Hong Kong is considered a leading hub of international trade and economy, making the city a gateway for products move from the East to the rest of the world. To maintain such a prestigious position requires state-of-the-art electronic infrastructure, enabling it to measure up to the prerequisites of world business sectors. Hong Kong was placed second in the Global eAwareness Assessment 2008. The Hong Kong eGovernment website, www.gov.hk, represents an ideal gateway to a wide array of eServices. 

Quick Browsing
The content design team of Hong Kong eGovernment website obviously decided to adopt the slogan "Quick Browsing" while designing the page. Website users can browse the entire content of the homepage directly without using the indicator to get to the bottom of the page.

The website incorporates four key sections, similar to other eGovernment websites: Residents, Business & Trade, Non-Residents and Youth.

On selecting a section, user-friendly services packages, categorized as per their usage nature, are presented to users.
Due to the large number of eServices available on the website, every services package comprises detailed sub-packages. The main packages are listed on the left side of the screen on all pages to allow users to go back and browse other services. Services on the website are accessed by two mouse clicks, making them highly accessible and efficient.

Permanent Tabs on Top Navigation Bar
A permanent tab list is included on the top navigation bar. Although it occupies some space, the tabs offers key functions to users, most importantly: 
1) Government Agencies: This is a one-stop directory of all government departments and agencies, along with their telephone numbers, e-mail addresses, websites, names of all highly-ranked officials and organizational structure.
2) Online Services: Online services are divided according to their target users: residents, business & trade and non-residents. When category is selected, its eServices are classified under their main packages. Long lists of eServices are gathered under sub-packages links. The most eye-catching feature in this section is the set of icons next to every service showing whether the service utilizes ePay, requires username and password, or demands users to print or scan certain documents. 
3) RSS: In addition to providing the technical support center's telephone numbers, e-mail address and fax numbers, the website features the RSS service which keeps users constantly informed about government news and official events.

Live Traffic Update
In the light of high traffic congestion in cities that serve as hubs of international trade, eServices can contribute significantly to easing traffic flow by keeping users informed of traffic situation on different routes. The website offers two outstanding services in this field. The first is a live capture of major crossroads and bridges through a camera that updates its images every two minutes. This service assists users in taking the right route.    

The second is an interactive map that uses colors for updating on traffic situation. Green is used for smooth traffic and the color gradually changes to red, depending on the degree of congestion. In addition, clicking on locations on the interactive map will display the duration the trip will take through that particular road.

Motorists in Dubai are definitely in need of such services, particularly after Dalili, which was available on RTA website, was withdrawn. We recommend that the RTA eServices team take up the initiative to launch a new service as it has become a key necessity for Dubai.