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In less than a year's time, members of the public will be able to transact business with 10 Government departments and public agencies on-line through an open and common information infrastructure at places and time convenient to them.

This can be done through their personal computers at home or in the office; public computers installed by the Government in District Offices, community halls and public libraries; or via an interactive Internet device and some 100 public information kiosks to be installed at convenient locations.

This is all but part of the Government's Electronic Service Delivery (ESD) scheme, a key initiative under the "Digital 21" IT Strategy to promote a wider use of IT in the community.

The contract for the first phase of the scheme has been awarded to Timbo Star Investment Limited after a rigorous evaluation process. Under the contract, Timbo Star will provide the system to deliver ESD services for Government for five years. At the option of the Government, the contract can be extended for two more years on the same terms.

"Timbo Star's proposal has been rated the best on the combined technical and financial assessments," said Mr K C Kwong, Secretary for Information Technology and Broadcasting, at the contract signing ceremony today (Friday).

"The company is planning to complete the implementation of the project within 11 months. We have full confidence in its capability and commitment and we can expect that the first phase of the ESD scheme will be up and running in October 2000," he added.

Mr Canning Fok, Group Managing Director of Hutchison Whampoa, signed on behalf of Timbo Star which is a joint venture of Hutchison Communications Limited and Compaq Computer Limited. The two companies have strong technical and marketing expertise and financial background while Timbo Star is also supported by a strong team of strategic partners, technology solution providers and financial institutions like Microsoft, Oracle, Northern Telecom, Computer & Technology Holdings Limited, Standard Chartered Bank, Citibank, EPSCO and JETCO.

Public services to be delivered under the first phase of the scheme include payment of Government bills, submission of tax returns, purchase of tax reserve certificates, job searches, renewal of driving and vehicle licences, voter registration, as well as information look-up for tourists.

Mr Kwong paid tribute to the 10 Government departments and public agencies for their vision to take part in the first phase of the scheme.

"They are the pioneers who will set the model for others in the Government and the private sector to follow," he said.

Mr Kwong noted that the implementation of the ESD scheme has also another important mission - to familiarize the public with the conduct of electronic business, give them confidence in such transactions and encourage them to purchase goods and services offered by the private sector over the Internet.

"Our vision is to make Hong Kong a leading digital city in the globally connected world in the 21st century. Implementation of the ESD scheme will be an important step towards achieving that," he stressed.

End/Friday, November 12, 1999

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