Legco sees proposal for technology bureau with HK$30 million budget

The government delivered a fresh proposal for an innovation and technology bureau to the Legislative Council yesterday, two years after Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying shelved the idea following a filibuster by lawmakers.

The administration is keen to establish the bureau, which legislators were told would focus mainly on IT development.

A government source said developing a digital ID for every Hongkonger and converting research into actual products would be among its key tasks.

Leung revived the idea in his policy address in January and the government hopes to set up the bureau this year. It would cost taxpayers relatively little - HK$29.8 million a year - said the document submitted to Legco.

In comparison, the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau spent more than HK$135 million on salaries alone in the last financial year.

People Power lawmaker Albert Chan Wai-yip expressed opposition to the new bureau and would not rule out a filibuster.

"We think an IT bureau has to incorporate innovation with production. The government has to launch an in-depth consultation before it applies for money to set up the bureau," Chan said. "We would not rule out staging a filibuster to block the plan."