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The first Hong Kong Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Awards was launched today (April 7) to recognise and promote the outstanding achievements of local ICT professionals and organisations.
Supported by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer and organised by six local industry associations, the awards comprise seven categories in Hong Kong's priority ICT areas - digital entertainment, digital inclusion, eBusiness, eGovernment, eLearning, eYouth, and wireless technology.
Speaking at the awards' launch ceremony today, the Permanent Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology (Communications and Technology), Mr Francis Ho, said that the Government was committed to promoting a vibrant, competitive and innovation-driven ICT industry in Hong Kong.
"This is the first major collaborative effort of the local ICT industry, the academia and the Government to showcase our achievement and recognise excellence, innovation and creativity in a wide variety of ICT fields.
"The awards will give further visibility to our ICT industry by highlighting their achievements and capabilities. This will certainly help them, and the awardees in particular, in their marketing in the highly competitive markets in Hong Kong, the Mainland and the world," Mr Ho said.
The Government Chief Information Officer, Mr Howard Dickson, who is also the chairman of the organising committee for the awards, said this was a milestone for Hong Kong's ICT industry. "These awards are unique and the first in Hong Kong. They provide a clearer focus on Hong Kong's priority ICT areas, as well as encouraging greater participation of ICT players."
"The awards are not only important to the ICT industry, but will also foster development of applications relevant to a range of audiences," he said.
Each of the seven award categories will be organised by an industry-related organisation. The organisations are:
- Hong Kong Computer Society: eBusiness and eLearning
- Hong Kong Council of Social Service: digital inclusion
- Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association: digital entertainment
- Hong Kong Institution of Engineers-IT Division: eGovernment
- Hong Kong Wireless Technology Industry Association: wireless technology
- Internet Professional Association: eYouth
There will be one Grand Award in each award category and an "Award of the Year" will be selected among the seven Grand Awards.
The awards are now open for entries until June 16, 2006. After completion of the assessment and judging procedures, an award presentation ceremony will be held at the end of 2006.
Further information is available at the following website: www.hkictawards.hk. Enquiries can be made to the Secretariat Office of the Hong Kong ICT Awards 2006 on 2788 5669.
Ends/Friday, April 7, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:11
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