Assisting SMEs in Using Information Technology(2013/06/05)

MR YIU SI-WING: President, in 31 May 2013, the authorities launched a new round of the SSP, setting aside $3 million as sponsorship for SMEs, but I think the amount set aside is not large. May I ask the Secretary which industries will be subsidized mainly and whether there is any plan to give priority to certain industries, including the tourism industry?

SECRETARY FOR COMMERCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: President, the SSP was introduced in 2004. In the past, we did focus on certain industries each year and invite them to submit proposals to us regarding their technology needs. As I mentioned in the main reply, we have provided support to 16 projects for 12 sectors since 2004, including the tourism services of travel agents.
In view of the increasing demand for IT of various trades and industries, in the new round of the SSP this year, we have not specified certain industries this time but made the programme open to all trades and industries for application. As for the sponsoring amount, $3 million has been set aside for the time being, yet we are open in this respect. If it is necessary and if the response is enthusiastic, and if the trade considers it necessary to put in more resources to assist certain industries in developing IT, we will re-examine the sponsorship amount.