The Hong Kong government signed a contract with Timbo Star Investment Limited on November 12 on implementing the first phase of the government's Electronic Service Delivery (ESD) scheme.

With the fulfillment of the contract, the public will be able to enjoy on-line services delivered by 10 government departments and public agencies in less than a year.

The services to be delivered under the first phase of the scheme include payment of government bills, submission of tax returns, purchase of tax reserve certificates, job searches, renewal of driving and vehicle licenses, voter registration, as well as information look-up for tourists.

The ESD scheme is a key initiative under the "Digital 21" IT Strategy to promote a wider use of IT in the community.

Under the contract, Timbo Star will provide the system to deliver ESD services for the government for five years. The contract can be extended for two more years on the same terms at the option of the government.

"The company is planning to complete the implementation of the project within 11 months," said K.C. Kwong, secretary for information and technology and broadcasting at the contract signing ceremony.

"We have full confidence in its capability and commitment and we can expect that the first phase of the ESD scheme will be up and running in October 2000," he said.

Timbo Star is a joint venture of Hutchison Communications Limited and Compaq Computer Limited.

Kwong said that the implementation of the ESD scheme has also another important mission -- to familiarize the public with the conduct of electronic business, give them confidence in such transactions and encourage them to purchase goods and services offered by the private sector over the Internet.

"Our vision is to make Hong Kong a leading digital city in the globally connected world in the 21st century. Implementation of the ESD scheme will be an important step towards achieving that," he stressed.