Hong Kong, as a business hub and a service industry centre, is still not taking enough advantage of the benefits of information technology, industry observers believe.
Once IT usage becomes more widespread, Hong Kong will raise its global competitiveness - and also multiply its employment opportunities for those with the appropriate skills and training. Unfortunately, at present Hong Kong's supply of IT professionals is greater than its demand.
Charles Mok, president of the Hong Kong Information Technology Federation and chief executive of Halo Systems (an IT systems integrator), believes that when small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) begin to look seriously at IT, the prospects for fresh graduates will improve.
The federation is a non-profit trade organisation with more than 300 corporate members, including software and hardware manufacturers, systems integrators and other IT service providers.
Fresh graduates, however, are having a challenging time entering the workforce.
The opportunities for young graduates appear limited; up to a few months ago less than half of the graduating class in IT found places in the market. The situation could develop into a large problem if action was not taken, Mr Mok said.