In an increasingly competitive and digitally connected world, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) plays an increasingly important role in the economic development of Hong Kong. Moving towards the goal of an inclusive, knowledge-based society, we need to ensure that the benefits of ICT adoption are widely available to different segments of the community. The Government is committed to empowering individuals and businesses, including disadvantaged groups and small and medium enterprises, to build an inclusive information society under which everyone can create, access, utilise and share information and knowledge thereby achieving their full potential and improving their quality of life.

The theme “IT Challenges in a Caring and Digitally Connected Society” of the Hong Kong International Computer Conference 2010 provides an excellent opportunity for all stakeholders to share their knowledge and views in bridging the digital divide and devise solutions to address the challenges.

I would also like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the Hong Kong Computer Society for staging this inspiring event every year. The Society has been playing a significant role in the development of the local ICT industry for the last few decades. I wish the Conference every success.

在競爭日益激烈、數碼網絡相連的世界，資訊及通訊科技在促進香港經濟發展上愈見舉足輕重。在香港邁向成為數碼共融的知識型社會的目標之際，我們須確保社會各階層普遍都能享受應用資訊及通訊科技所帶來的好處。政府正致力協助個人和工商界，包括弱勢社羣和中小型企業，建設一個數碼共融的資訊社會，讓每個人都建立、獲取、使用和分享資訊與知識，從而盡展潛能，提升生活質素。

以「IT展關懷」為主題的香港國際電腦會議2010，為各持份者提供了大好良機，讓他們分享在消除數碼隔膜方面的知識和心得，制訂方案應付各種挑戰。

香港電腦學會每年都舉辦這項甚具啟發意義的活動，我想藉此機會向學會致意。在過去數十年，香港電腦學會在推動本地資訊及通訊科技業發展方面，一直擔當着重要角色。祝願這次會議圓滿成功。