Seminar on SI Certification held in Shenzhen
23 - 09 - 2004

Almost 100 representatives from the local information technology (IT) sector attended a seminar in Shenzhen today (September 23) to exchange views with Mainland officials on the arrangements for applying qualification certification in computer information system integration (SI) on the Mainland.

The seminar, jointly organised by the Ministry of Information Industry (MII) of the Central People's Government and the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, aimed to enhance the understanding of local IT companies on the requirements for obtaining SI qualification certification in the Mainland, and enable the MII to better understand the views of the local industry on the matter.

Under the second phase of the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA II) announced on August 27 this year, Hong Kong service suppliers will be allowed to apply for qualification certification in computer SI services on the Mainland in accordance with the relevant laws, regulations and rules promulgated by the Mainland.

IT service is one of the eight new trade liberalisation service areas included in CEPA II.

The Deputy Government Chief Information Officer (Planning & Strategy), Mrs Betty Fung, who represented OGCIO at the seminar, said she was encouraged to see the keen interest of the local IT community in the subject.

"This new trade liberalisation measure, to be implemented on January 1, 2005, will provide local IT companies a valuable opportunity to expand their business onto the Mainland and enhance the technological and business co-operation with their Mainland counterparts."

"We are discussing with the Mainland authority the application and implementation arrangements for the SI certification scheme to be applied to Hong Kong service suppliers. The details will be announced in December this year," Mrs Fung said.

According to the regulations promulgated by the MII, computer information system integration refers to the overall planning, design, development, implementation and maintenance of computer application system and network system projects.

Companies offering SI services in the Mainland are required to obtain SI qualification certification, which is divided into four levels of capability.

Apart from the liberalisation measure on SI qualification certification, CEPA also allows Hong Kong residents to sit for an examination in Hong Kong to obtain Mainland professional qualifications in computing technology and software. In this regard, an examination management centre has been established in Hong Kong to administer the relevant qualification examination.

Furthermore, Hong Kong service suppliers are allowed to set up Internet culture business units and Internet online service business premises on the Mainland with Mainland parties to import and host online games on the Mainland.

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