SCIT announces 2004 Digital 21 Strategy

The Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, Mr John Tsang, today (March 4) announced the 2004 Digital 21 Strategy the purpose of which is to sustain the momentum created in the last five years to make Hong Kong a leading digital city and to continue to harness the benefits of IT for the entire community.

The Strategy identifies the following eight main areas of action:

* The Government will continue to be an advocate and champion to promote Hong Kong's international image as a dynamic digital city, and facilitate the development of innovative applications, e-commerce and creative industries by providing the right supporting infrastructure, environment and programmes.

* The Government will sharpen the e-government focus, drive utilization, focus more on service quality and effectiveness in service delivery, and seek to bring value to customers as well as to the Government.

* The Government will continue to promote e-business adoption, intensify the support to different sectors provided by the two flagships at Cyberport and Science Park, strengthen our policies and regulatory framework to facilitate the development of the broadcasting and telecommunications industries, facilitate the growth of the broadband infrastructure and wireless access, and further promote public awareness of cyber security.

* The Government will review the current institutional structures in 2004 to ensure that the Government have the right institution in place to lead, coordinate, monitor and ensure the effective implementation of the programme of measures highlighted above.

* The Government will continue with our investment in research and development, strengthen commercialization arrangements, and foster the development of innovative applications and services in areas including wireless technologies, digital entertainment and open source software through provision of funding and other support measures.

* The Government will promote a vibrant, competitive and innovation driven IT industry in Hong Kong through leveraging on the opportunities afforded by the Mainland market, brand-building and trade promotion efforts of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, and our programmes to help the local industry enhance service quality and build capability.

* The Government will work with educational and vocational training institutions and the industry to enhance the training and skills of our workforce and the next generation.

* The Government will continue to enhance our programme of activities to bridge the digital divide so that all sectors of the community will benefit from IT development in enhancing the quality of life. Specifically, the Government will work together with the industry and community in setting up a Digital Solidarity Fund to fund activities aiming to build a digitally inclusive society.

Mr Tsang pointed out that to provide a more integrated structure to map out IT policies and strategies, drive the e-government programme, champion the development of new applications and services, promote IT adoption by business and the community, and foster the development of the IT industry, the Government would consider merging the Information Technology Services Department into the Communications and Technology Branch of the Commerce, Industry and Technology Bureau (CITB), and creating a new Chief Information Officer (CIO) post to provide strong and effective leadership to the new entity.

Mr Tsang said that the Government would flesh out the details of the many proposals contained in the updated Strategy in the next 12 months.

"This will be done in an open and transparent manner, involving the contribution and participation of all stakeholders," he added.

"IT development is an evolutionary process that can only be sustained by continuous inputs in terms of innovation, investment, regulatory and policy support, and most important of all, commitment of all stakeholders.

"The 2004 Digital 21 Strategy sets out a sustainable programme of measures with the aim of realising the full potential of IT to accelerate Hong Kong's transition to a knowledge-based economy, and to provide the impetus to economic growth and prosperity. We will continue to work closely together with all stakeholders in order to harness the benefits and opportunities of IT," Mr Tsang said.

The Digital 21 Strategy was first promulgated in 1998 with the aim of enhancing and promoting Hong Kong's information infrastructure and services to make Hong Kong a leading digital city in the globally connected world of the 21st century. The Strategy was subsequently reviewed and updated in 2001.

Following a review of the implementation of the 2001 Strategy, the Government published a draft updated Strategy for public consultation in late 2003. Over 80 submissions have been received. Having carefully considered the submissions received, the Government has finalised the updated Strategy for release today.

Thursday, March 4, 2004

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