Hong Kong’s know-how minister has mentioned the federal government has stumbled in some current efforts to launch digital initiatives, pledging to be taught from the previous and enhance future companies.

Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong on Sunday mentioned the administration had rolled out greater than 200 measures in over a 12 months, with solely a small quantity experiencing mishaps.

“Regarding those that were not launched smoothly, the government expresses its apologies to the public for the extent of the inconvenience caused,” Sun mentioned on a radio present. “We will do a better job in future.

“Despite the problems, the government will not slow down its progress in launching more digital services.”

Hong Kong may welcome more top European, US and Asian firms in early 2024: minister

Sun mentioned authorities have been studying from their expertise to do higher, including {that a} “discrepancy” existed between the acceleration of digital governance and town’s present IT ecosystem, together with the federal government’s personal methods.

He added that the federal government would work on bettering its methods, insurance policies and staffing points.

Sun anticipated that the launch of the Digital Policy Office, proposed within the coverage deal with in October final 12 months, would assist future measures and preparations.

The minister additionally mentioned authorities aimed to roll out one other 112 digital initiatives this 12 months and supply on-line cost choices for all paid public companies by June.

The authorities’s digital infrastructure has been within the highlight following high-profile failures in the direction of the top of final 12 months.

In November, many residents have been unable to order sports activities venues on-line when the Leisure and Cultural Services Department launched its new reserving system, SmartPLAY. The authorities later defined that the system did not deal with the massive variety of customers, which had surged from a couple of thousand previously to about 200,000 on the day of the launch.

Authorities additionally got here below hearth over an digital voter registration system failure that briefly interrupted polling in the course of the district council election final month. The authorities prolonged voting hours after the incident, however drew criticism from political events who mentioned their candidates had been affected.

Hong Kong, mainland China to launch pilot scheme to make data sharing easier

Separately, Sun mentioned about 40 main IT firms had or deliberate to arrange workplaces within the metropolis following a authorities push previously 12 months.

He mentioned the administration had made some progress in the direction of its goal of luring 100 know-how firms to Hong Kong over 5 years, which he famous could be a tough activity.

A couple of dozen firms had utilized to signal contracts with firms in mainland Chinese cities within the Greater Bay Area to entry their information, he mentioned.

The bay space is an financial zone combining Hong Kong, Macau and 9 cities in Guangdong province with a joint inhabitants of 86 million.

Sun mentioned Hong Kong information was protected by the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance and will solely be exported exterior town with the permission of people.