Digital Economy Development Committee established with 1st meeting tentatively scheduled for July

The Financial Secretary Paul Chan announced in the 2022-23 Budget that the Government would set up a committee to accelerate the progress of the digital economy in Hong Kong. The Government announced today (June 22) the establishment of the Digital Economy Development Committee. The first meeting of the Committee is tentatively scheduled for July 2022.

The Committee will advise the Government on the development of the digital economy with a focus on the following:

• identifying key development trends, main drivers, key success factors and development initiatives;
• setting directions, strategies, focus areas, priorities and key performance indicators;
• formulating strategies and measures to enhance co-operation and co-ordination with key stakeholders;
• driving the growth of data services as an industry;
• formulating strategies and measures to encourage the adoption of digitalisation by different industries; and
• promoting digital government.

The Committee will be chaired by the Financial Secretary. Members of the Committee comprise industry experts and scholars as well as relevant government officials. They are appointed by the Financial Secretary for a period of two years.

The Financial Secretary, Paul Chan, said, "I look forward to the close co-operation with members of the Committee, making strategic recommendations on the digitalisation of different sectors of the economy and development of data services as an industry. Together, we will work to outline a blueprint for developing a digital economy for Hong Kong, which would not only expedite and spearhead the related developments with a focus, but help lay a good foundation for Hong Kong's continuous economic upgrade and transformation in future."

The membership of the Committee is as follows:

Chairman:

Financial Secretary

Official Members:

Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury

Secretary for Innovation and Technology (Note: To be renamed as Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry with effect from July 1, 2022.)

Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development

Deputy Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority

Government Economist

Government Chief Information Officer

Non-official Members (in alphabetic order):

Dr Rocky Cheng

Mr Herbert Chia

Mr Duncan Chiu

Ms Susanna Hui

Mr Sean Lee

Dr Kelvin Leung

Mr James Li

Ms Anna Lin

Professor Helen Meng

Dr Harry Shum

Mr Allen Yeung

Mr Eric Yeung

Mr Alex Yung