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    A package of new initiatives to promote the further development of the digital entertainment industry and the wireless technology industry in Hong Kong were endorsed by the Digital 21 Strategy Advisory Committee at its meeting today (April 26).

    Building on the efforts made in 2004 which focused on the provision of infrastructure and marketing support, the Government will broaden and deepen its support for the local digital entertainment industry by launching a package of new initiatives. The aim is to nurture professional talents, foster the growth of promising companies, consolidate the services and resources support for them, and facilitate their entry into the Mainland and overseas markets.

    One of the major initiatives is the establishment of a one-stop Digital Entertainment Industry Support Centre (DEISC) and an online industry portal by the Hong Kong Productivity Council in collaboration with the Cyberport and with funding support from the Government.

    The DEISC, to be opened next month, will help local companies source and access support services and resources available from various industry supporting organisations. It will also promote inter-company as well as cross-media and cross-industry collaborations, and help local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) secure the necessary professional services and business development advice.

    Secondly, the Government is planning to fund the Cyberport to set up a Digital Entertainment Incubation and Training Centre, an initiative announced in the 2005 Policy Address. The centre will provide an incubation programme for local companies with innovative and viable business models in digital entertainment. The aim is to nurture companies and professional talent with clear potential for success, with a view to creating a critical mass in the local digital entertainment industry and sustaining its growth. Subject to the funding approval of the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council, the centre will be opened before the end of 2005.

    Thirdly, with funding support from the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO), the Cyberport will launch a pilot internship programme next month.  The programme will enable selected graduates from the relevant disciplines to gain practical working experience through attachment to local digital entertainment companies. The Government will invite local companies to offer internship places shortly, and each intern will receive a monthly allowance from the Government for a maximum of 12 months.

    Apart from these new initiatives, the Government will continue to promote award-winning and outstanding Hong Kong productions at international and regional trade events to build a distinguishable brand name for the local industry.  Locally, an Electronic Games Festival will be organised at Cyberport in July this year to promote high quality digital entertainment productions to the community.  

    At today's meeting, the committee was also briefed on the achievements by the Government Task Force on Promotion of Wireless Services and Technology.  

    The task force, which was set up in December, 2003, and completed its work last December, had launched a number of initiatives in the areas of publicity and promotion, market exploration, research and development, and industry collaboration with a view to promoting the awareness and use of wireless services and technology in Hong Kong.

    While the objectives of enhancing the awareness of and collaboration among industry players on wireless services and technology had been achieved, the Government recognised that more work needed to be done to facilitate the development and adoption of wireless services and applications in Hong Kong.

    To this end, the OGCIO had established in March this year a new Task Force on Facilitating the Adoption of Wireless and Mobile Services and Technology. Comprising representatives from the industry, academia and the Government, the new task force aims to identify matters of common interest among various sectors and resolve issues relating to wireless and mobile services technology, with a view to facilitating the wider adoption of the technology in the Government, businesses and the community.

    In addition, the committee noted that the OGCIO would set up a new task force to study the proposals on promoting information security put forward by the industry. Representatives from the committee and relevant industry bodies will be invited to join the task force.

Ends/Tuesday, April 26, 2005

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