IIAC discusses IT developments in HK
September 25, 2001
The Information Infrastructure Advisory Committee (IIAC) met today (September 25) to discuss a variety of issues, including support measures for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and development of the digital entertainment industry in Hong Kong. Members were also briefed on recent E-government development and the pilot IT training programs for students launched during the summer holidays.
Deputy Secretary for Information Technology and Broadcasting, Mr Alan Siu, and two members of the committee - Mr Kenneth Fang, Chairman of the Hong Kong Productivity Council, and Dr Kan Wing-kay, Associate Professor of Computer Science and Engineering of the Chinese University - spoke to the media after the meeting.
On measures to support SMEs, members noted that the SME Committee had submitted to the Chief Executive in June this year a report recommending new support measures for SMEs in six areas, namely, technology application, business environment, financing, corporate governance and culture, human resources, and market expansion.
Mr Fang noted that the SME Committee had recommended the setting up of four funding schemes with a total capital account of $1.3 billion to help SMEs enhance their overall competitiveness.
He said, "The IIAC supported the recommendations of the Committee which are now being considered by relevant Government bureaux and departments. Subject to the funding approval of the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council, the schemes would be launched in early 2002."
The IIAC urged the Government to simplify the procedures for making applications to the funding schemes and the processing of the applications. The IIAC also suggested that a pre-approved list of training courses should be drawn up to facilitate SMEs in applying for funds under the proposed SME Training Fund.
In response to the SME Committee's recommendation that the Government should provide financial support to encourage the IT sector to assist and encourage the use of IT in different sectors, the Working Group on E-Commerce Environment and Technologies Exploitation under the IIAC would examine how to enlist the IT industry organisations to follow up on this recommendation and apply for funds from the future SME Development Fund to support the relevant projects.
On the development of digital entertainment industry in Hong Kong, Mr Fang said the IIAC supported the Government's role as a facilitator and the measures taken to support the development of the industry in the area of infrastructure, human resources development, research and development, intellectual property right protection and provision of market information.
"The IIAC also suggested that a workshop should be held for organisations in the industry, such as computer graphics production houses, to discuss how to further support the development of the industry in Hong Kong, and how SMEs in the industry could make use of the funding schemes proposed by the SME Committee to strengthen themselves," he said. Members were also appraised of the E-government development in Hong Kong. To drive E-government, an E-government Co-ordination Office (EGCO) has been established within the Information Technology and Broadcasting Bureau (ITBB) since August. The focus of the office is to:
- monitor and drive E-government to meet policy targets set;
- coordinate with different departments and address inter-departmental issues;
- facilitate the processes in the delivery of IT projects to speed up implementation;
- present a coherent picture of E-government agenda; and
- focus on projects which will have maximum impact on citizens and businesses.
Dr Kan noted that the IIAC welcomed and supported the E-government strategies and the future focus of the EGCO. "To drive E-government initiatives, all bureaux and departments have now designated an E-business Coordinator to look after their overall E-government development," said Dr Kan.
"Seminars have been organized for senior management of bureaux and departments to exemplify E-government strategy. The Government is also reviewing the progress in IT development to examine the relative strengths of bureaux and departments, and improvement areas in the use of IT," he added.
Finally, members were briefed on the progress of the recent summer IT training programs for students. These included professional IT training for secondary students; IT camps for secondary students, of which five outstanding participants have been selected to join a sponsored visit to IT companies in Silicon Valley; a sponsorship scheme for secondary school leavers to take practical IT training courses so as to enhance their employability; and a scholarship for tertiary students to take a computer animation and visual effects course in the New York University, USA.
Members welcomed these initiatives and recommended that the Government should review and organize similar activities in future. The IIAC also suggested that the Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association should be engaged to organise territory-wide contest to select industry as well as students with good potential to attend training courses provided by overseas training institutions renowned in digital entertainment. This will help enhance the creativity and quality of the local digital entertainment industry, which will in turn drive the further development of the industry.
The IIAC, chaired by Secretary for Information Technology and Broadcasting, Mrs Carrie Yau, is an advisory body established in August 1998 to advise the Government on how to facilitate the development of the information infrastructure in Hong Kong.
Appointed by the Chief Executive, members are drawn from the business, industry and academia with wide representation. Senior Government officials with portfolios relating to IT and telecommunications also sit on the committee.
To facilitate the IIAC in discharging its work, the Committee has established a Working Group on E-commerce Environment and Technologies Exploitation, a Task Force on IT Manpower and an Ad Hoc Group on the Cyberport.
- ENDS -
|