WTC MACAU AND IBM HOLD JOINT EVENTS TO PROMOTE E-BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT IN MACAU

   The WTC Macau and IBM China/Hong Kong Limited held two information technology events earlier this year to promote e-business applications in Macau.

   The first event, which took place on February 16, was an IT study tour. The tour was headed by WTC Macau Executive Director, Joe Tang, and our invited advisor, Tou Veng Keong, Co-ordinator of the Office for Development of Telecommunications and Information Technology of the Macau Special Administrative Region Government. The tour, comprising 25 participants such as local IT practitioners, university lecturers, and senior executives, visited three Hong Kong IT institutions: IBM China/Hong Kong Limited, Skynet Limited and E-Supply Chain Management Ltd.

   The second event, held on March 29, was an e-banking seminar that aimed at introducing e-banking applications and technology to local bankers. Two invited speakers, Wo Kit Chan and Edmond Kwan, gave a comprehensive overview of e-banking in Hong Kong, security management and business models and issues of e-banking. Above 50 IT practitioners attended the seminar.

   After the Third East Asian Games, which will be held in Osaka on May 19-27, the Macau Special Administrative Region Government will host the Fourth East Asian Games in 2005.

   The Government's Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Dr. Fernando Chui Sai On, will head a delegation of over 200 members, comprising representatives from different social sectors, at the Osaka East Asian Games' Closing Ceremony, where its members will be handed the official flag to host the Fourth East Asian Games in Macau. To give its full support to the 2005 East Asian Games, the Macau SAR Government set up a special East Asian Games 2005 Co-ordination Office on September 8, 2000.

   The World Trade Center Macau has been given the great honour to participate in the preparations for the Fourth East Asian Games.