Hong Kong Government Reiterates Pledge To Promote E-Business

by Mary Swire, Tax-News.com, Hong Kong

14 September 2001

During his opening speech at the inauguration of the Asian IT Expo 2001, the Hong Kong Director of IT Services Alan Wong Chi-kong, spoke of his government's continuing perseverance in promoting and adopting e-business applications for the private sector as well as in delivering public services to businesses and the general public.

Mr Wong explained: 'Our target is to increase the e-option for government services from 65 percent to 90 percent by end 2003, that is about less than two-and-a-half years from now. We believe this will encourage businessmen and citizens to interact with the Government on the Internet to speed up the e-government program.'

In January this year the government launched the first phase of its commitment to e-commerce with the Electronic Service Delivery scheme (ESD) which offers public access to over 60 online public services including payment of government fees, submission of tax returns, voter registration, renewal of driving and vehicle licences, and change of personal address.

The government aims to provide more applications in the near future such as booking of leisure and sports facilities, booking of marriage appointment and registration for sitting public examinations. 'We will actively drive e-procurement initiatives in order to encourage government suppliers to adopt e-business. We will also develop an electronic marketplace for government purchases,' said Mr Wong.

The Asian IT Expo 2001 is currently taking place in the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre between 12 - 15 September. The theme encompasses a "Business Solutions Show", and is the 12th Asian Information Technology Exhibition. Exhibitors include leading information technology and business solutions suppliers as well as professionals, corporate and business users from all sectors under one roof and is expected to draw 80,000 visitors.

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