Budget Highlights - IT related initiatives

• Launch a pilot scheme to establish cyber centres in selected districts to narrow the digital divide.
• Establish a Research Endowment Fund amount to $18 billion, in replacement of the existing annual funding granted by the Government to the Research Grant Council of the University Grants Committee.
• Additional $300 million to provide 800 additional publicly funded places for postgraduate research programmes in the 2009-10 school year.
• Appropriate $1.83 billion for computerization projects expenditure under the Capital Works Reserve Fund.
• Launch new computerization projects:
  • Education Bureau: $61.7 million in 2008-09 for Web-based School Administration and Management System upgrade.
  • Hong Kong Police Force: $0.58 million in 2008-09 for Major Incident Investigation and Disaster Support System 2 redevelopment.
  • Hong Kong Police Force: $0.13 million in 2008-09 for Personnel Information Communal System redevelopment.
  • Department of Health: $34.96 million in 2008-09 for Communicable Disease Information System development.

A list of all IT initiatives can be downloaded here.

Government Secretariat: Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (Communications and Technology Branch)

Programmes	Matters Requiring Special Attention in 2008-09
Broadcasting, Film Services and Creative Industries (Estimate: $28.4M, +4.8%)	continuing to oversee the further implementation of digital terrestrial television broadcasting following up on the outcome of the consultation on the implementation framework for mobile television assessing the impact of technological and market convergence in order to facilitate the development of broadcasting, telecommunications and information technology planning for public consultation on the policy and arrangements for future public service broadcasting supporting the development of film industry mapping out an overall strategy for developing creative industries and implementing related support measures engaging the public in the review of the provisions of the Control of Obscene and Indecent Articles Ordinance(COIAO)
Telecommunications (Estimate: $35.2M, +0.9%)	monitoring the implementation of the Unsolicited Electronic Messages Ordinance and the Unsolicited Electronic Messages Regulation as well as other non-legislative anti-spamming measures developing implementation plans and conducting the necessary follow-up studies arising from the spectrum policy framework conducting consultancy studies for the release of spectrum for the provision of broadband wireless access services following up on the outcome of the consultation on the introduction of unified carrier licence

