Online IT Solution Directory Offers Platform for Hong Kong-Mainland Business Partnership

Local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can now conduct online search of appropriate IT business partners and solutions, as well as CEPA related information with the help of the IT Solution Directory jointly developed by the Hong Kong Information Technology Federation (HKITF) and Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC), and funded by the SME Development Fund of the HKSAR Government.

Now available for free access on the Internet at www.itsolution.org.hk, the new edition of the IT Solution Directory comprises two sections – the "IT Solution Directory" and "Online Collaborative Partnership Platform", a new feature that provides a comprehensive database of IT solution providers in Hong Kong to facilitate business collaborations among enterprises in Hong Kong and the Mainland.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Mr Daniel Ng, President of the HKITF, said, "As one of the key initiatives under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by the HKITF, HKPC, the Guangzhou Tianhe Software Park (GDSP) and Jiangxi Jinlu Software Park (JJSP) at the 4th Pan-PRD Regional Cooperation IT Department Directors Joint Conference in Nanchang, PRC, in June 2005, the IT Solution Directory aims to foster collaboration between software sectors in Hong Kong and the Mainland to tap the new business opportunities arising from the agreement on the Mainland/Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA)."

According to Mr Ng, the IT Solution Directory is linked with the Guangzhou Software Enterprise Resources Network (www.itsolution.org.cn) developed by the GDSP. Through this channel, close to 1,000 IT solutions from Hong Kong's services providers have been promoted to potential customers in the Mainland. Meanwhile, Hong Kong companies have access to the partnership opportunities offered by their Mainland counterparts. "It is hoped that through closer co-operation between Hong Kong and the Mainland, enterprises on both sides will be able to further expand into the global market," he said.

Highlighting the features of the Directory, Mr K T Yung, General Manager (Information Technology Industry Development), HKPC, said, "The 'Online Collaborative Partnership Platform' of the Directory contains a comprehensive database of IT solution providers in Hong Kong which is classified according to their business nature, technical capabilities, manpower, products and services as well as project experience for ease of business matching. Through the Platform, users can search for appropriate IT partners based on individual requirements such as company information, technology, IT solutions, clients and services."

In addition, the "Partnership Opportunities" section provides an ideal channel for IT solution providers or users to search business partners or IT venders. Registered solution providers can post their requests for IT solutions and services for a particular project. A web-based conferencing and negotiation facility is also available to enable information exchange once a potential partnership is identified.

To meet the needs of the industry, a CEPA Corner has been included to provide the latest information on CEPA and related useful links.

For further details on the Directory, please contact HKPC's Ms Amanda Chu at (852) 2788 5842 or email to amandac@hkpc.org.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Ms Betty Lee
General Manager
Corporate Communications & Events
Tel: 2788-5036
Fax: 2788-5056
E-mail: emilyc@hkpc.org

1 November 2005