ENG-2010 — Page 431

Communications, the Media and Information Technology 365

Administration of '.hk' Domain Names

A Government-appointed non-profit-making company, the 'Hong Kong Internet Registration Corporation Limited' (HKIRC), administers the '.hk' domain name. In March 2010, the Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the HKIRC to enhance its governance and transparency in administering Internet domain names in Hong Kong.

'

The Internet is evolving to accept domain names in different local languages. The HKIRC will launch in 2011 the registration for full Chinese internationalised country code top level domain. The Chinese domain names will enable Chinese-speaking people around the world to access Hong Kong websites using a web address written wholly in their mother tongue. This is conducive to e-business development in Hong Kong and other uses of the Internet for the Chinese-speaking community.

IT Manpower

The Government is committed to creating an environment where a well-qualified IT workforce can flourish and meet the needs of a digital economy. The Government has been working closely with industry and academia to facilitate continuous upgrading of the IT workforce. It has been providing support for an annual IT exchange programme since 2002 to expose students to IT projects in overseas and Mainland universities. The Government has also sponsored the implementation of an IT internship programme, which provides opportunities for IT graduates to gain practical working experience.

Hong Kong as a Hub for Technological Co-operation and Trade

Facilitating the IT Industry

The Government has introduced a range of measures to cultivate a vibrant, competitive and innovative ICT industry. Such support helps to increase business opportunities, improve service quality, build expertise and spur growth.

The Government has been adopting an aggressive outsourcing policy for its IT projects. This, together with programmes aimed at promoting the use of IT in business and the community, has created an environment for the local industry's growth. The Government will continue to help the industry explore business opportunities in the Mainland and overseas markets.

To help Hong Kong service suppliers enter the Mainland market and obtain third-party accreditation for their services, the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) allows them to apply for Computer Information System Integration (SI) qualification certification. Also under the CEPA, Guangdong and Hong Kong will take forward a pilot run of applications for mutual recognition of electronic signature certificates for the development of e-commerce in the two places.