Government Secretariat: Innovation and Technology Commission

Programmes	Matters Requiring Special Attention in 2008-09
Support for Research and Development (Estimate: $22.4M, +0.0%)	support the activities of R&D centres with emphasis on technology transfer of funded projects enhance collaboration on R&D between Hong Kong and Guangdong work closely with the ASTRI and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Institute of Chinese Medicine Limited (HKJCICM) in strengthening their research capabilities and developing and implementing their research projects and transferring technologies to industry for commercialisation.
Fostering University-Industry Collaboration (Estimate: $6.6M, +/- 0%)	continue to administer the University-Industry Collaboration Programme (UICP) and monitor progress of the funded projects encourage more private companies to collaborate with universities in undertaking R&D activities, the Commission is considering whether the geographical restriction of the Programme might be relaxed in 2008
Promotion of Technological Entrepreneurship (Estimate: $7.7M, +13.2%)	administer the Small Entrepreneur Research Assistance Programme (SERAP) and oversee the Applied Research Fund (ARF) to support technology start-ups provide value-adding services to companies participating in the SERAP and the ARF monitor progress of the funded projects pursue the exit of ARF projects through fund managers
Planning for Innovation and Technology Development (Estimate: $37.3M, +59.4%)	strengthen technology co-operation with the Mainland through the Mainland/Hong Kong Science and Technology Cooperation Committee, the Pan-PRD Joint Conference on Regional Cooperation in Science and Technology, and the Guangdong/Hong Kong Expert Group on Cooperation in Innovation and Technology, and the Steering Group on Shenzhen/Hong Kong Co-operation in Innovation and Technology administer the GSP (including Internship Programme) and monitor progress of the funded projects promote innovation, technology and design culture to the general public and nurture more creative young talents nominate entries for the State Science and Technology Awards assist the Ministry of Science and Technology in implementing the State Key Laboratory Scheme organise the ‘Hong Kong Pavilion’ at the China Hi-Tech Fair 2008 participate in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Industrial Science and Technology Working Group
Infrastructural Support (Estimate: $76.3M, +19.0%)	work closely with the HKSTPC on its various development and business plans, including the study on the repositioning and revitalisation of the Industrial Estates assist in the development of the HKSP assist the ASTRI in strengthening its R&D capabilities and lead research programmes in the four focus areas of communications technologies, consumer electronics, integrated circuit (IC) design and opto-electronics assist the HKJCICM in developing research and assisting local Chinese medicine development assist the Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC) in promoting design and encouraging the use of design to add value to our goods and services and Government’s interface with the public administer the Design Support Programme (DSP) and monitor progress of the funded projects work closely with the HKSTPC and the HKDC to operate the InnoCentre for the design cluster
Quality Support (Estimate: $54.7M, +9.4%)	participate in activities to promote the MRAs of the Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Co-operation, the International Laboratory Accreditation Co-operation, the Pacific Accreditation Co-operation, and the International Accreditation Forum develop plans to extend accreditation services to other areas to support industry participate in the activities of the Committee for Weights and Measures (CIPM) Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA), and in the activities of the Asia Pacific Metrology Programme participate in more projects on international comparison of standards strengthen interactions between staff of the Standards and Calibration Laboratory (SCL )and local metrology users with a view to disseminating measurement techniques and knowledge to local industries; conduct visits to SCL customers to gauge their needs and to offer professional advice on-site participate in APEC activities in the areas of standards and conformance; and participate in international standardisation activities
Subvention: Hong Kong Productivity Council (Estimate: $181.5M, +2.7%)	provide integrated support to innovative and growth-oriented Hong Kong enterprises across the value chain, with the main sectoral focus on manufacturing, particularly in Hong Kong’s foundation industries, and related service activities assist Hong Kong companies and industries to leverage on the business opportunities arising from CEPA enhance its support to Hong Kong enterprises operating in PRD, through subsidiary consulting firms set up in Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Dongguan operate the R&D Centre for Automotive Parts and Accessory System promote the adoption of cleaner production technologies and practices by Hong Kong owned-factories in the PRD support R&D institutions in commercialising advanced manufacturing and processing technologies, and promote technology commercialisation and effective intellectual property management to Hong Kong and Mainland enterprises
Subvention: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited (Estimate: $121.4M, +1.3%)	continue with the research projects initiated in 2007–08 and before continue to strengthen its institutional and research capabilities through the development of its R&D Centre promote and transfer technologies developed from its R&D projects to industry work closely with the local industry and universities on the latest development of manufacturing technology and market trend with a view to fostering closer collaboration enhance local high-technology human resources development improve the industrial involvement and contribution on its R&D projects through collaborative projects

