Local ICT achievements commended at Hong Kong ICT Awards 2018
4.4.2018

The presentation ceremony for the Hong Kong ICT Awards (HKICTA) 2018, which aim to promote innovation in the information and communications technology (ICT) industry, was held today (April 4). Defeating seven other Grand Award category winners with its winning entry BelunTM Ring, Belun Technology Company Limited received the Award of the Year from the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, this evening. Speaking at the ceremony, Mrs Lam praised the winners for their innovative leadership and for the products, applications and business solutions they had brought to creative life. She said, "The Government is determined to create a flourishing innovation and technology environment here in Hong Kong. But we cannot do it alone, which is why I am so encouraged by the winners of this year's ICT Awards. More than building businesses, you serve as role models, inspiring our youth, showing them the way to a future that will surely reward us all." She also mentioned the enhancements to quality of life through the application of innovation and technology. "I am naturally delighted to see that the new award categories respond so well to our Smart City Blueprint," she said. This year, a total of eight award categories were open for competition. To tie in with the Government's vision to make Hong Kong a world-leading smart city, three new awards, namely the Smart Living Award, the Smart People Award and the Smart Mobility Award were introduced to encourage development of smart products, services and mobile applications related to healthcare, households, tourism and healthy aging. Technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things and big data analytics were employed by the competing entries to offer innovative and convenient solutions for daily living. The HKICTA attracted over 1 160 entries, with the largest number competing for the Student Innovation Award. This reflects the rising interest in research and development (R&D) among the young generation, where an atmosphere favourable to innovation and technology (I&T) development has gradually built up in the past few years. It also proves that organising R&D competitions and activities for youth is conducive to cultivating Hong Kong's I&T culture and nurturing local R&D talents. The HKICTA has become a breeding ground for outstanding I&T enterprises in Hong Kong, with past winners triumphing in various regional and international competitions. Many of them have achieved success in business and even expanded their presence to overseas markets. During the past year, a total of 11 winning entries from the last HKICTA have won at the Asia Pacific ICT Alliance Awards, the Global ICT Excellence Awards and the Asia Smart App Awards. Their excellence has not only reinforced the HKICTA's status as an international professional award, but also shows Hong Kong's strength in I&T. To commend winners' stamina and achievement in pursuing innovations, the Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Nicholas W Yang, presented awards to the Grand Award winners of various categories this evening. The Grand Award winners are: Award category (Leading Organiser) Grand Award winner (winning entry) Digital Entertainment Grand Award (Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association) Hehaaa Production Ltd (Passing Rain) FinTech Grand Award (Hong Kong Institute of Bankers) The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Ltd (PayMe) ICT Startup Grand Award (Hong Kong Business Angel Network) Belun Technology Company Limited (BelunTM Ring) Smart Business Grand Award (Hong Kong Computer Society) Fano Labs Ltd. (Multilingual Artificial Intelligence Customer Service System) Smart Living Grand Award (Hong Kong Information Technology Federation) Belun Technology Company Limited (BelunTM Ring) Smart Mobility Grand Award (GS1 Hong Kong) BPS Global Holdings Ltd (DKSH Hong Kong Smart Automated Warehouse Solution) Smart People Grand Award (Hong Kong Council of Social Service) Caritas Information Technology Advancement Centre / Caritas Hong Kong – Services for the Elderly (eCare® - Wireless Elderly Care Management System) Student Innovation Grand Award (Hong Kong New Emerging Technology Education Association) Au Chun Ming/Lai Chi Kin Benjamin, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (UMix Music App) The 12th HKICTA was steered by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer. Details of winners are available at www.hkictawards.hk/index_e.php . The Government Chief Information Officer, Mr Allen Yeung, expressed gratitude to the eight leading organisers, members of the Steering Committee and the Standards Assurance Sub-Committee, the Grand Judging Panel, judges and supporting organisations for their contributions, which led to the success of the HKICTA. Ends/Wednesday, April 4, 2018 Issued at HKT 19:53 NNNN