A supernumerary Government post of Senior Principal Executive Officer may be created to head the local secretariat for the International Telecommunication Union TELECOM WORLD 2006 to be held in Hong Kong from December 4 to 8, 2006.

In a Legislative Council paper today, the Commerce, Industry & Technology Bureau said the union requires Hong Kong, as the host city, to set up a local secretariat to support the union in organising the event and delivering a series of host city obligations and services.

As at April 30, there are eight marketing specialists (full-time) and three civil servants (part-time) undertaking the duties of the secretariat, which is currently headed by an officer re-deployed internally within the bureau on a part-time basis.

With the growing complexity, scale and volume of work of the secretariat, the bureau said it will not be operationally possible for the re-deployed officer to continue to oversee the body's tasks on a part-time basis. It considers that a dedicated, full-time officer is required from October onwards to be the secretariat head and ensure the host's obligations are fulfilled.

Costs and benefits

The notional annual salary cost of the proposed post at mid-point is $1.36 million and the full annual average staff cost, including salaries and staff on-cost is $1.929 million.

The Government also plans to create seven non-directorate civil service posts involving a notional annual salary cost at mid-point of $3,456,480 and a full annual average staff cost of $4.853 million.

The event will likely bring to Hong Kong up to 100,000 visitors from the Mainland and overseas and generate substantial direct economic benefits. It will also enhance Hong Kong's international image as the premier capital for exhibitions and conferences, the regional telecom hub and the unique gateway to the Mainland market.