A vigorous approach in information technology outsourcing has helped the Government achieve its target of providing an e-option for 90% of all public services amenable to online delivery, by the end of 2003.

Opening the Information Technology Professional Services Arrangement Conference today, Deputy Director of Information Technology Services Stephen Mak said outsourcing also enhances the effectiveness of IT management.

"In 2001, we reinforced our outsourcing strategy and our objectives to enlarge the delivery capacity for IT services, to accelerate the delivery of IT solutions and to create a market of sufficient size to encourage the further development of the IT industry locally," Mr Mak said.

At present, the Government outsources close to 90% of its new IT projects. It also started to outsource its application maintenance work in 2001.

23 agreements awarded to 12 companies 

"In June last year, we signed the Standing Offer Agreements under the arrangement as part of our outsourcing strategy to provide an effective tool for us to outsource IT projects," he said.

Twenty-three such agreements were awarded to 12 companies of varying sizes and origin.

Under the agreements, the 12 contractors provide IT professional services when required by government departments during a 30-month period that started on June 27 last year.

Since these agreements have been in force, 180 work assignments with a total value of $142 million have been awarded.

To enhance the governance structure for IT in support of e-government, the department has established more IT Management Units throughout the civil service.

So far, over 40 bureaux and departments have set up their IT Management Units.

Mr Mak expected that these IT Management Units will also adopt a vigorous outsourcing policy, adding that the department will facilitate them in adopting best management practices for managing outsourced IT projects.

Gov't outsourcing strategy highly ranked 

He quoted a recent study conducted by Accenture and the Economist Intelligence Unit on the outsourcing strategy of 23 governments, in which the Government ranked highly in terms of efficiency in both cost reduction and productivity.

The report, published in May, also highlighted the Government's success in adopting proven methodologies in its projects.