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Following is the opening address by the Commissioner for Census and Statistics, Mr Frederick W H Ho, at the 2002 Asia Pacific Technical Meeting on Information Technology and Telecommunications Statistics today (October 28):

Good morning, Ladies & Gentlemen,

May I first of all express my warmest welcome to all of you here for participating in the 2002 Asia Pacific Technical Meeting on Information Technology and Telecommunications (IT&T) Statistics.

We are very pleased to have been invited to host this meaningful international event. The importance of IT&T statistics is already widely acknowledged among all countries/territories. As statistical work on IT&T in the Asia Pacific region develops, technical meetings of such nature and other forms of exchange are very important, allowing countries/territories to share their experience in building up a comprehensive, effective and useful data collection and dissemination system on IT&T statistics.

IT&T statistics provide information on both the implementation and usage of IT&T facilities. They are vital both to the business sector in planning its future provision of services and to government in monitoring the progress of IT&T adoption. Such statistics also provide input for both economic and social areas; and amongst statistics most widely sought after.

Hong Kong has all along been working closely with the international statistical community. As an international financial centre and a world city, Hong Kong fully supports all efforts in enhancing the quality of economic and social statistics, including IT&T statistics. Hong Kong will continue to participate in this series of meeting and in similar events of its kind.

I understand that some of you have been actively involved in tackling various issues relating to the compilation of IT&T statistics since the first meeting held in Brisbane of Australia in May 2001. The current meeting will provide an opportunity for us to stock-take the progress and work out a working agenda for the coming year. I am confident that with our concerted effort, the quality of IT&T statistics in the Region will improve continually.

Taking this opportunity, I would also like to share with you the major developments in Hong Kong relating to the compilation of IT&T statistics in recent years.

First, the third round of an annual survey of IT usage and penetration in the business sector has been completed with results being prepared for publication. This survey provides a comprehensive coverage of all major economic sectors, and studies the pattern of usage and the scope of IT adoption throughout the economy. Following closely the OECD model questionnaire on ICT usage in business, the questionnaire has been enhanced continually, with additional topics of interest included.

Second, the third round of an annual survey of IT usage and penetration in households has also been completed, with results soon to be published at the same time as the survey in the business sector mentioned above. We are also constantly refining the questionnaire design, and adding new topics, as the need arises.

Third, with our experience in IT usage and penetration surveys, the Hong Kong Standard Industrial Classification (HSIC) has recently been enhanced to provide a more refined industry classification for the IT&T Sector. Statistics on the performance of the IT&T Sector have thus been compiled, which help to reflect the contribution of the Sector to the economy.

Finally, a publication "Hong Kong as an Information Society, 2002 Edition" has been published recently. This is the first of a series which we hope to publish regularly. It aims at presenting statistical data compiled from a variety of sources relevant to the development of information society, ranging from the usage and penetration of IT both in the business sector and in households, to developments in telecommunications services. Analyses on the demand for manpower in the IT&T field and developments of relevant educational programmes are also included.

Ladies and gentlemen, these developments only mark part of the total package of work to which we have committed ourselves. My colleagues and I will make our utmost efforts to continue the development of Hong Kong's statistical systems. We will of course take particular advantage of the opportunity of this meeting to learn from you various aspects of the compilation of IT&T statistics.

I see that there is a very substantial agenda for this Technical meeting. I am sure there will be hard work, but very useful work, to be done here. So, may I wish that you will have most fruitful deliberations. I will see you again tomorrow evening at the dinner reception. Meanwhile, apart from working, if you have a bit of time to spare, do find your way around our beautiful city.

Let me welcome you once again for attending the meeting. To those friends coming from afar I wish them a pleasant stay in Hong Kong.

End/Monday, October 28, 2002
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