The Secretary for Development, Mr Paul Chan, said today (October 21) that Mainland and Hong Kong construction enterprises can grow stronger by using their respective distinct advantages to complement each other, and the two places can jointly tap overseas markets through various modes of co-operation.
Mr Chan attended the 2013 Mainland and Hong Kong Construction Industry Forum in Ningbo today. The theme of the forum is "Promoting quality and innovation to take construction enterprises global".
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Chan said, "Construction enterprises on the Mainland and professional consultants and contractors in Hong Kong have their own distinct advantages. Despite their smaller size, Hong Kong's construction enterprises have great flexibility and extensive global vision. They have an edge, being at the meeting point of the Chinese and Western cultures and in a biliterate and trilingual society. With professional business networks around the world, they are familiar with international standards, technologies, procurement procedures and legal systems. They have rich experience in managing integrated projects across multiple professional disciplines and good knowledge of quality construction materials in the global market and the international trends.
"Mainland enterprises also have their unique advantages. They are large-scale with ample resources, an abundant workforce and high production capacity. They have the ability to bid for mega infrastructure projects in the international arena," Mr Chan said.
Mr Chan pointed out that the Mainland is undergoing economic transformation and is investing more in the global market. Promoting the enterprises of the two places to go global together can fully capitalise on Hong Kong's competitive edge in the service industries and can enhance the alliance's strengths. Enterprises of both places can expand their foothold in the global market through various modes of co-operation. For instance, Mainland enterprises can form joint ventures with Hong Kong contractors, while Mainland contractors and Hong Kong consultants can bid for tenders through partnership. Hong Kong's supervisory professionals can also take part in the Mainland's overseas aid projects.
During the forum, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, Mr Qi Ji, and Mr Chan witnessed the signing of a co-operation agreement by the Vice President of the China Construction Industry Association, Mr Xu Yiping, and the Chairman of the Construction Industry Council of Hong Kong, Mr Lee Shing-see. The agreement seeks to further enhance information exchange, communication and in-depth collaboration between the two organisations.
Mr Chan yesterday met with Mr Qi, the Acting Mayor of the Ningbo Municipal People's Government, Mr Lu Ziyue, and the Vice Mayor of the Ningbo Municipal People's Government, Mr Wang Renzhou.
Attending the forum with Mr Chan was a 150-member delegation from Hong Kong, including representatives from the Development Bureau, the Construction Industry Council, trade associations and professional institutions, as well as construction industry personnel, a legislator and legal professionals.
Mr Chan will return to Hong Kong this evening. Other delegation members will conduct a study visit to Ningbo and Hangzhou from tomorrow to October 24, where they will visit an energy-saving equipment enterprise and energy-saving buildings.
Ends/Monday, October 21, 2013
Issued at HKT 13:22
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