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The Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) today (May 31) invited proposals under a new round of the Sector-specific Programme (SSP) to enhance the operational efficiency and business opportunities of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through the adoption of information and communications technology (ICT).
The new round of the SSP has not preset any targeted business sector. Non-profit making organisations, including industry associations of business sectors and ICT bodies, are invited to propose projects making use of ICT to develop applications and solutions which benefit SMEs and meet their business needs.
"The adoption of ICT is essential to enhancing operational efficiency, competitiveness and the business development of SMEs. The OGCIO set up the SSP in 2004 to provide funding support for projects that help drive e-business and ICT adoption in business sectors, targeting the SMEs," a spokesman for the OGCIO said.
To date, the OGCIO has sponsored 16 SSP projects for 12 business sectors, namely travel agencies, medical and health, drugstores, logistics, accountants, beauty service, watches and clocks, trade, social service, supply chain, security, and wholesale and retail. The projects encompass development of websites and applications as well as enhancement of IT skills to improve the operational efficiency of SMEs and their customers' experience. Over 10,000 SME practitioners have benefited from the programme.
"We have earmarked $3 million for the 2013-14 programme and aim at selecting three proposals from the applications for a one-off sponsorship," the spokesman said.
The invitation document is available at
www.ogcio.gov.hk/en/business/tender_eoi_rfp/eoi_rfi_rfq.htm. The deadline for submissions is August 9, 2013.
Ends/Friday, May 31, 2013
Issued at HKT 12:33
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