Q2:eMPF Platform
MR CHAN CHUN-YING:
Thank you, President. Since the implementation progress of the eMPF Platform has inevitably been delayed, it is actually difficult to tell whether it is possible to ensure that the whole schedule will remain unchanged. But most importantly, it is hoped that the whole Project can standardize and streamline the administration processes. May I ask the Administration whether there is any part which does not need to be handled by the Platform and can now be enhanced and completed first, so as to ensure that the Project can really come into full operation in 2025? Thank you.
UNDER SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES AND THE TREASURY:
Alright, thank you, President. I thank the Member for his question and comments. There are two parts. On the one hand, the Member has put it right. Our question today is mainly about the progress of the eMPF Platform Project and its delay. Aside from the delay in building the eMPF Platform, we have in fact been engaged in the supporting facilities, procedures and relevant discussions on a continuous basis.
I would like to reiterate one more point. In fact, regarding this delay, let us look back at the whole Contract. There are three categories of services provided by the Contractor. As mentioned just now, they are Category A, which is software development; Category B, which is hardware development; and Category C, which is provision of Project operation and services. We can see that the hardware development in Category B and the operation work in Category C are actually in good progress. The main reason for the lag in software development in Category A, as we have noted, is that the Contractor has initially underestimated the complexity and manpower requirements of the Project. However, now we have instructed the Contractor to act accordingly. As a matter of fact, over the past period, they have multiplied the total number of team members participating in the eMPF Platform Project in order to help us catch up. Hence, we seek to catch up under the aforesaid approaches while conducting other complementary work outside the Platform on a continuous basis. Thank you, President.