Third round of Electronic Service Delivery scheme roving show
16 - 08 - 2000

Members of the public will be able to understand more about the benefits and convenience to be brought about by the Electronic Service Delivery (ESD) scheme with the launch of the third round of the ESD roving show which can be seen at various shopping centres in housing estates starting from tomorrow (August 17).

Jointly organised by the Information Technology and Broadcasting Bureau and the Information Technology Services Department, the continuing aim of the roving show is to introduce and promote the ESD scheme, one of the major initiatives under the "Digital 21" Information Technology (IT) Strategy of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, to the public.

Through the ESD scheme, the first phase of which is due to be launched in October this year, public services will be delivered through the Internet and other electronic means 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

More than 10 government departments and public agencies have already joined the ESD scheme and, following its implementation, members of the public will be able to pay taxes, renew driving and vehicle licences, seek job vacancy information, register as voters, make appointments for identity card registration and many other services, at home, in the office or other places through the use of personal computers with Internet connection.

Furthermore, computer facilities at district offices, community halls, public libraries, post offices, and 100 conveniently located public information kiosks will be available for public use.

This third roving show will be staged at a number of shopping centres in public housing estates in Wang Tau Hom, Lam Tin, Tsing Yi, Tseung Kwan O, Siu Sai Wan and Ap Lei Chau respectively between August 17 and September 19.

At the roving show, information kiosks will be set up at which explanations and simulations of some of the services to be provided will be available in order that members of the public can experience the convenience and ease of use offered by the ESD scheme.

As well as using display panels, a video will be presented to introduce the general concept of the ESD scheme, and leaflets describing the scheme will also be distributed.

The schedule of the roving show is as follows:

- 10 am to 8 pm on 17-20 August at 2/F, Phase I, Exhibition Hall B, Lok Fu Shopping Centre, Wang Tau Hom, Kowloon;

- 10 am to 8 pm on 22-25 August at 2/F, Kai Tin Shopping Centre, Kai Tin Estate, Lam Tin, Kowloon;

- 10 am to 8 pm on 31 August to 3 September at 2/F, Cheung Fat Shopping Centre, Cheung Fat Estate, Tsing Yi, New Territories;

- 10 am to 8 pm on 5-8 September at G/F, Sheung Tak Shopping Centre, Sheung Tak Estate, Tseung Kwan O, Kowloon;

- 10 am to 8 pm on 11-14 September at G/F, Siu Sai Wan Estate Shopping Centre, Siu Sai Wan, Hong Kong; and

- 10 am to 8 pm on 16-19 September at 1/F, Phase I, Lei Tung Shopping Centre, Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong.

The first round of the roving show was held at seven popular MTR stations and shopping centres between June and August 1999 while the second round was held at six popular shopping arcades between January and February this year. Together, they have attracted more than 37 000 visitors.

Further information on the ESD scheme can be obtained at the web site of the "Digital 21" IT Strategy at <http://www.digital21.gov.hk/eng/ecommerce/esd/esd.html>.

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