Advanced IT Infrastructure

Hong Kong's role as Asia's leading logistics, communications and financial hub has made it a natural location for the development of a sophisticated IT infrastructure. Today it is home to most of the world's leading IT companies.

Government Leadership

Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO)

The OGCIO was set up on 1 July 2004 to provide leadership for the development of information and communications technology (ICT) within and outside the Government.

The OGCIO provides a single focal point with responsibility for ICT policies, strategies, programmes and measures under the Digital 21 Strategy, in addition to providing information technology (IT) services and support within the Government. The GCIO will be accountable for the Government's investment in ICT.

Digital 21 Strategy

First published in 1998, the Digital 21 IT Strategy aimed to drive Hong Kong’s development as a leading digital city in the globally connected world of the 21st century. The live document is reviewed on a 3-year basis to take into account the evolving needs of the community and technological advancements.

The 2008 Digital 21 Strategy has identified five action areas for further driving ICT development and adoption in Hong Kong in the coming years:

Facilitating a digital economy;
Promoting advanced technology and innovation;
Developing Hong Kong as a hub for technological cooperation and trade;
Enabling the next generation of public services; and
Building an inclusive, knowledge-based society

A Sophisticated Market

Hong Kong is among the world's most advanced users of IT. PC, Internet and mobile phone penetration rates are high. The broadband network now reaches all commercial buildings and virtually all residential buildings. Hong Kong ranked 1st in Asia and 2nd globally in the Economist Intelligence Unit's e-readiness survey 2008.

Over 17 million smart payment cards are in use in a city with a tech-savvy population of around 7 million. The territory-wide ID card replacement with the smart ID card with multiple-application capability was rolled out in June 2003, and completed in 2007.

Hong Kong is home to most of the world's leading IT companies.

IP Protection

With a view to enhancing strict protection of intellectual property rights, a stringent new intellectual property law was introduced in 2001. It put Hong Kong among the leaders in this regard in Asia. Infringements of intellectual property rights associated with computer software, films and music are now a criminal offence. Copyright arises automatically, computer software as well as works made available on the internet environment are protected.

Multi-national Talents and Infrastructure

On top of local talent, the government encourages hiring foreign nationals with the appropriate skills and qualifications. It is also increasingly easy to source talent globally under the Quality Migration Admission Scheme introduced in June 2006.

Special facilities equipped with the requirements of IT sector companies include:

Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI), Cyberport and Hong Kong Science and Technology Park.