Newly launched HongKong-SV.com fosters closer IT link

October 28, 1999

The first organization set up specifically to foster closer link between the IT sectors of Hong Kong and the Silicon Valley has been launched in Silicon Valley, California.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the HongKong-Silicon Valley High Tech Community (HK-SV.com) via video conferencing today (Thursday), the Secretary for Information Technology and Broadcasting, Mr K C Kwong, said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government fully supported the goals of the organization which are to provide awareness, stimulate collaboration and facilitate networking in high-tech activities and business opportunities between the two places.

"I am glad to say that the setting up of the HK-SV.com has met with enthusiasm here in Hong Kong. Quite a number of companies which we have approached have expressed an interest in joining the community," he noted.

Mr Kwong told the US audience that shortly after the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in 1997, the Government had set forth a vision on making Hong Kong a leader, and not a follower, in the information world of tomorrow.

"To achieve that vision, we have worked out the Digital 21 Information Technology Strategy, with the mission of enhancing and promoting Hong Kong's information infrastructure and services so as to make Hong Kong a leading digital city in the globally connected world of the 21st century," he stated.

In this respect, the SAR Government has embarked on a comprehensive package of initiatives under that strategy. The key ones include -

* the progressive liberalization of the telecommunications market to encourage investment in both local and external capacities and services;

* the liberalization of the broadcasting market to encourage the introduction of diverse and innovative content services;

* the creation of a pro-business and facilitative legal environment to encourage the development of electronic commerce;

* the extensive use of IT in education to ensure that our people are skilled in the use of IT; and

* the implementation of a series of public educational activities to change people's attitudes so that the community will as a whole embrace IT.

Mr Kwong said the Government had also worked hard to strengthen bilateral ties between Hong Kong and other communities which were advanced in IT.

"It is therefore most encouraging for us to see the positive response which our Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, received from you during his visit to the Silicon Valley earlier this year.

"And, consistent with the entrepreneurial spirit and speed of action for which you are so famous, we see your response being turned into a tangible form with the setting up of the HK-SV High Tech Community," he added.

Also attending the video conferencing today were representatives from local IT companies interested in joining the community, and industrial support bodies such as the Hong Kong Productivity Council and the Federation of Hong Kong Industries.

The HK-SV.com, a non-profit-making organization, is founded by several prominent high-tech executives in Silicon Valley and Hong Kong to provide a focused forum for high tech professionals interested in business development and networking opportunities between the two places.

The organization schedules to lead a member delegation to Hong Kong in March next year to attend the TechWorld 2000 Expo and to sponsor a Hong Kong member delegation to Silicon Valley in June 2000 to take part in a two-day professional development workshop designed to give a quick taste of the "Silicon Valley Experience".

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