Construction R&D Forum promotes applied R&D in industry (with photo)

     The Development Bureau (DEVB) and the University-Government-Industry (UGI) Consortium co-organised the Construction R&D (research and development) Forum today (November 4). With the theme "Bringing Applied R&D to New Heights", the forum brought together about 400 scholars and stakeholders from the Government and the industry to exchange views on the promotion and adoption of applied R&D to enhance the industry performance in order to cope with the challenges ahead.

     Speaking at the forum, the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, said infrastructure and the construction industry have long been indispensable to the economic development of Hong Kong. Infrastructure investment will be one of the vital factors underpinning Hong Kong's economic revival. In the next few years, the Government's capital works expenditure will exceed HK$100 billion a year, and Hong Kong's overall construction volume will soar to some HK$300 billion a year.

     Mr Chan pointed out that the construction industry is facing various challenges such as high construction costs, site safety issues and expectation to deliver results faster and more efficiently. Innovation is the key to tackling these concerns. Closer tripartite collaboration among the Government, the post-secondary institutions and the industry will help the industry to embrace innovation supported by applied R&D. The Government will spearhead applied R&D, piloting new materials, construction methods and technologies in public works projects so that they serve as a reference for industry adoption.

     Addressing the forum in a keynote presentation, the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, said the Government plays a key role in driving construction innovation, in particular promoting applied R&D in public works. The DEVB has set up a task force to steer and formulate policies on applied R&D, and to provide support and guidelines to works departments and authorities with a view to achieving wider adoption of innovation and technology in the construction industry.

     She called for support from the sector in promoting applied R&D to support construction innovation, thereby enhancing the performance and sustainability of the industry. She added that with Hong Kong's world-class expertise and experience in construction, the sector will contribute to the development of Hong Kong as well as the realisation of the country's vision to become a global leader in innovation.

     When concluding the forum, the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Ricky Lau, called for a change of mind-set and urged the industry stakeholders to embrace innovation, equip themselves with innovative R&D outcomes and drive for excellence in project performance, so as to contribute to the sustainable development of the construction industry.
 
Ends/Friday, November 4, 2022
Issued at HKT 19:51

The Development Bureau and the University-Government-Industry Consortium co-organised the Construction R&D Forum today (November 4). Photo shows the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan (centre); the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn (second right); the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Ricky Lau (first left); the President of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Professor Teng Jin-guang (second left); and the Chairman of the Steering Committee of the University-Government-Industry Consortium for Sustainable Urban Development, Dr Andrew Chan, officiating at the opening ceremony.

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