ITB passed

The Finance Committee of LegCo has approved the funding proposal for the Innovation and Technology Bureau and it is expected to be up-and-running in 2 weeks' time. Besides promoting R&D, re-industrialisation and spurring private investment, it should also address local IT people’s concerns, create more opportunities and establish a clearer career path. I will follow up my suggestions made earlier to the government, continue to listen to the industry and monitor the new ITB’s work closely. Share your comment here.

IT manpower

The seminar on “IT Manpower Crunch” received overwhelming response. Over 150 participants had a thoughtful dialogue with our speakers, for which I was truly grateful. I released the findings from our IT workers' survey, which helped bring out deeper issues in the discussion, e.g. working hours, education system, quality of IT graduates, training opportunities, professional certification, salary of outsourced positions, employer expectations, etc. Check out our survey findings here.

Taxi Apps

LegCo Panel on Transport discussed taxi service and car-hailing app at my request today (6/11). The government is inclined to issue premium taxi franchise, to which I expressed concern towards perpetuating the monopoly in existing taxi industry, attempting to address internet-enabled models by resorting to old methods. I will continue to facilitate dialogue between the government and operators, and seek to enhance the permit mechanism for hired cars, to promote a level playing field for all.