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The Hong Kong Government home page on the Internet serves precisely that purpose. It facilitates searches of home pages developed by individual branches and departments.
He noted that more home pages were being developed by various departments under the wings of the Hong Kong Government home page.
The Director of Information Services, Mrs Irene Yau, said the home page was designed with different users in mind. Journalists, businessmen, academics and students, whether local or overseas, can easily find information they need on the home
page.
The Government Information Centre offers 10 sections of current and background information about Hong Kong, with statistics and pictures.
The section "News Update" features important government press releases, statements and speeches by the Governor and senior officials.
Job-seekers might find the recruitment advertisements useful, while contractors and suppliers can find the latest tender notices on the Notice Board section. There is also a "How to Apply" series to provide guidance to users of government services.
The Hong Kong Government Information Centre also provides users with on- line access to other government departments and related organisations which already have their own home pages.
These include: the Civil Service Branch, Intellectual Property Department, Information Services Department, Information Technology Services Department, Office of the Telecommunications Authority, Radio Television Hong Kong, Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Hong Kong Tourist Association and the Hospital Authority.
"We hope that this new service will eventually provide a useful and user- friendly alternative to the hotlines and other services through which the government seeks to inform the public," Mrs Yau added.
The Government Home Page has been jointly developed by the Information Services Department and the Information Technology Services Department, with the participation of the Efficiency Unit and the Government Supplies Department.