ENG-2012 — Page 366

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Communications, the Media and Information Technology

The Government encourages small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to take advantage of ICT and cloud computing services to enhance efficiency and productivity, through various initiatives including the Sector-Specific Programme.

IT Manpower

The Government also works with the industry and academia to map out strategies and measures to create an environment where a well-qualified IT workforce can flourish and meet the needs of a digital economy. The Government undertakes projects to encourage students to pursue IT as a career and in 2012 formed a Task Force on ICT Professional Development and Recognition to consider establishing a framework for ICT professional recognition in Hong Kong, with reference to practice elsewhere.

Information Security

The Government's information security portal (InfoSec.gov.hk) provides the latest IT security news, protection measures, best practices and guidelines, and short videos and radio episodes, helping to raise the public's awareness of security threats and to protect their computer systems and data. The Hong Kong Computer Emergency Response Team Co-ordination Centre also provides computer security incident response services.

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 by increasing business opportunities, improving service quality and building expertise.

The Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) allows Hong Kong service suppliers to apply for Computer Information System Integration qualification certification and provide various IT services in the Mainland, including system integration, implementation and database services. Moreover, in August, Guangdong and Hong Kong turned a pilot scheme for the mutual recognition of electronic signature certificates issued in the two places into a standing arrangement.

To recognise outstanding achievement and to showcase Hong Kong's ICT success at home and abroad, the Government collaborates with the local ICT industry in organising Hong Kong ICT Awards and encourages award winners to participate in international awards. In 2012, Hong Kong's ICT products and solutions won nine grand awards in three prestigious international awards: the World Information Technology and Services Alliance Global ICT Excellence Awards, the World Summit Award Mobile, and the Asia Pacific ICT Awards.

The Government supports the development of data centres as essential infrastructure for the continuing development of the economy. Since 2010, the Government has allocated over 12 hectares of land in the Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate and has reserved two hectares of land in Tseung Kwan O for the development of high-tier data centres. The first reserved site of about one hectare will be ready for open bidding in 2013. To encourage the conversion of industrial buildings into data centres and the development of high-tier data centres on existing industrial

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