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DITS promotes HKSAR IT strategy in e-ASEAN Government Congress
28 - 11 - 2001
Hong Kong has made great strides in building the necessary infrastructure
and putting in place the right environment for a buoyant e-culture
following the implementation of the "Digital 21" information
technology (IT) strategy.
The Director of Information Technology Services, Mr Alan Wong
Chi-kong, said this at the e-ASEAN Government Congress held
in Bangkok, Thailand, today (November 28).
IT leaders in government bodies from the Association of South-East
Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries attended the congress to discuss
IT policies and best practices.
With topics covering all aspects of e-government, the congress
aims to raise the efficiency and excellence in both management
and administrative issues of IT for the government.
Mr Wong told the congress participants that the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region Government (HKSARG) introduced its first
IT strategy, "Digital 21", in November 1998.
Since then, Hong Kong has made significant progress in developing
as a digital city and has recorded increasing technology deployment
and adoption.
Citing a few examples, Mr Wong said, "Our mobile penetration
rate at over 80 per cent is among the highest in the world.
Our broadband network covers all commercial buildings and over
95 per cent of our households. Our Internet penetration rate
at around 50 per cent is among the highest in Asia."
"Besides, we have a very high utilisation rate of smart card
technology with more than seven million in the market for a
population of around the same number."
To ride on the next wave of the e-revolution, the HKSARG revised
the strategy and promulgated in May this year the "2001 Digital
21 Strategy: Connecting the World" which builds on Hong Kong's
early success in establishing a solid foundation for leveraging
IT to further promote the development of Hong Kong's information
economy.
"We will continue to enhance our world class e-business infrastructure.
This includes telecommunications infrastructure, regulations
and legislation, public key infrastructure and certification
authorities," said Mr Wong.
"In addition, we will continue to encourage the adoption of
e-business in the business community and the industry.
"We will organise awareness seminars and exhibitions targeting
businesses on a sector specific basis, and will also actively
promote the use of IT applications in small and medium-sized
enterprises which make up more than 95 per cent of the enterprises
in Hong Kong," he said.
As to the Cyberport, Hong Kong's IT flagship project, Mr Wong
noted that its construction works progressed quickly to phased
completion between early 2002 and end 2003. The Cyberport infrastructure
will support and facilitate e-business in all directions.
The HKSARG is committed to leading by example in the use of
e-business, both in conducting internal business operations
and in delivering public services.
"We have set up a dedicated E-government Co-ordination Office
to drive and co-ordinate e-government initiatives," said Mr
Wong, adding that the HKSARG had also set the target of providing
e-option for 90 per cent of public services amenable to the
electronic mode of service delivery by end 2003.
Additionally, the HKSAR has launched the award-winning Electronic
Service Delivery (ESD) scheme through which members of the public
can obtain a wide variety of public services through the Internet
and public information kiosks 24 hours a day and seven days
a week.
Apart from continuing to roll out more new ESD applications,
the HKSARG has developed one of the world's first web-based
electronic tendering system, which enables it to issue tenders
and receive bids securely via the Internet, further demonstrating
its dedication to promote the adoption of e-business.
To enhance the IT awareness and knowledge of the Hong Kong community,
Mr Wong pointed out that the HKSARG had significantly improved
the accessibility to the Internet and IT facilities by providing
free public computer facilities at community halls/centres,
public libraries, post offices, etc.
IT training and awareness programmes as well as IT promotional
activities are also provided to encourage the community, including
the senior citizens, housewives and people with disabilities,
to use IT.
- ENDS -
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