*********************************
Following is the question by the Hon Cheung Hok-ming and a written reply by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Frederick Ma, (in the absence of Secretary for Economic Development and Labour) in the Legislative Council today (July 5):
Question:
Regarding the development of a new cruise terminal in South East Kowloon, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the estimated cost as well as the earliest commencement and completion dates of developing the new cruise terminal on a self-financing basis; when the authorities will decide and announce if such an approach will be adopted;
(b) whether the authorities will consider adopting alternative development approaches in delivering the project, such as by way of open tender or public-private partnership; and
(c) of the measures to ensure that the berthing fees charged by a new private-funded cruise terminal are reasonable and competitive?
Reply:
Madam President,
Kai Tak has always been the Government's preferred location for the development of cruise terminal facilities. The Government has reserved land in Kai Tak for the development of cruise terminal facilities. The Planning Department is consulting the public on the planning of Kai Tak, which includes the proposed cruise terminal development.
In order to develop new cruise terminal facilities as early as possible, the Government invited interested parties to submit Expressions of Interest (EOI) at the end of last year. The EOI seeks to ascertain whether there are suitable and feasible locations other than Kai Tak for the development of new cruise terminal. We received 6 suggestions. The Government is actively considering the suggestions from different aspects and other related issues, including the construction method for the cruise terminal, the authorisation procedures, the mode of development and the implementation time frame. We will inform the Legislative Council and the public of our position once we are ready.
Ends/Wednesday, July 5, 2006
Issued at HKT 15:52
NNNN
