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Following is the speech by the Secretary for Information Technology and Broadcasting, Mrs Carrie Yau, at the Issuing Ceremony of the official souvenir cover to commemorate the launching of the Electronic Service Delivery Scheme today (January 19):

Mr Luk, distinguished guests and friends from the media,

It is my pleasure to attend the issuing ceremony of the official souvenir cover to commemorate the launching of the "Electronic Service Delivery" (ESD) Scheme.

The ESD Scheme is a key initiative of the "Digital 21" Information Technology Strategy of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The main aims of the ESD are to deliver high quality public service; to improve efficiency; to reduce cost and to foster the development of electronic commerce. Services under the ESD Scheme will be provided on a public-oriented basis. Through a single interface, the public can now obtain over 60 types of online services from over 20 Government departments and public agencies around the clock through different delivery channels, including personal computer connected to the Internet, public computer facilities and Information Kiosks located conveniently throughout Hong Kong. Examples of services would be filing of tax returns, payment of Government bills, voter registration and changing of correspondence address. We would continue to make new services available to the public. With the launching the ESD Scheme, we hope the community could be provided with diversified electronic service one-stop-shop more efficiently and more conveniently.

The launching ceremony for ESD Scheme will be held later this afternoon and our information kiosks open. Electronic public services will be made available conveniently and from now on each of us can benefit from this change in lifestyle.

I would like to extend my gratitude to Hongkong Post for issuing the souvenir cover to mark the launching. I believe the public will know more about the ESD Scheme with the issue of this beautifully designed cover.

Thank you.

End/Friday, January 19, 2001

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