I would like to congratulate The Hong Kong Computer Society for organizing “The 34th Hong Kong International Computer Conference”. This conference has already established itself as a key event in the region in which influential ICT stakeholders from industry, academia, and government can come together to share, exchange and contribute information, knowledge and insights of our trade.

As we all know, our interconnected and globalized society is gradually migrating from an industrial-based economy into a knowledge-based economy. This migration shall involve the participation of, among other disciplines, ICT in defining, executing and managing the process for producing knowledge, managing knowledge and utilizing knowledge.

At this conference, views and thoughts will be shared and exchanged by participants in exploring the new role-to-play by ICT professionals, in defining the rules and practices of the knowledge process above, particularly at the organization level, such that private and public organizations are capable of supporting their knowledge worker in generating business values, and preparing ourselves for this new role.

I am sure exciting results will emerge from this conference

My privilege is to observe the HKCS grow from strength to strength since its formation in 1978.The annual HKICC is one of its high lights of the year. I wish this event the success it deserves. The organizers put in much hard work and effort and I congratulate them.

Information and Communication Technology is one of the most rapidly advancing technologies in this digital age. Technology itself has little value, the innovation and effective design, development and application of ICT solutions can deliver significant value to organisations and greatly enhance our livelihood.

Today, no business can operate effectively and efficiently without the use of ICT, and ICT is having significant impact on our society. With new technologies emerging everyday, IT professionals and business executives need to constantly update themselves and understand emerging technology trends and their implications. Hong Kong International Computer Conference (HKICC), being the longest running events of this kind, provides an excellent forum to learn and exchange the latest developments and applications of information and communication technology.

Having participated in many past HKICCs, I found the conference very informative and stimulating. The speakers and panellists were always willing to share their expertise, experience and insights. I am sure that delegates to HKICC2011 will find the conference informative and enjoy a fruitful event!

I wish HKICC2011 every success.

Being a member of HKCS for over 40 years, I am honored to see the HKICC flourished since its inception in 1978. HKICC has undergone through stages of evolution and revolution in the last 32 years according to the shaping and reshaping of the IT industry locally and internationally.

I wish to extend gratification to the Organizing Committee and Program Committee for their relentless effort to develop the HKICC2011 theme “Delivering Sustainable Value in a Knowledge Economy – The Challenge for Hong Kong” focusing on the (a) the fast-growing trend in ICT such as Social Media, Mobile Applications, ICT Talent Cultivation and Development, IT Delivery Modes (Cloud Computing and alike) and deepening of the collaboration with PRC; and (b) the industry pillars like Banking and Finance, Logistics and Transportation, Health, and Hospitality and Tourism.

The HKICC2011 programs are attractive to ICT professionals and management, and general management and staff of related industries and enterprises. Do not miss out the chance for participating in this annual event.

Finally, may I wish HKICC2011 reaching another milestone for the ICT future!

Congratulations to the Hong Kong Computer Society on staging the Hong Kong International Computer Conference 2011. This is the latest in an uninterrupted series of such events spanning more than 30 years. The conferences have been instrumental in establishing IT as one of the most important aspects of life in Hong Kong, and all those who have contributed to their success are to be highly commended.

Technology now plays such a huge part in our lives that we can all too easily take it for granted. None the less all the underlying infrastructure needs continual maintenance and upgrading so that we can continue to “Deliver Sustainable Value in a Knowledge Economy” as called for by the theme of this Conference.

The Hong Kong Internet Registration Corporation which provides the engine room for the operation of .hk has been playing its part. Over the past year it has set up a second hot standby data centre, introduced .香港 domain names, as well as licensing multiple new registrars so as to provide competition in the registration of new .hk and .香港 domain names.

Octopus Holdings has introduced new Octopus terminals for use in taxis and recently signed an agreement with Guangdong Lingnan Tong to issue contactless smart cards that will work on the transport systems of both Hong Kong and Guangdong.

I wish HKICC2011 every success.

I would like to extend my warm congratulations to the HKCS and the Conference Organizing Committee chaired by Mr. Sunny Lee on the organizing of the 34th HKICC to be held on 23-24 November 2011.

The theme “Delivering Sustainable Value in a Knowledge Economy – The Challenge for Hong Kong” is timely for positioning the service-oriented economy in Hong Kong both to cope with the threats of the prolonged global economic downturn and to leverage the opportunities enabled by the China’s 12th five-year National Program.

“Hong Kong, as one of the world’s most open, vibrant and competitive economies,” said Chinese Vice-Premier Li Keqiang during his recent visit on August 17, “should continue to bring out her unique advantages and achieve greater development.” These advantages will show their value as China develops during the 12th five-year Program period up to 2015.

Sustainable value through further complementary development includes 36 new Chinese policies for Hong Kong SAR under 6 categories resulting in the opening up of the provision of professional services as part of the extended CEPA arrangement. The new policies in trade and finance confirm the now approved status of Hong Kong as the off-shore financial center of the RMB and her enhanced status as China’s international financial center. New measures include enhanced FDI for Hong Kong enterprises to invest directly in RMB; introduction of RQFII; and the set up of ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) combination for Mainland investors to invest in equities and other financial products traded in the HK.

During the 12th five-year period China plans to increase the service portion of her GDP from 43% to 47% representing an increase of about RMB 1600 billion. The new policies provide a vast market for the development of Professional services in Hong Kong especially in financial, IT, health and related management services.

In the longer term opportunities exist for the tertiary institutions in Hong Kong which excel in education and research. There is, of course, much room to improve in the co-operation and collaboration of the three areas of Government policies, business and entrepreneurial practice, and the extension of education in a global context.

I believe this conference is an opportune forum of exchanging ideas about how best to cope with the threats and challenges for leveraging the opportunities facing the knowledge economy of Hong Kong.

I wish the HKICC2011 every success.

Information technology plays a vital role in driving a society to become a knowledge-based economy. The power of the Internet, the up and rising trend of “cloud computing”, the development and growing popularity of social media platform - all add up to transform the way people live and do businesses in a flatter and more inter-connected world.

The Hong Kong Computer Society and many ICT industry partners should be commended for continuously working together to drive technological advancement for Hong Kong. This year, with the theme “Delivering Sustainable Value in a Knowledge Economy – The Challenge for Hong Kong”, HKICC 2011 presents many interesting ICT topics which contribute to different sectors of our society. Knowledge itself is meaningless, unless it is transformed, retained, delivered and used in a way that creates value to the society. HKICC is an excellent platform for us all to learn and gain thought-provoking ideas which will continue to deliver sustainable value to our society. We should be proud of our Hong Kong ICT professionals who have been and are working consistently to make Hong Kong becoming one of the most competitive cities in the world.

I here wish the HKICC 2011 every success and all participants a fruitful conference!

I wish the Hong Kong International Computer Conference 2011 deliberating on the topical theme “Delivering Sustainable Value in a Knowledge Economy – The Challenge for Hong Kong” under the able leadership of Sunny Lee every success.