Government promotes the use of IT in community
07 - 08 - 2003

The Government is committed to making Hong Kong a leading digital city and has launched a series of initiatives to enhance the public's use of information technology (IT).

The Director of Information Technology Services, Mr Alan Wong Chi-kong, made the above remarks during the opening ceremony of the 19th International Computer Expo this morning (August 7).

Mr Wong briefed participants on the Government's initiatives, including technology diffusion, education and IT awareness programmes.

On technology diffusion, the Government aims to provide citizens with easy access to IT facilities.

It has set up the Super Cyber Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui as well as a number of District Cyber Centres and Community Cyber Points throughout the territory, where the public can use personal computers free of charge.

To facilitate the launch of the Smart Identity Card and the use of digital certificates to conduct online transactions, card readers have been installed at the public kiosks of the Electronic Services Delivery Scheme.

Mr Wong said a five-year strategy on "Information Technology for Learning in the New Era" had just been completed. IT courses had been organised for the elderly, people with disabilities, women and the general public.

Various publicity programmes have been launched to promote IT awareness and adoption. More than 1,200 computers have been donated to the underprivileged by some 50 government bureaux/departments with a view to narrowing the digital divide.

Last year, the Government subsidised the Hong Kong Computer Society to launch the IT Easy Link service, a free hotline for the public to enquire about IT applications.

To strengthen the support for the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the exploitation of IT, the Government has recently provided additional funding for extending the IT Easy Link service to include face-to-face consultations with the SMEs, also free of charge.

Mr. Wong said the Government aimed to provide e-options for 90% of the public services amendable to the electronic mode of service delivery and to conduct 80% of government procurement tenders through electronic means by the end of this year.

He told the participants that the Government had nearly achieved both targets, but would continue to encourage the public to fully utilise IT in their daily lives.

At the Wireless Forum 2003 held concurrently with the Computer Expo today, Mr Wong also spoke on the Government's attention to the application of wireless technology in Hong Kong.

The Government recently set up a Working Group on Promotion of Wireless Services and Technology with the objective to recommend concrete measures to overcome the obstacles that the industry and the business community would face on the adoption of wireless services and technology in enterprises.

A Wireless Solutions Development Centre, funded by the Government, will also be set up at Cyberport later this year with the mission to support developing Hong Kong into the regional mobile and wireless hub in the Asia Pacific Region.

Mr. Wong said that the Government would also identify services that could exploit the wireless technologies so as to provide more convenient public services, and to enhance the productivity of the Government's knowledge workers and field workers.

- END -