The Digital 21 Strategy was initially released in 1998, and has since been updated three times (2001, 2004 and 2008).
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, Gregory So, highlighted the need to have an evolving strategy to keep up with rapid technology revolution and changing community needs. “With the advent of wireless and multi-platform technologies, cloud computing, the Internet of Things and big data in recent years, it is time to update the strategy again,” he noted.
A consultant, commissioned by the Government, is reviewing the success under the Digital 21 Strategy so far and making recommendations on the new plan to guide ICT development in Hong Kong in the next few years.
The new proposal is to set out a framework for Hong Kong to leverage new technologies to further economic and social development in various sectors. The theme of the proposed strategy is ‘Smarter Hong Kong, Smarter Living’.
So remarked that this new strategy would be a “living strategy”, growing and evolving with the global trends and community aspirations.
As outlined in the public consultation document, the 2014 plan is to have four areas of strategic focus:
- Empowering everyone – to build platforms that enable the public and business to realise their aspirations. Initiatives under this will facilitate the provision of free digital identity to citizens, allowing them to experience secure authenticated transactions with the Government. It also includes provision of Wi-Fi to schools to promote e-learning.
- Igniting business innovations – to enhance research and development and provision of open data. The Government looks to develop innovative platforms for commercial and industrial use, and to make the public sector information released machine-readable.
- Supporting a thriving ICT industry – to recognise excellence and assist local ICT companies to gain foothold in the Mainland and overseas markets. This will include development of cluster of smart cities and application of Internet of Things to enhance cross-boundary trade.
- Transforming and integrating public services – to develop intuitive, personalised and “multi-platform by default” approach for e-services. Future initiatives also include more paperless solutions and workflow platforms and encourage more data sharing and data-based decision-making in city management.
The public consultation document is based on the consultant’s results and recommendations and endorsed by the Digital 21 Strategy Advisory Committee. 19 consultation sessions were held to engage various ICT professionals and industry bodies, academia, major users and government departments in the formulation of the plan, seeking their views and insights on the way forward.
Calling on the community to express their expectations for the ICT industry and its application, So said,” We hope to seek comments from the public through the consultation. The views collected will help us refine the strategy and shape the way forward.”
The Government is open to receiving feedback from the community by email, post or fax, on or before November 30, 2013.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Medha Basu
Quelle/Source: futureGov, 19.09.2013
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