Hong Kong—Mr. Leung Chun-ying, Chief Executive of Hong Kong, announced the policy address for this year yesterday with the section “Innovation and Technology”. Hong Kong Computer Society (HKCS) welcome and support the initiatives, and have the following expectations and strategic recommendations:
1. Use Kowloon East as the pilot area of “Smart City”—In recent years, Kowloon East comprising areas like Kwun Tong, Kowloon Bay and former Kai Tak Airport has been regarded as the new core business district of Hong Kong with the view to sustaining Hong Kong’s long-term development.
HKCS support the suggestion to try out “Smart City” in Kowloon East which has become a popular district with well-developed infrastructure and industrial and commercial buildings. We believe that it can representatively reflect the effectiveness and possible barriers of “Smart City” adoption in Hong Kong. This would contribute to the comprehensive execution plan in the future.
The development of “Smart City” in Hong Kong has long been one of the top priories of HKCS. We recognize the benefits it brings to the general public and we hope that our Government would foster the execution of relevant policies. HKCS’s flagship event, “Hong Kong International Computer Conference ” (HKICC) has the theme of "smart city" last year, which helps to stimulate innovation in HK on this area through successful case studies from mainland and overseas.
2. Encourage the participation of universities and research centers in Research & Development (R&D) projects—Universities and research centers are the crucial driving force for local Information and Communication Technology (ICT) development. “Innovation and Technology Fund” (ITF) launched by the Government to assist midstream/downstream R&D projects undertaken by universities, R&D centers, industry support organizations, professional bodies and trade and industry associations. It has already provided about $8.9 billion for more than 4,200 projects. The Chief Executive proposed injecting $5 billion into ITF and submitting the “Research and Development Cash Rebate Scheme” under the fund. The Government is also setting up “Enterprise Support Scheme” to enhance the funding support for R&D projects of the private sector.
Abundant political and financial support is the key leading to the success of R&D projects. HKCS believe that the above-mentioned suggestions could help foster ICT development in Hong Kong. Those policies could also boost the younger generation’s confidence on the future development of local ICT industry and motivate them to bring out R&D projects or set up start-up. We also expect that the Government could strengthen the collaboration of local researchers with other regions apart from the Mainland. Local ICT elites would be able to get more inspiration from these exposures.
3. Establish Innovative and Technology Bureau (ITB)—The establishment of ITB reflected the Government’s emphasis on the development of ICT. However, the funding approval from the Finance Committee is still suspended since the passage of resolution at the Legislative Council to set up ITB at the end of October 2014.
Hong Kong ICT has been undergoing rapid development, taking a key role in both local and global stage. The establishment of ITB would bring out more constructive policies which foster the development of local ICT industry. HKCS urge all legislative councilors to fully support the funding application in order to maintain Hong Kong’s competitive edge.
4. Widely adopt latest technologies—In this ever-changing digital era, following the latest ICT development in the world is essential to enjoy sustainable social and economic development and offer citizens a decent life. The Government suggested the “Digital 21” Strategy to make wider use of new information technology such as sensors, the Internet of Things (IoT) and big data analytics. These would be applied in public sectors in order to achieve better public service and sustain social growth.
HKCS much appreciate the Government’s receptive attitude towards the application of new technology to bring citizen a better life. For example, the Government has announced to replace the existing smart ID card with sophisticated technologies such as RFID and bio-metrics. HKCS will keep updated with the latest ICT trends and have corresponding public promotion in order to reach a consensus to support the policies to be implemented in the future.
Mr. Michael Leung, President of HKCS, pointed out that the “Innovation and Technology” section in Policy Address 2015 kept pace with the latest development in the world. It also provides various kinds of assistance and creates rooms for the further development of ICT. The successful implementation of those policies would facilitate the sustainable development of both local ICT and the whole city and raise the competitiveness of Hong Kong.
Mr. Leung, however, commented that the address emphasized a lot on enticing overseas elites and neglected the strategies to retain local professionals. HKCS has long been stressing the importance to cultivate young ICT elites. HKCS suggests Hong Kong to encourage our younger generation to adopt IT as a career to fuel the need for such talents, and also provide more incentives to instill digital literacy for parents and all ages to be in step with a knowledge society. This would also help changing their perception regarding the promises ICT holds for the future.
Mr. Leung suggested that, “the Government should have concrete policies on fostering local ICT development, particularly start-ups. HKCS recommend the Government to implement preferences on procurement, attaching a top priority to local innovative products, helping local ICT companies to develop and grow.” HKCS also suggested the Government to have concrete steps to create an enabling environment to promote entrepreneurship which is key to diversifying and sustaining our economic development. Entrepreneurship also goes hand-in-hand with the development in Innovation and Technology, Creative Industry and new industries like Environment Protection and Conversation.
Mr. Leung hoped that the Government could start the implementation as soon as possible, enabling the public to share the advantages of ICT. He also expected that the Government could lead relevant departments, legislative councilors and the public to work together for the future development of local ICT.
About Hong Kong Computer Society (HKCS)
The Hong Kong Computer Society is a non-profit professional organization established in 1970, which strives to improve and develop Hong Kong's Information Technology (IT) industry. Being the most well-established and the largest professional association in Hong Kong, the HKCS is dedicated to promote the highest professional standards for the industry. The HKCS members are from a broad spectrum of Hong Kong's IT industry, from corporate users to individual talents, all working together for the benefit of the industry.
Issued by: Hong Kong Computer Society
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