***********************************************************
Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, at the Awards Presentation Ceremony of the Hong Kong Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Awards 2011 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre today (April 15):
Greg (Mr Gregory So, Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good evening.
It's my great pleasure to join you all for this year's ICT Awards.
First of all, congratulations to all the award winners.
We had over 740 entries this year, and so the competition was rather fierce. This demonstrates strong support among members of the industry and the community.
I am extremely impressed with this year's winning entries. It is quite noticeable that the overall trend is leaning towards mobility applications. Mobility seems to be a common thread linking entries in all categories of the Awards this year. The new mobility applications are designed for fun and for functionality and always with end users in mind.
ICT is all about empowering people to become more mobile and, at the same time, more efficient and productive. The possibilities brought by ICT are endless.
The dynamic and rapid changes in ICT are transforming the way we live, enhancing our quality of life and connecting us to new opportunities. New ICT innovations and technologies are also propelling economic development and sharpening our competitiveness.
I am taking up the chairmanship of the Steering Committee on Innovation and Technology which aims to dovetail the efforts and ideas of industry, academia and research institutions. This will help Government better co-ordinate the formulation and implementation of policies for the industry. It will also help promote greater synergy among the ICT sector.
On the subject of synergy, the ICT Awards Presentation Ceremony is being staged in conjunction with the International ICT Expo. This joint event is a highlight in Hong Kong's ICT calendar. It also demonstrates the fertile ground here for ICT development.
We have a tech-savvy population; our household broadband Internet penetration rate is over 82%; and we have a robust market with an insatiable appetite for state-of-the-art ICT applications.
Our sights are also firmly fixed on the huge opportunities in regional and global markets. In particular, the developments in Mainland China have led to rapid growth both in demand for ICT products and services, and in capabilities which would serve global customers.
As an international trading hub, Hong Kong is an ideal platform for Mainland companies to go global, including ICT firms. We have excellent financial services and our ICT professionals have good understanding of the Mainland's market and business practices.
At the same time, overseas companies can take advantage of our experience and connections to explore the ICT potential in the Mainland.
Through showcasing the Awards winners at the International ICT Expo, overseas and Mainland visitors can appreciate the talent behind Hong Kong's blossoming ICT industry.
Since 2006, these Awards have become a springboard for our dedicated professionals to achieve success and gain exposure further afield. They have also helped to promote healthy competition and raise the bar for the industry here in Hong Kong.
Once again, congratulations to all the winners this year. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Steering Committee, the Organising Committee, the Leading Organisers of the 10 award categories, the supporting organisations, and all the hard working judges. Your hard work has helped to ensure another successful Hong Kong ICT Awards.
Have a great evening, and please do enjoy the rest of the ICT Expo.
Thank you very much.
Ends/Friday, April 15, 2011
Issued at HKT 20:01
NNNN
Windows Media format
Real Media format