Leading by example through E-Government
06 - 06 - 2001

In positioning Hong Kong as a leading e-business community connecting the world, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has made a firm commitment to lead the community by developing a comprehensive electronic government (e-government) policy and strategy.

The Acting Deputy Director of Information Technology Services, Mr Stephen Mak, told a conference on e-government held in Singapore today (June 6) that E-Government formed an important part of the recently announced 2001 Digital 21 Strategy, the blueprint for information technology (IT) development in the HKSAR.

"The 2001 Digital 21 Strategy builds on the solid foundation we have established for leveraging IT to position Hong Kong as a leading e-business community and global digital city," he said.

"Our policy objective for e-government is to improve the quality of services delivered to the public by providing them with customer-oriented and one-stop services on an 'anywhere, anytime' basis," said Mr Mak.

"By prudently adopting e-business solutions and best practices, we can achieve efficiency gains and break down bureaucracy between departments to build up a joined-up government.

"This will also help drive the widespread adoption of e-commerce in the private sector, enhance Hong Kong's ability to sense and respond to global e-commerce opportunities, and realise our motto of 'Connecting The World'," he said.

Mr Mak noted that there are four essential pillars conducive to our readiness for e-government.

"Leadership is essential to the success of e-government," he said. "We have secured top level public services and IT policy support to develop e-government; we will work closely with all government bureaux and departments in developing their e-business strategies in implementing the e-government policy."

"To provide a focussed institutional framework for driving e-government, the Information Technology and Broadcasting Bureau will set up a dedicated E-government Co-ordination Office within 2001 to coordinate and facilitate various e-government initiatives.

"A high level steering and monitoring mechanism to oversee its implementation will also be established.

"To ensure interoperability and achieve economies of scale, the HKSAR Government has also established a comprehensive IT infrastructure," he said.

He cited a few examples: the Government Backbone Network interconnects all departmental networks and central services over a broadband, wide-area communication backbone; the Central Cyber Government Office offers an intranet platform for intra-government electronic services and information dissemination; and the Central Internet Gateway enables government bureaux and departments to gain access to the Internet through a secure and centrally managed system.

Mr Mak said that in the run up to e-government, a number of major initiatives will be taken forward to enhance the Government's applications and infrastructure facilities.

These will complement the Electronic Service Delivery scheme, the Interactive Government Services Directory and the Government Information Centre that have already become very popular portals through which Government conducts e-business with the community.

"The competencies and capabilities of government employees are also essential elements for success in our quest for e-government," said Mr Mak.

"In this regard, we will foster an e-savvy culture and e-enabled workforce within Government by promoting new ways of business operation and new culture in service delivery, providing for e-government as a core element of training courses, and encouraging staff members to receive IT skills training and e-learning," he added.

The HKSAR Government has set some major targets on the provision of e-option for public services that are amenable to the electronic mode of delivery and also in e-procurement by 2003.

To make these happen, Mr Mak said that it was important for us to carry out ongoing technology and e-business best practice surveillance and to adopt interoperable standards and ready-made solutions wherever applicable.

"To ensure maximum take-up rate for e-government services and transactions, it is crucially important that we recognise both internal and external customers and adopt completely customer-led processes," he said.

The E-Government strategy will bring substantial benefits - in enhancing public confidence in conducting electronic transactions, facilitating innovation and investment in the private sector, enabling bureaux and departments to respond to rising public aspirations and in sustaining Hong Kong's position as a vibrant and adaptive economy.

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