HK Govt to Put More Public Services OnlineThe full launch of the Electronic Service Delivery (ESD) Scheme Friday not only marks a breakthrough in public service delivery in Hong Kong but also breathes life into the government promise of making Hong Kong the IT hub of Asia.Anson Chan, acting chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), made the remarks when officiating at the grand launching ceremony of the ESD Scheme this afternoon. The scheme, a key initiative under the government's "Digital 21 " Information Technology Strategy, aims at developing Hong Kong into a leading digital city in the globally connected world and completely transforming the way in which public services are delivered. It will initially provide over 60 types of public services from more than 20 government departments and public agencies through a single portal which is accessible 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Chan noted that members of the public would no longer need to queue at counters in government offices during office hours to renew a driving or vehicle license, pay tax or apply for a business registration certificate, etc. "These services can be accessed through personal computers, or public computer facilities at community centers, post offices or public libraries; or at smartly-designed public kiosks installed in MTR or KCR stations, shopping malls, supermarkets, and government premises," she said. "From now onwards, waiting in line will be replaced by transacting online," she said. Over 70 public kiosks are already in operation, and the number will reach 100 in the next few months. Chan pledged that the government would continue to enhance the public services available through ESD. "Within this year, we will roll out new services including booking of sports and leisure activities, sales of government publications, registration to sit for public examinations, reservation of marriage dates and real-time traffic video," Chan said. |
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