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Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, at the presentation ceremony of the Hong Kong Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Awards 2012 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre this evening (April 3):
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good evening.
I am delighted to join you all once again for this annual headline event of our information and communications technology (ICT) industry.
First and foremost, congratulations to all the award winners on their remarkable achievements.
This month marks a couple of interesting centenaries. It was 100 years ago this month that the technologically advanced and seemingly "unsinkable" liner, the Titanic, made its maiden voyage. We all know how that ended. The lesson from the Titanic's tragic end is that we should never become complacent when it comes to technology and new ideas.
Another less high-profile but equally important centenary this month is the 100th anniversary of the birth of Alan Turing. Alan Turing is widely recognised as the father of computer science. His ideas and vision gave birth to the computer age that dominates our lives today.
Mr Turing once said, and I quote, "Machines take me by surprise with great frequency." End quote. May I echo his comments today. The innovative ideas behind the winning entries take me by surprise at each ICT Awards Presentation Ceremony, and this year is no exception.
The ICT Awards continue to receive strong support from the industry and the community, attracting over 670 entries this year. Winners in each one of the categories demonstrate excellence in their respective sectors.
Innovation and technology give impetus to economic development and enhance our competitiveness. Governments everywhere seek to create an environment that facilitates the development of innovation and technology. In Hong Kong, we have stepped up the pace and intensity of these efforts in the face of growing competition in our region.
Hong Kong is well-positioned as an ICT hub, and is the gateway for overseas technology providers to tap into the increasingly accessible Mainland markets.
With world-class technology infrastructure and facilities, Hong Kong is also an ideal test bed for new solutions, as well as a solid base for ICT companies to serve their clients in the Mainland and across our region.
We have a deep pool of nimble and skilled ICT professionals who are capable of delivering ingenious applications and solutions. With the concerted efforts of the industry, academia and the Government, the Hong Kong ICT Awards provide a valuable platform to trumpet our successes, showcase our talents and promote our ICT expertise to a wide audience.
The awardees are better able to explore business opportunities in the Mainland and overseas markets through their participation in international exhibitions and events. One such event is the International ICT Expo in Hong Kong starting next week. The Expo will feature the Hong Kong ICT Awards Winners Pavilion. Winners here will be able to interact with visitors and buyers from around the world at the Expo, enhancing their exposure to the global ICT market.
Since 2006, the Awards have recognised over 400 deserving entries. Riding on this platform, winners have moved beyond Hong Kong to achieve prestigious national, regional and international recognition.
Allow me to mention some recent triumphs. At the national level, Hong Kong companies have achieved excellent results at the China Outstanding Software Product Awards. Hong Kong companies have won awards in three consecutive years and secured the grand award.
Further afield, the Hong Kong delegation achieved a record performance at the Asia Pacific ICT Awards 2011, picking up five Grand Awards and nine Merits among the 17 categories.
It is encouraging to see our local ICT industry winning such acclaim worldwide and, in turn, raising the profile of Hong Kong as a hub for innovation and technology.
I wish to congratulate all the winners this year, and extend my thanks to the Steering Committee, the Grand Judging Panel, the Organising Committee, the Leading Organisers, supporting organisations and all the judges for their dedication in sustaining the success of the Awards.
Ladies and gentlemen, we must never become complacent when it comes to ICT development. History teaches us that some ideas will sink, while others will swim and flourish. We must learn from our successes as well as our failures. So please, keep up the good work.
Thank you.
Ends/Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:49
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