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

Following is a question by the Hon Sin Chung-kai and a written reply by the Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, Mr John Tsang, in the Legislative Council today (December 8):

Question:

Regarding the public policy researches and industry development researches on individual industries, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) of the respective numbers of such researches conducted in the past three years; the number of those related to information technology (IT) and telecommunications industries; and the titles, scopes, responsible departments and expenses of such researches conducted in each of past three years, as well as the criteria adopted for selecting the themes and determining the priority of the researches;

(b) of the measures to encourage IT and telecommunications personnel to take part in public policy researches or industry development researches conducted by the Government in these fields, with a view to facilitating the Government in formulating policies which can better support the development of the industries from macroscopic and long-term perspectives; and

(c) whether it will consider setting up an assistance scheme to encourage associations of the IT and telecommunications industries to conduct public policy researches or industry development researches on their respective sectors; if it will, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:

Madam President,

(a) A total of 65 public policy researches and industry development researches on individual industries have been conducted in the past three years (from January 2002 to December 2004). Of these researches, 34 projects are related to information technology and telecommunications (IT&T). Details of the IT&T projects are at Annex.

In deciding whether a specific research project should be conducted, the bureau or department concerned will normally take into account the value the research can add to its understanding of the industry or the technology concerned, and the contribution the research can make towards the formulation of policy/measures in support of the development of the industry or the broader economy. Insofar as IT&T research projects are concerned, priority will be given to topics that are directly relevant to the focus areas identified in policy documents, such as the Digital 21 Strategy. The reasons for conducting the research projects are set out in Annex.

(b) From time to time, we invite the IT&T industry and professional bodies, industry support organisations and academia to take part in the researches conducted by Government. Some of the research projects mentioned in Annex were, indeed, conducted and/or supported by IT industry/professional bodies, such as the Hong Kong Computer Society, the Information and Software Industry Association, the Wireless Technology Industry Association, industry support organisations such as the Hong Kong Productivity Council, and academia. Industry bodies are also welcomed to apply to the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Development Fund for funding to conduct research aiming at enhancing the competitiveness of the SMEs in Hong Kong.

To enable the industry to provide input during the policy formulation process, the Government consults the relevant industry organisations on policy proposals that may affect their long-term development or are of general interest to them. This can be done through the issue of public consultation papers to solicit the industry's views and/or the organisation of focus groups to enable the industry representatives to convey their views to the bureau/department direct. We also consult the government statutory and advisory bodies, such as the Trade and Industry Advisory Board, the SME Committee and the Digital 21 Strategy Advisory Committee, which comprise members from different sectors, including the IT&T industries.

(c) The SME Development Fund, set up in December 2001, provides funding to eligible non-profit-distributing organisations to carry out research projects aiming to enhance the competitiveness of Hong Kong's SMEs in general or in specific sectors, including the IT&T sector. Of the 74 projects approved by the Fund so far, 16 contain a research dimension with a bearing on industry development, and four of them are related to the IT&T industries.

Funding is also available under the General Support Programme (GSP) of the Innovation and Technology Fund to support projects that contribute to fostering an innovation and technology culture in Hong Kong and benefit the future development of Hong Kong's industries.

Ends/Wednesday, December 8, 2004

NNNN