The theme "Local Excellence, Global Success" will focus on the environment, strategy, execution and culture of leveraging global, local and regional IT excellence for global, local and regional social, economic and business success.

In the past year, we have witnessed the beginning of a global, regional and local economic recovery spearheaded by the IT and Technology sector which is the least affected by the upward pricing fluctuations of the energy and oil sector. The resilience of the IT and Technology Sector itself has meanwhile improved as a result of both applying much more stringent levers of business and financial control and increasing the effectiveness of IT applications by refocusing on the openness and practicality of man-machine interfaces.

Let us continue to share the intellectual enlightening and warm fellowship which this important annual IT event has been offering us by our active participation in yet another successful HKICC.

"I remain confident that IT will continue as an important industry sector in the economic future of Hong Kong. Our integration into the larger economic sphere of the Pearl River Delta will inevitably lead to a more diversified industry base and a more rational re-distribution of industry resources. By leveraging on the combined strength of the region and consequently the ability to access a large market, I am confident that the Hong Kong IT industry will transform and will grow into prosperity with the recovery of our economy".

This optimism has been answered. 2004 is an important year for Hong Kong. The implementation of CEPA and the accelerated economic integration of Hong Kong into the Pearl River Delta have presented many opportunities to all of us in the IT industry. The combined IT industrial resources of the region give us the ability to access markets which are not previously available to us. Global Success built on our Local Excellence is now a reachable goal supported by the integrated strength of the region.

This year marks an important turning point of the IT industry. We will emerge from a mostly internal-demand driven, inward-looking industry as it was in the past into one eyeing at the global markets with outward-looking vision and perspective. Our total devotion to quality and our continued quest for excellence are steering this timely metamorphosis of the Hong Kong IT industry.

I extend my congratulation to the Hong Kong Computer Society for organizing another successful conference. The chosen theme message is highly relevant to the current developmental stage of the IT industry in Hong Kong.

The further advancement in information technology must be supported by the right environment and led by the relevant industry professionals. Through the implementation of the Digital 21 Strategy, the Government has played a key role in establishing an environment to promote innovations and application of technology. On the industry front, I must applaud the Hong Kong Computer Society for demonstrating industry leadership since its founding in 1970. This year is no exception. The Organizing Committee of HKICC2004 has once again brought together many distinguished local and foreign IT experts in this year's conference.

I sincerely wish the HKICC2004 every success. I look forward to exchanging experiences, views and ideas with all participants of the conference.

During the past few decades, IT did play very important role in changing our world, not only business economy, but also our community. By shortening production life-cycle, increasing business efficiency and productivity with the help of emerging market information acquired through the fast-paced boundary-less communication networks, IT infrastructure and applications help our economy stay competitive and drive to prosperity. By providing e-government services to the general public, adopting IT education in schools, applying intelligence in our daily lives' appliances, our community is migrating towards a knowledge society.

The conference theme "Local Excellence, Global Success" is indeed reflecting how IT, our powerful tools, to improve economic development. I wish the conference a great success and delegates would find it most stimulating and interesting.

The digital revolution has penetrated all corners of our lives. This important annual gathering echoes the phenomenon, for it unites business people, academics, government officials and information technology professionals in a stimulating forum where agendas can be shared, needs explored, and workable solutions proposed.

This year's conference calls on us in Hong Kong to face up squarely to the international reach and dimensions of our profession and to give fresh substance to the slogan "Local Excellence, Global Success". The mixture of entrepreneurship and sound investment, scholarship and applied knowledge, hard work and fortunate timing that helped propel Hong Kong so firmly into the digital age no doubt remains a useful recipe for success. If that success is to echo around the world, however, we need to be even more alert to future trends and innovations, deploying scarce resources wisely along clear policy lines.

Given the challenge of the conference programme and the quality of the participants, I am confident that all of us will reach the end of 2004 with a clearer vision of how Hong Kong can further contribute to and benefit from the march of globalization.

I wish HKICC2004 every success and hope that local and overseas participants will engage in lively debate, seek common ground and establish lasting professional and business relationships.

The Hong Kong International Computer Conference 2004 will be a very valuable occasion for IT and related enterprises to showcase their innovative IT applications and explore their adoption overseas, as its theme of "Local Excellence, Global Success" so succinctly expressed. Furthermore, the concurrently held Asia Pacific Information and Communications Technology Awards will surely enhance the opportunities for discussions and exchanges on latest IT issues with business users and IT professionals both locally and across the region.

I am sure the participants will appreciate and enjoy the impressive programme put together by the dedicated Programme Committee and organized by the hard-working Organizing Committee. I am sure that HKICC2004 would be a resounding success.

Congratulations to the Hong Kong Computer Society and the Organizing and Programme Committees in staging the HKICC2004. I wish HKICC2004 every success.

In the twenty seven years of HKICC, the impact of IT on society has been transformational. In every aspect of human endeavor, from business to leisure, from logistics to communications, from education to health care, all have been profoundly affected by the advances in information technology made during this period.

Here, in the Asian Pacific region, we have made phenomenal progress in the adoption and development of IT. In recognition of our achievements, the theme "Local Excellence, Global Success" has been chosen for our Conference to showcase some of the significant and innovative applications that have been developed here in Hong Kong and the region. By sharing the experience from these success stories, it is hoped that this will help further spur the adoption of the technology for the benefit of our society.

Besides reviewing past successes, the Conference has also invited a number of industry leaders to share their views and visions on technical and managerial issues of particular relevance to the growth of our region. HKICC will provide the opportunity for participants to meet and share ideas with fellow practitioners; such networking activities are invaluable for us to keep up with developments in our fast changing environment.

I would like to express my appreciation and gratitude to the members of the Organizing Committee and the Programme Committee as well as the staff members of the Hong Kong Computer Society for their dedication and hard work. Special thanks must go to the speakers and the panelists for their contribution, and to all sponsors for their generous and unfailing support, without which the conference could not be successful.

Finally, I would like to thank all delegates for participating in this conference. I hope that you will find the conference useful and enjoyable.