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The Media, Communications and Information Technology

enterprises to operate various types of value-added telecommunications services. From June 2016, the service suppliers will be able to enjoy national treatment on the whole Mainland when providing computer and related services.

The liberalisation measures under CEPA also apply to foreign companies with a business presence in Hong Kong. In addition, Hong Kong residents can take qualification examinations on computing technology and software, and provide computer and software services on the Mainland. There is also a scheme implemented by Hong Kong and Guangdong to mutually recognise electronic signature certificates to facilitate secure cross-boundary e-commerce.

Since 2005, the government has been organising the Hong Kong ICT Awards in collaboration. with the local industry to recognise outstanding inventions and applications. In 2015, Hong Kong's ICT products and solutions won two grand awards in two prestigious international awards: the China Adolescents Science and Technology Innovation Contest and the Asia Pacific ICT Alliance Awards.

Hong Kong's achievements as a regional ICT hub were also showcased at the International IT Fest 2015, which attracted more than 132,000 participants to 52 events over two weeks in April.

Since 2012, the government has put in place two incentives to encourage the conversion of industrial buildings into data centres and the development of high-tier data centres on industrial lots. As at the end of 2015, it has approved 15 applications.

Cyberport

The 24-hectare Cyberport is home to some 350 local, Mainland and overseas companies specialising in ICT applications, digital entertainment and multimedia content creation. Cyberport also provides the ICT and digital media industries with infrastructure and technical help, and facilitates the development of local SMEs and ICT start-ups through various support programmes.

Developments in E-government

Hong Kong is progressing in its next stage of e-government as it builds on the foundations laid over the past few years. The key developments include:

• Mobile applications: The government is keen to expand mobile e-government services for greater convenience of people on the go. As at December 2015, 122 government mobile apps are available for public use.

• Public-sector information: The public-sector information portal Data.Gov.HK provides data sets for free reuse in 18 categories, comprising more than 5,000 data sets. The government will continue to release free online government information in digital format with a view to opening up new business opportunities, bringing convenience to the public and benefiting society as a whole.

• Electronic health records: The first stage of the electronic Health Record (eHR) programme aims to set up a sharing platform to connect all public and private hospitals;

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