The number of district-based cyber centres will rise from 14 to 25 to provide services in more areas, under phase two of a pilot scheme.

Visiting an Ngau Tau Kok district cyber centre today, Permanent Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development (Communications & Technology) Duncan Pescod said it is the Government's vision under the Digital 21 Strategy for everyone to take advantage of information and communications technology for learning, entertainment, work and everyday living.

"We launched the pilot scheme in February to provide computing facilities, Internet connectivity, training and technical support to enable needy local residents to gain access to the rich pool of information in the cyber world," he said.

It now supports 14 centres equipped with 200 computers and related facilities, as well as training programmes to serve different needy communities like youths, the elderly and women.

A library is established to provide 190 laptop computers for loan to the public and a mobile van will cross the city to deliver training and mount community-based information and communications technology activities.