************************************************************
The Secretary for Development, Mr Paul Chan, today (November 2) attended the 2015 Mainland and Hong Kong Construction Industry Forum in Yinchuan, Ningxia, together with a delegation from Hong Kong. The theme of the forum is "Belt and Road; Collaboration for Success".
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Chan said that the Mainland and Hong Kong's construction industries might consider building a "Silk-Road Joint Platform" for infrastructure under the "Belt and Road" initiative by creating a multi-disciplinary team that combines the efforts of the construction industry and related sectors to explore relevant markets.
Mr Chan suggested three strategies for the Platform. First, exploring an international financing channel for the Silk Road infrastructure projects; second, building a network of diversified and world-class professional service teams to support the Silk Road infrastructure; and third, setting up a high-level permanent platform for communication and policy discussions in relation to the Silk Road infrastructure.
During the two-day visit, Mr Chan met respectively with the Secretary of the Committee of the CPC Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region Municipal People's Government, Mr Li Jianhua; the Vice Governor of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region Municipal People's Government, Mr Bai Xueshan and officials from the Yinchuan Municipal People's Government as well as the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, Mr Yi Jun. They exchanged views on the partnering opportunities and challenges brought about by the "Belt and Road" initiative for the Mainland and Hong Kong.
The delegation visited a science park and a vineyard in Yinchuan yesterday (November 1) and will conduct study visits tomorrow (November 3) to learn about the business environment, the situation of foreign investment, urban planning, residential development and built heritage conservation in Yinchuan.
Attending the forum and the study tour with Mr Chan was a delegation comprising more than 160 members including representatives from the Development Bureau, the Construction Industry Council, trade associations and professional institutions, as well as construction industry personnel, legal professionals, accounting professionals and Legislative Council Members Dr Lo Wai-kwok and Mr Tony Tse.
Ends/Monday, November 2, 2015
Issued at HKT 21:04
NNNN