Government Secretariat: Office of the Government Chief Information Office

Programmes	Matters Requiring Special Attention in 2008-09
Use of IT in Government (Estimate: $381.6M, +4.5%)	monitor the progress in implementing programmes and initiatives in the 2008 Digital 21 Strategy continue to enrich the contents and enhance the design of GovHK and its service clusters collaborate with bureaux/departments concerned in implementing the pilot e-procurement programme continue to upkeep the IT security awareness of bureaux/departments and monitor their security compliance status formulate a channel management strategy for adoption by bureaux/departments with a view to streamlining service delivery channels and achieving greater customer satisfaction and cost-effectiveness work with bureaux/departments concerned to ensure the development of a comprehensive and co-ordinated approach in the management of information across the Government continue to enhance the Government intranet portal, the CCGO, to provide more customer-centric services to government employees continue to provide advice and support in joined-up project initiatives including the Government Electronic Trading Services (GETS) and the Digital Trade and Transportation Network (DTTN), and explore with and facilitate bureaux/departments on further opportunities for joining up e-government services continue to co-ordinate with the Rating and Valuation Department (RVD) and the Land Registry (LR) in the implementation of the PIH collaborate with the LandsD in the delivery of geo-spatial information to the public through GovHK review the arrangement for the supply of IT professional services in Government and explore opportunities for further enhancement commence a review on the electronic mail services in the Government and formulate a strategy for the service in the next five years continue to monitor the IT project governance and assist government bureaux/departments in better managing their projects participate in the review of the pilot electronic record keeping system led by the Government Records Service continue to advise and co-ordinate bureaux/departments concerned in deepening government-to-employee services to government employees, and in the deployment of government-to-government services and common applications on the CCGO
IT Infrastructure and Standards (Estimate: $113.5M, -1.5%)	implement GovWiFi to increase the coverage of wireless broadband facilities in public areas and facilitate wireless Internet access by the public arrange contracts of standing offer agreements for the provision of data centre services to bureaux and departments formulate a strategy to exploit potential opportunities for consolidation of government data centres continue to co-ordinate with the Tamar design-and-build project director, contractor, and related bureaux/ departments on the establishment of IT infrastructure and common IT services to facilitate the provision of a collaborative working environment review, update and enhance the government IT security-related regulations, policies and guidelines to keep abreast of the technology advancement and development of international best practices in information security management; continue to conduct the centrally managed security audit for bureaux/departments work with the Food and Health Bureau (FHB), the healthcare professions and other stakeholders on the development of a territory-wide electronic health record sharing infrastructure in Hong Kong and provide input on the associated specifications on technical and data standards, information management, security and other relevant IT requirements complete the renewal of the Government Backbone Network to enhance capacity and connectivity among bureaux/departments and common services continue to enhance the Interoperability Framework to facilitate the development of e-government services continue to take part in the Ideographic Rapporteur Group of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and promote wide adoption of the ISO/International Electrotechnical Commission 10646 as the standard for Chinese character coding in Hong Kong continue to advise the Digital Trade and Transportation Network (DTTN) Standards Advisory Group on relevant standards with a view to providing a neutral and secure interface for logistics players in the supply chain to exchange information and data continue to implement a pilot infrastructural authentication service using the secure personal identification number embodied in the smart identity cards; advise bureaux/departments on the adoption of the Unified Identity Management Framework for their e-government services continue to operate the Voluntary Certification Authority Recognition Scheme; continue to provide advice and support to the Hongkong Post Certification Authority in managing the public certification services complete the institutional review of Computer Emergency Response Centre (CERC )services in Hong Kong and commence implementation continue to prepare the transition of government networks to make use of the new Internet Protocol (version 6) continue to provide central facilitation and technical consultation services for the upgrading of the Confidential Mail System in bureaux/departments
IT in the Community (Estimate: $69.1M, -1.0%)	continue to organise the Hong Kong ICT Awards with a view to engaging interested stakeholders to develop a large scale and internationally recognised branding of Hong Kong’s achievements in ICT innovations and services promote GovWiFi and raise public awareness of security and health issues relating to use of wireless services, through a series of publicity and education programmes to the general public continue to sponsor worthwhile projects for driving e-business adoption among SMEs continue to facilitate and support the development of local IT industry and help expand business opportunities in overseas and the Mainland markets through the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement and other collaborative arrangements continue to collaborate with various Mainland counterparts at state, provincial and municipal levels to promote informatisation continue to support surveys to monitor IT adoption in the business sector and households, and to understand public opinions towards the provision and utilisation of e-government services provide support to the task force on digital inclusion in formulating strategies and initiatives to tackle the digital divide problems implement digital inclusion programmes with reference to the strategies and initiatives formulated by the task force on digital inclusion continue to promote and support the development of the digital entertainment industry in Hong Kong through providing a full range of support services such as shared facilities, research and development, skills upgrading and marketing continue to assist in promoting the Cyberport as the regional hub for the IT and digital entertainment industry continue to organise and sponsor a variety of initiatives to widen the adoption of IT in the community, including the production of radio programmes and sponsoring non-profit making organisations to organise promotional activities, basic IT courses and competitions continue to facilitate the development of the IT industry through participating in various promotional activities such as conferences, forums, seminars and visits continue to promote the awareness and adoption of Open Source Software ( OSS) among SMEs continue to co-organise activities with bureaux/departments, professional bodies and the IT industry to enhance the supply of quality IT manpower in Hong Kong continue to strengthen co-operation with the countries with which Hong Kong