372 Communications, the Media and Information Technology
2007. Through collaboration with the private sector, it will give the public one-stop, user-friendly access to the consolidated property information held by the Government as well as the value-added services to be supplied by private sector partners.
(e) Multiple Applications on the Smart Identity Card
The Immigration Department started issuing smart identity (ID) cards in 2003. In addition to using the card for traditional immigration functions (as a means of identification), holders of smart ID cards may also choose to use them for library services and opt to have a digital certificate (the personal e-Cert) issued by HKPCA embedded in them to carry out secure online transactions. Smart ID cardholders have been able to use their cards for automated passenger clearance since the end 2004 and automated vehicle clearance since April 2005. By end of the 2006-07 financial year, the function of the cards will be extended to booking sports and leisure facilities at self-service kiosks and, around 2007, they may replace driving licences.
In 2005, Hong Kong continued to gain international recognition for its e-government efforts. In the 2005 e-Readiness rankings released by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) in April, Hong Kong was ranked first in Asia Pacific and tied with Finland to rank sixth in the world.
IT Manpower
The Government is committed to creating an environment where a well-qualified IT workforce can flourish and meet the needs of the community. It has run an annual sponsorship scheme for an IT exchange programme since 2002, which aims to expose Hong Kong students to the digital world and encouraging tertiary institutions to organise IT-related exchange programmes with overseas or Mainland institutions A government-funded pilot digital entertainment internship programme was launched by the Cyberport in April to enable graduates to gain practical working experience through attachment to local digital entertainment companies. The Government also funded the setting up of the Cyberport Digital Entertainment Incubation-cum- Training Centre with the aim of nurturing digital media artists, producers and entrepreneurs.
The Industry Training Advisory Committee for the IT industry was formed in July to develop, maintain and update training specifications and standards. It will also strengthen the link between the industry and the vocational education sector with the aim, ultimately, of producing a better equipped and more productive and competitive workforce. The Government will continue to work with the academic sector and the IT industry on longer term measures to ensure that the IT workforce meets the local manpower needs and enhance the competitiveness of Hong Kong in the globalised market. Where necessary, talented persons and professionals in IT from elsewhere, including the Mainland, may be admitted to Hong Kong to fill gaps or shortages in specific areas.