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)