Press Release

E-Mice Solutions Works with Industry "Towards a New Generation in Secure Cross-border E-commerce"

2007-04-27

e-Cert operator teams up Hong Kong PKI Forum and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation to drive new trusted and secure e-commerce platform

(27 April, 2007, Hong Kong) -- E-Mice Solutions (HK) Limited (E-Mice Solutions), operator of the Hongkong Post e-Cert services, today inaugurated an initiative called "Towards a New Generation in Secure Cross-border E-commerce" in conjunction with the Hong Kong Public Key Infrastructure Forum (HKPKIF) and the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP).  This initiative aims to drive growth in cross-border e-commerce by creating an end-to-end, secure and trusted platform on which qualified retailers and consumers can perform e-transactions worry-free.

With the vision of "Building a credible system together to establish a harmonious society", the new initiative brings together a number of participants with different expertise to create a trusted and secure e-commerce platform.  The proposed platform, to be first launched in Hong Kong, will combine critical elements including retailers and products certification, consumer identity certification, payment facilitation as well as tracking and tracing in product delivery. 

The initiative's inauguration ceremony was officiated today by The Hon. Mr. Francis Ho, JP, Permanent Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, HKSAR Government; Mr. Xu Zhibiao, Director General, Department of Information Industry of Guangdong Province, PRC; Mr. Allen Mok, Chairman of the HKPKIF; Mr. Carlos Genardini, CEO of the HKSTP; and Mr. Winston Leong, Chairman of E-Mice Group.

The initiative now has drawn the support of more than 40 partners, most being HKPKIF members.  "The HKPKIF is fully behind this cross-border secure e-commerce initiative," said Mr. Allen Mok, Chairman of the HKPKIF.  "Our Forum is keen to leverage our membership network to promote additional PKI-related initiatives locally and globally."

The new platform will provide business opportunities for members of the HKPKIF and partners from different sectors to contribute their products or services as well as entail the cooperation of logistics providers to complete the supply chain fulfillment, and relevant standards and certification bodies to pre-qualify suitable retailers.

"Through the dedication of E-Mice and Hong Kong PKI Forum, cross-border secure e-commerce can be realized.  The economic potential and confidence in secure e-commerce will result in significantly changing how money and business is transacted," said Mr. Carlos Genardini, CEO of HKSTP.  "I congratulate E-Mice and the PKI Forum for their commitment and dedication to promote and build a more secure e-commerce environment."

"We see the need for secure and trusted e-commerce reaching a tipping point.  As a result, E-Mice is launching the next-generation e-commerce platform as one of the first initiatives in cooperation with HKPKIF members and other partners," said Mr. Leong.  "We will continue to work closely with the IT sector and other business partners with similar objectives towards our vision of driving broader usage of PKI products and services."

The secure e-commerce platform centers around a closed loop process to ensure a high level of security and trust.  The platform requires qualified retailers to be vetted on a regular basis by independent certification organizations to ensure merchandise quality and authenticity. At the same time, shoppers placing orders would also need to use digital certificates to facilitate payment as well as to safeguard their consumer rights. 

As soon as the shopper's order is received and payment made to the e-commerce platform, the relevant retailer will send the goods with an RFID tag that carries unique package information including the retailer's details, date and time of goods leaving the warehouse, delivery address, etc. for tracking and tracing to ensure against tampering in transit.  Upon acceptance of goods by the shopper, the e-commerce platform will release payment to the designated retailer immediately.

About E-MICE SOLUTIONS (HK) LIMITED

E-Mice is a member of E-Mice Group established in 1999 to develop highly specialized customer relationship management software applications for businesses in competitive industries.  Headquartered in the Hong Kong SAR and with additional offices in Guangzhou and Shanghai, the Group's software is currently deployed by some of the largest telecom services providers in the Greater China region.

Since April 1, 2007, E-Mice has taken over all of the operations and services of the Hongkong Post Certification Authority, the authorized issuer of digital certificates for encrypting and authenticating internet-based communications and transactions ("e-Certs").  It is E-Mice's objective to drive e-Cert adoption and usage in the Hong Kong SAR.

To find out more, please visit www.e-mice.net

About Hong Kong PKI Forum

Established October 21, 2002, Hong Kong PKI Forum ("HKPKIF") comprises industry-led organizations, from commercial sectors and certification authorities to IT vendors and professional services providers, all with a common mission to promote the wider adoption of PKI products and services for secure e-commerce activities, both locally and globally.

HKPKIF aims to enhance public and industry awareness of the importance of PKI products and services in addressing issues of authenticity, integrity, confidentiality and non-repudiation, as well as resolving issues regarding security of open network, PKI interoperability and ease of use.

HKPKIF also plays a role in recommending globally accepted technology standards and guidelines for use of PKI in business applications, and represents Hong Kong, China at international forums including the Asia PKI Forum to foster regional and international cooperation in PKI related matters such as cross-certification, application development, and interoperability arrangements.

To find out more, please visit www.hkpkiforum.org.hk.

About Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation

Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation ("HKSTP") is a statutory body set up by the Government of the Hong Kong SAR.

HKSTP provides innovative and technology driven infrastructure and support facilities which includes market focused clustered laboratory services enabling Hong Kong industries and services to be more competitive; full-service incubation programme for technology and design start-ups; and fosters partnerships and collaboration between industry and universities/applied research institutes through consulting, training and research programmes. HKSTP offers advanced facilities and support services for high technology companies that include an IC Design Centre, an IC Development Support Centre, a Materials Analysis Laboratory, a Photonics Development Support Centre, a Wireless Communications Test Laboratory and an Intellectual Property Servicing Centre.

More information about HKSTP is available at www.hkstp.org.

Mr. Winston Leong, Chairman of E-Mice Group, delivered a speech at the "Towards a New Generation in Secure Cross-border E-commerce" initiative inauguration ceremony.