Hong Kong will make every effort to ensure the ITU Telecom World
2006 exhibition is a success and reinforce the city's image as the
world's events capital, a government official of the Hong Kong
Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) said on Tuesday.
"It's the largest and most prestigious exhibition and forum
event held in Hong Kong in recent years," said Joseph WP Wong,
secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology of the HKSAR
government.
Speaking at a press conference Wong explained the event,
organized by the International Telecommunication Union and hosted
by Hong Kong, would run from December 4 to 8 at AsiaWorld-Expo.
This is the first time the exhibition, regarded as the "Olympics"
of the telecommunications industry, is being held outside
Geneva.
This prominent event provides an invaluable platform for the
information and communications technology (ICT) sector to showcase
their achievements and exchange views and information with their
counterparts from around the world, Wong said.
"Most importantly, hosting the event enhances Hong Kong's role
as the gateway to the Mainland market and further increases Hong
Kong's image as the world's events capital," Wong said. Highlights
of the exhibition and forum will be broadcast at the website of
Radio Television Hong Kong and on the morning programs of TVB's
Jade and Pearl channels, he added.
All 66,000 square meters of exhibition space have been leased
with 630 international ICT companies showcasing their latest
technologies and services. Among the exhibitors 145 are from the
Chinese mainland and 71 from Hong Kong.
It’s estimated that the event will attract up to 60,000 visitors
generating a direct economic benefit of about HK$900 million
(US$115.68 million).
"We’ll implement temporary traffic arrangements including
traffic diversions and adjustment of traffic light signals to
relieve congestion to and from the airport and AsiaWorld-Expo as
well as in the urban areas when necessary," said Cindy Law,
assistant commissioner for Transport of the HKSAR government.
She said the Transport Department would work closely with the
police and others to monitor the traffic situation and implement
special measures when necessary.
Telecom World 2006 will comprise two parts…a world-class
exhibition and a high-level forum.
(Xinhua News Agency November 29, 2006)