Recommendations to 2015 Policy Address and 2015-16 Budget December 2014
Charles Mok, Legislative Councillor (IT)
Office of the Hon Charles Mok, Legislative Councillor (IT)
Recommendations to 2015 Policy Address and 2015-16 Budget
Key Recommendations 1.
In 2015-16, earmark $100 million to establish a ‘SME Technology Adoption Fund’ to provide subsidy on matching basis to local SMEs in two other industries such as travel and business services, to implement projects that enhance productivity, operation efficiency, business transformation using information and communication technology or other technologies to enhance their overall competitiveness.
2.
In 2015-16, earmark $10 million to launch a 3-year initiative with collaboration between the Efficiency Unit and the OGCIO on the theme of Open Government Data, initiatives include: establishing an ‘Open Government Data Working Group’ to engage stakeholders on a regular basis, cross-department trial schemes, support civic hackers to develop apps with the government and utilize public sector information to enhance efficiency of government services, regular progress update on PSI release plan, conduct and support user focus group, hackathons and international dialogues, sending officials to attend international open data meetings, public education and promotion etc.
3.
In 2015-2016, suggested themes for OGCIO subsidized projects: smart city, e-commerce and financial technology. Recommended initiatives include a ‘Smart City Challenge’ to invite local and international technology industry and academics to form teams and formulate smart city solutions on a number of designated local policy areas such as education, environment and welfare. Teams to submit trial programs with a focus on feasibility, chosen proposals will receive seed funding and 1 year sponsorship of co-working space membership to encourage using innovation and technology to solve social problems.
4.
In 2015-2016, earmark $18 million for the Home Affairs Bureau to initiate a 2-year trial of ‘Enhancement of Digital Services for District Council ‘ in 3 DCs, to strengthen the connection of DCs and encourage citizens to participate in local affairs, recommended initiatives include: revamp DC websites, publish DC minor works and subsidized projects funding information in machine-readable format, release DC updates and solicit residents comment via social media, live webcast of DC meetings, recruit ICT tertiary students to lead secondary school students to understand DC work and community through Internet;
5.
In 2015-16, earmark $5 million for the Development Bureau to conduct a feasibility study of optimizing the use of older industrial buildings, Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme, revitalization projects under the Urban Renewal Authority to establish ‘Innovation Labs’ for early stage start-up; Collaborate with InvestHK and OGCIO of CEDB to identify suitable, accessible locations to provide low cost, small co-working spaces to support innovation and technology development. 1
Office of the Hon Charles Mok, Legislative Councillor (IT)
Recommendations to 2015 Policy Address and 2015-16 Budget
6.
Inject $300 million to Innovation and Technology Commission in 2015-16 to re-establish the ‘Applied Research Fund’ and invest in commercially viable projects with scaling potential. The fund should be managed by professional asset managers with experience and strong business acumen, with a view of attracting local and global technology start-up entrepreneurs. In conjunction with the HKMA and SFC, launch a study regarding financial technology innovation and financing for startup companies, with a focus on recommending measures and changes in the legal framework to facilitate angel investment, venture capital and private equity.
7.
Earmark $200 million in 2015-16 to establishing a ‘Technology Education Development Fund’, through which engineering, ICT, computer science and related faculties/departments of UGCfunded institutes can apply for funding to enhance curriculum of related programmes (e.g. develop course contents that matches the needs of the ICT industry, enrich students’ learning experience and launching more courses on future technology trends), to improve teaching and learning standards on innovative technologies and support diversification of Hong Kong’s economy and nurture talents for emerging industries. (Suggested maximum amount of funding support for each approved project is $1.5 million or 90% of the approved project expenditure, whichever is the less)
8.
Earmark $30 million in 2015-16 to the OGCIO for launching a new ‘ICT Ambassador Program’ to recruit secondary school students with potential and passion in technology and innovation to participate each year. Participants will join local workshops aim at acquainting them with prospects in ICT development, R&D, entrepreneurship, be paired with a mentor from local industries. Outstanding students will have internship opportunity at international ICT firms, overseas universities or R&D organisations and share their experience upon return, to inspire our youth to pursue technology and innovation as a career.
9.
Earmark $400 million in 2015-16 to 2017-18 to increase the annual grant level of the Composite Information Technology Grant (CITG) to provide resources to schools for improving network infrastructure, equipment, computer hardware/software and technician support, to improve readiness for implementing eLearning territory-wide.
10. Raise the subsidy level for Continuous Education Fund (CEF) to $20,000 per person, earmark 150 million to the SFAA, and broaden the sector of reimbursable courses to cover ‘Information and Communication Technology’ and encourage course providers to provide related courses that maintain competitiveness of local talent in technology following the Digital 21 strategy. 11. From 2015-16, inject $5 million to the OGCIO for the establishment of a three-year ‘International ICT Awards Incentive Scheme’ to encourage local enterprises to enter 2
Office of the Hon Charles Mok, Legislative Councillor (IT)
Recommendations to 2015 Policy Address and 2015-16 Budget
recognized international ICT awards, and provide additional incentive and publicity for awardees from recent 3 years and after to promote and recognize local innovation and technology development (Suggested maximum funding amount for each awarded company: $100,000)
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