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The much celebrated annual event of the local information and communications technology (ICT) industry - the Hong Kong ICT Awards (HKICTA) - will open for applications on November 9 (Friday). All local professionals and organisations are welcome to enter their applications and solutions for the contest and to pursue the top awards in town.
Now approaching its seventh consecutive year, the HKICTA aims to promote and recognise outstanding innovative technology and applications. It also encourages practitioners to develop creative ICT solutions for a better life and uplifts the professional image of Hong Kong ICT industry both locally and internationally.
Supported by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, Hong Kong Productivity Council and Hong Kong Trade Development Council, HKICTA 2013 is organised by 10 local professional associations chosen by a Steering Committee through a competitive selection exercise.
The Government Chief Information Officer and Chairman of the Steering Committee, Mr Daniel Lai, said, "In Hong Kong, 98 per cent of our enterprises are small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which employ some 48 per cent of private sector employment. To maintain Hong Kongˇ¦s overall competitiveness, we should encourage SMEs to take advantage of the ICT to enhance efficiency and increase productivity. The Steering Committee therefore created a new award category, 'Best SME ICT Award', to spur the development of ICT solutions for SMEs."
The Chairman of the Organising Committee of the HKICTA 2013, Professor Wong Kam-fai, said, "The Organising Committee welcomes the new award category focusing on SMEs. To encourage more outstanding products to take part, Cyberport and the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks will provide qualified winners free subscription for its Collaboration Centre's services and fast track admission to its Incu-Tech Incubation Programme."
The 10 categories of the HKICTA 2013 and their leading organisers are:
Best Business Award: Hong Kong Computer Society
Best Collaboration Award: Hong Kong Software Industry Association
Best Digital Entertainment Award: Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association
Best Digital Inclusion Award: The Hong Kong Council of Social Service
Best Green ICT Award: Green ICT Consortium
Best Innovation and Research Award: Internet Professional Association
Best Lifestyle Award: Hong Kong Information Technology Federation
Best Mobile Apps Award: Hong Kong Wireless Technology Industry Association
Best Public Service Application Award: The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers - IT Division; and
Best SME ICT Award: Information and Software Industry Association.
There will be one Grand Award in each category and the best of the best - Award of the Year - will be selected by a Grand Judging Panel from the 10 Grand Awards. Applications will close on January 11, 2013.
Further information is available on www.hkictawards.hk. Enquiries can be made to the Secretariat Office of HKICTA 2013 by phone on 2788 5669 or by e-mail to info@hkictawards.hk.
Ends/Monday, October 29, 2012
Issued at HKT 17:12
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