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Yvonne Chan

The Hong Kong information technology (IT) sector has lost out so far this year in the race for project funding by the government's Industrial Support Fund.

 Of 20 submissions by the sector, only one project - by the Hong Kong Productivity Council - was approved for backing by the Industry and Technology Development Council (ITDC).

 The venture, named Software Quality Assurance Model for Hong Kong, was allotted $4.1 million.

 The model will develop a set of procedures, forms and tools intended to improve overall software development processes and thus create better quality products.

 Of the 41 projects approved recently, 18 are related to biotechnology, seven are in textiles and clothing, six in the metals sector, three in electronics, one in IT, and two each in the plastics sector and general category.

 Classified by organisation, 19 are from higher educational institutions, 13 from industrial support bodies, six from trade and industrial bodies, two from research institutes and one from the Industry Department.

 The Industrial Support Fund, established in 1994, supports projects which contribute to local industrial and technological development and the competitiveness of manufacturing industries.

 Annie Choi, ITDC secretary and assistant Director-General of Industry, said 'there was definitely no prejudice involved' in the approval process as the IT sector projects were vetted by the IT committee of the ITDC.

 The 17-member committee is made up of industry members, such as academics and software developers.

 'It is the IT people that vet the applications themselves.'  Ms Choi said the committee had just found the applicants did not fit the criteria used in the selection process.

 'The main criterion adopted by the ITDC was whether there was a genuine need in the industry for the technology or support services provided,' Ms Choi said.

 Chiang Kam-siu, IT committee secretary, noted that 21 projects submitted by the IT sector over the past three years had been approved for funding.

 'You have to look at the whole picture instead of one year. I think this year was just a particular case.'  A total of 213 projects have been supported by the Industrial Support Fund since its inception.

 The funds for the newly approved projects will be disbursed next month.

 A total of $92 million is available for new applications this year.

 The ITDC will continue to consider applications until the funds are exhausted.

 Ms Choi said more than 20 new applications already had been received.



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IT sector loses out in race to secure government funding