ENG-1999 — Page 402

COMMUNICATIONS, THE MEDIA AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

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simple tax returns and tax payment; renewal of driving and vehicle licences; application for business registration certificates; provision of inward investment and business licensing advice; payment of government bills such as for rates, government rent and water charges and miscellaneous payments; and job search and matching services.

Electronic Commerce

The emergence of electronic transactions conducted over the Internet is the most significant development affecting business operation in the information age. By making use of the latest advances in information technology, telecommunications and multi-media content creation, electronic commerce is transforming world trade and the way in which businesses operate. It generates new commercial opportunities, especially for small- and medium-sized enterprises, and also enables Hong Kong to improve efficiency and productivity, thereby strengthening its overall competitiveness in the international business arena.

The Government fully recognises the strategic importance of promoting the development of electronic commerce to Hong Kong's long-term economic well-being. To provide a favourable environment for electronic commerce to take hold and flourish, a clear legal framework will be established through the enactment of the Electronic Transactions Ordinance in January 2000, which will provide certainty for the conduct of electronic transactions. A public key infrastructure supported by certification authorities will also be established in January 2000 to enhance security and trust in the conduct of electronic transactions over open networks. The Government organises various publicity and promotional activities to encourage the private sector, especially the small- and medium-sized enterprises, to engage in electronic commerce. In addition, Hong Kong will continue to participate in the deliberations in international fora such as the World Trade Organisation, the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in order to keep in close touch with global developments in electronic commerce and to contribute towards the building of consensus on cross- border electronic commerce issues.

Computerisation within Government

The Government aims to ensure that the information technology needs of its departments are met in the most efficient and cost-effective manner. Departments are encouraged to use information technology to upgrade the quality of the services they provide to the public. Spending on information technology within the Government increased from $1.065 billion in 1994–95 to $2.028 billion in 1998–99. By the end of the year, there were 15 mainframe computer systems, 570 mid-range computer systems and 62 800 workstations in the Government.

Departments are encouraged to conduct information systems strategy studies to examine their longer-term computerisation requirements with a view to addressing such requirements in the departmental resource planning process over a five-year period. Fourteen departments had conducted such studies by the end of the year.

With the rapid development of information technology and its widespread application within the Government, it is intended to develop an integrated government-wide information technology infrastructure with uniform design principles, standard models, common facilities and proper measures to safeguard