Construction industry on Mainland and in Hong Kong enhance co-operation (with photos)
The Secretary for Development, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (November 4) met Vice-minister of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of the Central People's Government, Mr Qi Ji, in Nanjing to exchange views on further co-operation of the construction industry on the Mainland and in Hong Kong.
Referring to the mutual recognition agreements in operation under the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) framework in respect of six professions - estate surveyors, architects, structural engineers, planners, quantity surveyors and building surveyors - in the construction industry, Mrs Lam said that about 2,200 professionals from both sides had benefited so far.
She relayed to Vice-minister Qi the wish of local professionals to continue with the mutual recognition arrangements as confirmed in a recent survey conducted by Development Bureau. Mrs Lam said at the meeting that the recent initiative under Supplement V to the CEPA to allow Hong Kong professionals who had obtained the Mainland's registered Urban Planner qualification or Supervision Engineer qualification to carry out relevant works in Guangdong Province was warmly welcomed by the local construction industry, with other professional groups hoping that the same arrangement could be extended to them in due course.
Mrs Lam also mentioned the involvement of the HKSAR Government and the Hong Kong construction sector in the reconstruction work in Sichuan.
Mrs Lam arrived in Nanjing on Sunday (November 2) to attend the Fourth Session of the World Urban Forum.
She participated in the Minister's Round Table discussion yesterday (November 3) and made a presentation on urban development of Hong Kong. She told participants that the HKSAR Government was determined to provide a quality city and harmonious society for the people of Hong Kong.
The Fourth Session of the World Urban Forum is jointly organised by the UN-Habitat and the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of the Central People's Government. The theme of the forum is harmonious urbanisation.
Also attending the forum are the Director of Architectural Services, Mr Yue Chi-hang; the Deputy Director of Planning, Mr Jimmy Leung, and the Assistant Director (Heritage and Museums) of Leisure and Cultural Services, Dr Louis Ng.
During her stay in Nanjing, Mrs Lam also visited the Nanjing 1912 Commercial Street and Nanjing 1865 Creativity Industrial Park to see how the historic buildings in these areas are preserved and revitalised.
Ends/Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Issued at HKT 16:54
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