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David Evans

Hong Kong can use its long and successful history of international trade to launch itself as the region's leading electronic commerce centre, according to one of the 'fathers' of the Internet.

 Vint Cerf, senior vice-president for Internet Architecture and Technology for United States-based MCI WorldCom, said Hong Kong was faced with a marvellous opportunity.

 'There is no reason why you cannot translate that [history of international trade] into an electronic commerce trading activity equally as vibrant as the one you have now,' he said.

 Mr Cerf is credited with being a co-designer of the architecture and basic communication protocols that gave birth to the Internet and which are now in common use today.

 He said the fast pace at which electronic commerce - or e-commerce - was developing meant it was not too late for Hong Kong to launch itself on to the world technology stage.

 'The Internet is changing at such a rapid pace that almost anyone in the business is faced with the same challenge everyday, which is keeping up with the Internet,' Mr Cerf told an American Chamber of Commerce lunch.

 'So you are not late at all, you just have to get going,' Mr Cerf added.

 In its March Budget, the Government announced plans for a $13 billion Cyberport in Telegraph Bay, Pokfulam, in an effort to kick-start Hong Kong's Internet industry.

 The scheme, which also includes residential property development, will be developed by Richard Li Tzar-kai's Pacific Century Group.

 Mr Cerf said investment in infrastructure would be needed in order to be able to deliver Internet services throughout the region.

 The more competitive the environment, the more private investment there would be, and that would save the Government money.

 It would also speed up the rate at which the infrastructure was developed and evolved, he said.

 Mr Cerf said training people in the implementation, use and maintenance of the Internet was an important part of a forward-looking plan, and he hoped this would be recognised and pursued by the Government.

 He believed the mainland government recognised the importance of Internet technology to its economic well being, and its place in global trade.

 At the same time Beijing was showing some sensitivity to the free-flow of information that the Internet provided.

 'The same applied in the US, where Congress passed laws to restrict content on the Net that was considered unconstitutional in our world,' he said.



Not late for SAR to Cerf the Net