The Hong Kong SAR Government today (March 23) signed the first Arrangement on Cooperation with Japan to forge closer ties in the development and cooperation of information and communications technology (ICT).

The Arrangement was signed by the Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, Mr John Tsang, and the Vice-Minister for Policy Coordination, Ministry of Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications of Japan, Mr Kozo Takahara.

Mr Tsang said that the signing of the ICT co-operative arrangement marked another important milestone in forging the partnership between Japan and Hong Kong.

"This Arrangement provides a framework for co-operation in a wide range of ICT areas covering broadband and wireless communications, multimedia, e-commerce, e-government, manpower development and measures to bridge the digital divide.

"With the full implementation of the Mainland/Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) this year and our vast experience and connection with the Mainland, Hong Kong can play a highly useful role in facilitating the Japanese ICT industry in exploring the Mainland market, especially the consumer market in the affluent Pearl River Delta region.

"I would like to take this opportunity to encourage Japanese companies, especially small and medium sized enterprises, to partner with Hong Kong companies to grasp the enormous business opportunities offered by the Mainland market," Mr Tsang said.

Mr Takahara said: "I believe it is very significant to enter into the Arrangement on Co-operation with Hong Kong where the world's foremost infrastructures in information and communication have been in place. For example, the penetration rate of broadband is 52 per cent of the households and the penetration rate of mobile phone is 106 per cent of the population.

"I hope all of you will give us your cooperation and assistance so that through this Arrangement on Cooperation in the ICT field, people in the Asian countries and territories will benefit from ICT and both Hong Kong and Japan can join together to promote the Asian Broadband Programme.

"From April 1, HKSAR and BNO passport holders will be exempt from the requirement of visa for short-term stay in Japan. I hope that this Arrangement in conjunction with the visa-free access will further promote not only the exchange in the ICT field, but also will broaden the exchange in human interaction," Mr Takahara said.

According to the Arrangement, Hong Kong and Japan will foster their ICT cooperation through the following activities:

* Exchange of information and materials on ICT, and establishment of channels for exchange of information as appropriate.
* Exchange of officials, experts and students in the field of ICT.
* Facilitation and organisation of joint programmes including ICT seminars, symposia, and missions.
* Facilitation and promotion of joint business events, activities and opportunities to encourage commercial ventures.

Ends/Tuesday, March 23, 2004