Hong Kong Information Infrastructure Advisory Committee (IIAC) approved Thursday the setting up of a working group to promote the adoption of wireless technology and services in the special administrative region.
According to a government press release, the working group will focus on the promotion of wider adoption of wireless technology and services at the enterprise level.
The working group will identify problems and obstacles facing the industry, and propose concrete actions and measures to promote the use of wireless technology and services by the business sector.
The group, comprising interested IIAC members and co-opted members who have the relevant experience and expertise, is expected to complete its tasks in three months.
The IIAC members were also briefed on the proposal to open up for commercial exploitation the intellectual property (IP) in the information technology (IT) systems and software developed by contractors for government use so as to help create more business opportunities for the local IT industry.
A spokesman for the Commerce, Industry and Technology Bureau said, "opening up the IP in government IT systems can encourage the IT industry to explore further application opportunities. This will help promote the development of the local IT industry."
"The wider use of the IT systems developed for and used by Hong Kong government elsewhere will also help enhance our status as a leading digital city and strengthen the international position of the Hong Kong IT industry," he said.
The government will carefully consider the suggestions of the IIAC members before finalizing the arrangements, he added.
Chaired by the Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, the IIAC is an advisory body established in August 1998 to advise the government on how to drive IT development in Hong Kong.
(Xinhua News Agency June 13, 2003)
