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352 Communications, the Media and Information Technology

them as library cards 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 of 2004 and automated vehicle clearance since April 2005. In future, the cards may be used for making bookings for the use of sports and leisure facilities.

In 2006, Hong Kong continued to gain world recognition for its efforts in promoting e-government. In the e-Readiness rankings released by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) this year, Hong Kong was ranked second in Asia-Pacific.

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 to expose Hong Kong students to the digital world and to encourage tertiary institutions to organise IT-related exchange programmes with overseas or Mainland institutions. A government-funded pilot digital entertainment programme for interns was launched by the Cyberport in April for graduates to gain practical experience by working for a period in local digital entertainment companies. The Government also provided sponsorship for the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited to work with the British Council to organise a programme called 'Digital Pioneers Young Creative Entrepreneur Network' to encourage contact and exchanges between digital media entrepreneurs in Hong Kong and their opposite numbers in United Kingdom.

The Industry Training Advisory Committee for the IT industry was formed to develop, maintain and update training procedures and Specification of Competency Standards. It will also strengthen the link between the industry and the vocational education sector to create a better equipped and more productive and competitive workforce. The Government sponsored the Hong Kong Computer Society to conduct a study on the IT Professional Certification System and IT Manpower Roster to recognise the capability and experience of IT practitioners. 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 local manpower needs and enhance Hong Kong's competitiveness in the world market. When needed, talented people and IT professionals from elsewhere, including the Mainland, may be admitted to Hong Kong to offset shortages in specific areas.

Building a Digitally Inclusive Society

The Government encourages citizens to use IT to boost their competitiveness and quality of life. It will continue to organise various activities and initiatives to promote wider adoption and greater public awareness of IT. Since 2005, the Government has injected $2 million into the Digital Solidarity Fund (DSF) to get designers and other people in the digital industry to help draw up IT strategies for Hong Kong. The fund also received $1.3 million from commercial sponsorship. So far, 13 projects have been funded by the DSF. Other initiatives included district IT promotion activities, a dedicated website and radio programmes. Over

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