*********************************************************

Following is a speech by the Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, Mr John Tsang, at the Signing Ceremony of Memoranda of Understanding between the Cyberport and Telecommunications Research Laboratories today (January 19)(English only):

Your Excellency Premier Klein, Consul General, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I was here a month ago officiating the Grand Opening of the Hong Kong Wireless Development Centre. I am delighted to be back again today to witness the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Centre and the Telecommunications Research Laboratories (TRLabs). This MOU marks not only the beginning of collaboration between the two institutions, but also the first step taken by the Wireless Development Centre to establish its footing outside Hong Kong. I fully endorse the Centre's vision to become the wireless hub in Asia and to play a part in the international wireless arena.

In addition to wireless technology, my Government is also fully committed to supporting the development of digital entertainment in Hong Kong. Among other things, we have sponsored the setting up of the Digital Media Centre (DMC) in Cyberport to provide state-of-the-art facilities and technical support for the industry. I am pleased to witness the signing of the MOU ahead of DMC's official opening in March this year. Our local industry will no doubt benefit from the collaborative activities to be organized under this MOU.

The signing of two MOUs with TRLabs today is, indeed, an important milestone in forging closer ties between Hong Kong and Canada under the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) MOU signed between our two governments in May 1998. The MOU provides a framework for collaboration in the ICT field between the public, private and the academic sectors of Canada and Hong Kong. Numerous cooperative activities have since been held under the auspices of the ICT MOU, and there remains a great deal for us to do. With the full implementation of CEPA on January 1, 2004, I would like to encourage Canadian companies to explore actively the possibility of partnering with Hong Kong service providers to take advantage of the enormous benefits offered by this unique arrangement.

Wishing you all a happy and prosperous Year of the Monkey. Thank you.

Ends/Monday, January 19, 2004

NNNN