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"Consumer Connect" provides ready platform for product promotion
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     The Government actively champions the adoption of information and communications technology (ICT) among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to enhance their productivity, efficiency and competitiveness, the Deputy Government Chief Information Officer (Policy and Customer Service), Miss Joey Lam, said at the launch ceremony of "Consumer Connect" this evening (January 8).

     "Consumer Connect" is a cloud-enabled mobile promotional platform and application developed by GS1 Hong Kong with sponsorship from the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) under the 2011/12 Sector-specific Programme to enhance ICT adoption in the wholesale and retail sector.

     "Brand owners and retailers can create, manage and publish their marketing campaigns on the one-stop-shop platform to engage their target consumers anywhere and anytime," Miss Lam said.

     "This platform also enables consumers to obtain the latest product information, promotion offers and digital coupons by simply scanning the barcodes on the product packages with their smartphones using the 'Consumer Connect' mobile application," she said.

     Through "Consumer Connect", consumers can also check the authenticity of a product by simply scanning the verification code for brands that have enrolled in GS1 Hong Kong's GENUINE Product Authentication service, which was developed with government sponsorship under the Sector-specific Programme in 2008.

     "The retail sector is a major service sector in Hong Kong. Adoption of new ICT and innovative applications would enhance its competitiveness and maintain close engagement with customers on different fronts through more personal and ubiquitous promotion. Consumers also benefit from greater transparency of product information," Miss Lam said.

     The Sector-specific Programme is an initiative implemented by the OGCIO since 2004 to drive e-business and ICT adoption in business sectors, targeting the SMEs. To date, 16 projects have been sponsored under the Programme for 12 sectors, namely, travel agencies, medical and health, drugstores, logistics, accountants, beauty service, watches and clocks, trade, social service, supply chain, business services, and wholesale and retail. The projects encompass IT skill training, and development of websites and applications to enhance operational efficiency of SMEs and their customers' experience.

     The "Consumer Connect" mobile application is available for free download from the Apple App Store and Google Play. More information is available at GS1 Hong Kong's website at www.consumerconnect.hk/about.htm.

Ends/Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Issued at HKT 20:01

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