The Secretary for Development, Mr Michael Wong, today (July 23) led a delegation from Hong Kong to attend the 2018 Mainland and Hong Kong Construction Forum in Guiyang.

     The forum is jointly organised by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, the Guizhou Provincial People's Government and the Development Bureau. The theme of this year's forum is "Integrating into the Development of the Country, Facilitating High-quality Development of the Construction Industry".

     Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Wong said that the infrastructure projects under the Belt and Road Initiative are of considerable scale and present vast business opportunities to the construction industry and the related professional services sector. The Development Bureau and the construction industry have all along been promoting the construction enterprises in Hong Kong and the Mainland to "go global" and to combine the strengths of both places to open up the overseas markets.

     Mr Wong said that this year's forum covers a wide variety of topics such as building design, project management, innovative building technology and green buildings. He expressed the hope that the forum could serve as a platform to foster exchanges and experience sharing and strengthen co-operation between Hong Kong and the Mainland.

     Prior to the forum, Mr Wong and industry representatives from Hong Kong met with leaders of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development and the Guizhou Provincial People's Government. The Development Bureau also signed a collaboration agreement with the Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of Guizhou Province to strengthen mutual co-operation in the construction industry.

     The Hong Kong delegation to the forum comprises about 150 members including representatives of the construction industry, related trade associations and professional institutions as well as the construction industry. It also includes legal professionals and member of the Legislative Council Mr Tony Tse.

     Others representing the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government at the Forum include the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Hon Chi-keung; the Director of Civil Engineering and Development, Mr Lam Sai-hung; the Director of Water Supplies, Mr Wong Chung-leung; the Director of Architectural Services, Mrs Sylvia Lam; the Director of Drainage Services, Mr Edwin Tong; the Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services, Mr Alfred Sit; and the Deputy Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Francis Chau. Mr Hon will deliver a speech tomorrow (July 24) at the closing ceremony of the forum.

     Mr Wong will return to Hong Kong tonight.

      

     The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has approved from the Disaster Relief Fund a grant of $536,000 to Amity Foundation, Hong Kong for providing relief to flood victims in Sichuan Province in the Mainland.

     Announcing the grant today (July 23), a spokesman for the Government said that the grant will be used to provide rice and oil for the flood victims to address their imminent needs. The grant was approved under the fast-track mechanism set up on the advice of the Disaster Relief Fund Advisory Committee to assist relief organisations to start first-phase emergency relief work more expeditiously.

     "To ensure that the money is used for the designated purposes, Amity Foundation, Hong Kong will be asked to submit an evaluation report and an audited account on the use of the grant after the relief project has been completed," the spokesman said.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (July 23) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Shek O Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (July 23) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Silverstrand Beach in Sai Kung District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.

     The Transport Department (TD) today (July 23) invited interested parties to express their interest in operating the Rehabus feeder service.

     Interested parties can download the expression of interest (EOI) documents with the specified submission forms from the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk/en/tender_notices/notices_of_inviting_expression_of_interest/index.html), or obtain the EOI documents from the Ferry and Paratransit Division, Transport Department, Room 2014, 20/F, Harcourt House, 39 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong.
      
     All submitted documents should be placed in a sealed envelope clearly marked with "EOI for Operating the Rehabus Services" and must be submitted to the TD at the aforesaid address at or before noon, August 10, 2018 (Friday).

     For enquiries please call 3583 3711.