Hong Kong and Italy sign MOU on Co-operation in telecommunications and IT

May 23, 2002

Hong Kong is moving another step forward in extending its global IT link with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Italy today (May 23) in Rome to enhance co-operation in telecommunications and information technology between the two places.

The MOU was signed by the Director-General of the Ministry of Communications of Italy, Professor Carmelo Basso, and Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Communities, Mr Christopher Jackson. The Minister of Communications of Italy, Mr Maurizio Gasparri, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, and the Deputy Secretary for Information Technology and Broadcasting, Mr Alan Siu Yu-bun, were present to witness the signing ceremony.

The MOU covers a wide variety of co-operative activities between the two places, ranging from exchange of information on policy and regulatory framework to promoting collaboration between the governments, academic institutions and businesses of both sides.

Speaking after the ceremony, Mr Siu said that the signing of the MOU was a significant step forward in fostering a closer relationship between Hong Kong and Italy in the fields of IT and telecommunications.

"The MOU establishes a framework for both Governments to work together to facilitate exchange and collaboration at government level, between businesses as well as academic institutions.

"International co-operation is crucial to ensure our success in the knowledge based economy. This is a key element under our Digital 21 Strategy, and the signing of the MOU is another major step forward under the strategy." he said.

Under the auspices of the MOU, the Secretary for Information Technology and Broadcasting, Mrs Carrie Yau, has invited the Minister of Communications of Italy, Mr Maurizio Gasparri, to participate in ITU Telecom Asia 2002 to be held in Hong Kong in coming December.

Other than the MOU signed with Italy, Hong Kong has since May 1998 entered into similar co-operative arrangements with 10 other countries which are advanced in the use of information technology. They are: Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, India, Israel, South Korea, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

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