Heng Fa Chuen shopping centre	13 to 18 July
- Hong Kong MTR Station	19 to 23 July
- Choi Hung MTR Station	1 to 2 August

Visitors to the exhibitions can try out simulations of services to be offered under the ESD, which promises delivery of public services in a seamless manner round the clock through the Internet and other electronic means.

A spokesman for the Information Technology and Broadcasting Bureau said today (Sunday) that the Government would launch the first phase of the ESD scheme in the latter half of 2000. "A wide range of services provided by 10 Government departments and public agencies will be covered under this first phase of implementation," he noted.

Examples of ESD services are:

• submission of simple tax returns and tax payment
  
• renewal of driving and vehicle licence
  
• application for business registration certificates
  
• guides on investment in Hong Kong and advice on business licensing requirements
  
• payment of rates, Government rent and water charges
  
• job search and matching service

Subsequent phases will be implemented on an on-going basis. In the long run, the Government aims to include all public services which are amenable to the electronic mode of delivery under the ESD scheme, the spokesman added.

At the launching of the ESD roving exhibitions tomorrow, the Government will, in conjunction with the industry, also launch the "Universal Free Electronic Mail Service Scheme" to popularise the use of electronic mail in the community.

Fifteen companies have joined the scheme to offer free electronic mail accounts for use by all members of the public. The number of e-mail accounts sponsored by individual participants under the scheme ranges from 10 000 to unlimited. "We are delighted by the overwhelming response of the industry to this scheme. Coupled with the availability of more public computer facilities and other promotional efforts, such as the e-community ambassador, the "Universal Free Electronic Mail Service Scheme" will help to bring IT within the reach of every walk of life," the spokesman said. The scheme is also endorsed by the Hong Kong Internet Service Providers Association.

The spokesman said, "Through the Interactive Government Services Directory web site ( http:// www.igsd.gov.hk ), members of the public will be able to access the web sites of the participating organisations under the scheme to apply for free electronic mail service.

"The public are free to choose from the participating organisations and subscribe to their e-mail services."

Information on the Cyber Week '99 activities is available on the ITBB web page, http://www.info.gov.hk/itbb.

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