IIAC discusses IT developments in HK

April 9, 2002

The Information Infrastructure Advisory Committee (IIAC) met today (April 9) to discuss the review of the Electronic Transactions Ordinance.

Members were also briefed on the results of the industry consultation on the Interoperability Framework for E-government, the latest development of administration of Internet domain names in Hong Kong and the Community IT User Support Service to be launched in June 2002. Members also noted the establishment of a working group to drive the development of digital entertainment in Hong Kong.

The Electronic Transactions Ordinance (ETO) was enacted in January 2000 to provide a clear legal framework for electronic transactions to drive the development of e-business in Hong Kong.

"We have made commitment to review the ETO to ensure that Hong Kong has the most up-to-date legal framework for the development of e-business. As a first step, we have conducted an internal review within the Government covering all bureaux and departments. A set of preliminary proposals has been formulated to update and improve the ETO. We now invite public views on the review. We have also written to IT-related organisations and professional bodies, etc. to actively solicit their views on the review, " a spokesman for the Information Technology and Broadcasting Bureau (ITBB) said.

The IIAC noted the proposed amendments to the ETO, which had taken into account the experience gained from the operation of the Ordinance, technological advancement, social changes and international e-business development.

Information about the review of the ETO is now available at the website of ITBB (http://www.info.gov.hk/itbb). The public are invited to submit their views by post to ITBB at second floor, Murray Building, Garden Road, Hong Kong, by fax (2511 1458), or by e-mail (etoreview@itbb.gov.hk). The consultation will end on April 30, 2002.

At the last IIAC meeting held on December 20, 2001, members were briefed on the background to the establishment of an Interoperability Framework (IF) for E-government and the industry consultation then under way. The IF basically comprises a collection of guidance documents and specifications to ensure a seamless flow of information within the Government and between Government and external systems where interaction is required.

At the meeting today, Members were updated on the comments and suggestions received during the industry consultation, which ended in January 2002. The IIAC noted that 26 responses had been received and most of them supported the Government's initiative to put in place such a framework.

"The IIAC noted that the next step is to specify the technical specifications to be adopted, with clear explanations. The aim is to promulgate the first version of the IF in the third quarter of 2002. The IIAC also noted the Government's intention to constantly update the IF in the light of new business requirements, technology changes, developments both locally and internationally in technical standards and specifications relating to the interoperability of IT systems, operational experience of bureaux and departments, and feedback from the IT industry and members of the public," the spokesman said.

The IIAC also received a progress report on the latest development of the administration of Internet domain names in Hong Kong. The IIAC noted that the Internet domain name administration functions had been successfully transferred from the local universities to a non-profit making body, the Hong Kong Internet Registration Corporation (HKIRC).

"The IIAC noted that the HKIRC would roll out new, market-oriented services. Members also suggested that the HKIRC should actively consider appointing multiple registrars for .hk domain names to promote the use of the Internet, which would help drive the further development of e-business in Hong Kong," the spokesman said.

The inauguration ceremony of the HKIRC will be held on April 22.

The IIAC was also briefed on the Community IT User Support Service to be jointly launched by the ITBB, the Information Technology Services Department and the Hong Kong Computer Society in June 2002. The IIAC noted that the service would provide, in a user-friendly manner, members of the community with advice on common problems that they might encounter in using basic IT applications. The aim is to encourage and assist members of the community to adopt IT and raise their confidence. This project will create 11 jobs at post-secondary level or above.

"Members welcomed the provision of this service and suggested that there should be cooperation between this service and vendors of common IT applications so as that product-specific questions could be referred to the vendors. Moreover, the staff of the service should also be equipped to answer questions relating to open source software," the spokesman said.

The IIAC has also established a special working group to drive the development of digital entertainment in Hong Kong. The working group comprises representatives from the trade, academia, business and social service sectors. The convenor is the Hon Sin Chung-kai.

The IIAC, chaired by the Secretary for Information Technology and Broadcasting, Mrs Carrie Yau, is an advisory body established since August 1998 to advise the Government on how to drive IT development in Hong Kong.

Appointed by the Chief Executive, IIAC members are drawn from the IT, telecommunications, business, and academic fields with wide representation. Senior Government officials with portfolios relating to IT and telecommunications also sit on the committee.

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