Rising hope: Members of the Do IT! coalition release balloons at the launch of their campaign aimed at making it easy for small companies to adopt technology.

Hong Kong's use of information technology has risen dramatically in its fight against SARS, the Secretary for Commerce, Industry & Technology said. Now, a coalition of IT organisations aims to turn this trend into an advantage as Hong Kong recovers.

Speaking at the launch of the Do IT! campaign at Cyberport today, Henry Tang said: "The building of Cyberport, with the Hong Kong Government's support for the whole IT development, working together with industry, we are now well on our way to realising the potential of IT."

The Government and the IT community aim to use IT as a force to create opportunities and strengthen Hong Kong's fighting spirit while it recovers from the devastating economic effects of the SARS crisis.

To that end, the Do IT! coalition launched a $17 million programme aimed at helping small businesses adopt IT to enhance efficiency and productivity - and ensure business continuity in crisis situations.

The coalition has the support of he Commerce, Industry & Technology Bureau and the Hong Kong Productivity Council, which will administer the Do IT! Small Enterprises Support Scheme - one of three programmes launched today.

"Many medium and large enterprises around the world are already benefiting from automating their business processes," said Charles Mok, President of the Hong Kong Information Technology Federation which organised the coalition. "But for the truly small enterprises, those with less than 10 employees, setting up their first IT system can be a daunting task."

Support scheme makes IT easy, affordable

The support scheme makes it easy: eligible companies can apply to purchase a new HP or IBM personal computer equipped with Microsoft software for just $888 - including delivery, installation and training. There will be 2,000 computers available under the programme.

Applications are available from the Support & Consultation Office for SMEs at 700 Nathan Road in Mongkok, at the Public Enquiry Service Centres of District Offices, and at the HKPC Builiding at 78 Tat Chee Avenue in Kowloon Tong. They can also be downloaded from the Do IT! website, www.hkdoit.com.hk, or by fax on demand from the enquiry hotline, 3164 2660.

Value scheme extends support

Under the Do IT! Value Scheme, coalition members will offer IT products and services at discounted prices to help Hong Kong companies jumpstart their IT systems.

Forum will examine IT's advantage in healthcare

In July, the coalition will host the IT in Health Forum to explore the ways IT can help in information capture, analysis, dissemination, infection tracking and centralised collection of epidemiological information from widespread agencies.

The forum's convenor is Winnie Tang, the Chief Executive Officer of ESRI China (Hong Kong) Limited, a Cyberport tenant and developer of high-tech mapping software. "Our dream is to turn Hong Kong into a hygienic city via environmental protection, education of people, management of old district rebuilding, cleaning of water pipes and streets, and so on - and all these need the help of IT," she said.

Government supports private-sector initiative

Secretary Tang expressed his confidence that Hong Kong is well within reach of containing SARS. "There is light at the end of the tunnel - and this light at the end of the tunnel is not the headlight of an oncoming train," he said.

He also paid tribute to healthcare workers "who have made the ultimate sacrifice" by risking their health and their lives in taking care of SARS patients.

The private-sector initiative is welcome and timely, he added. "I am delighted to see that the local IT community has come together, swiftly and on its own initiative, to launch the 'DO IT!' campaign and help encourage local businesses to use IT."