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The Secretary for Development, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (January 10) met with the President of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), Mr Richard Coackley, and a delegation of 23 architects from France and briefed them on latest infrastructure developments in Hong Kong.
The ICE was founded by a group of engineers in the United Kingdom in 1818 with the objective of fostering and promoting the art and science of civil engineering. Today ICE has over 80,000 members in 148 countries and Hong Kong, with over 2,500 members, has one of the largest ICE memberships outside the UK.
ICE hosted receptions twice for Mrs Lam during her official visits to London at which she updated the UK construction industry on Hong Kong's major infrastructure and the emphasis Hong Kong put on quality city environment. Attending Mrs Lam's meeting with Mr Coackley were the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr C S Wai, who is the ICE representative for Hong Kong, and Mr Mak Chai-kwong, who represents the HKSAR on the ICE Council. Mr Mak, former Permanent Secretary for Development (Works) who is now Team Leader of Sichuan Reconstruction in the Development Bureau.
At a separate meeting with the group of French architects, Mrs Lam briefed them on the many opportunities for the industry in Hong Kong in the coming years, in connection with major government initiatives such as the West Kowloon Cultural District, Conserving Central and Energizing Kowloon East. She also introduced a number of prominent building projects under construction in Hong Kong, including the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal Building and the Construction Industry Council's Zero-carbon Building.
The French delegation was organised by French Architects Overseas (AFEX), the French Trade Commission (UBIFRANCE), and the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and Macau. The French Consul-General, Mr Arnaud Barthelemy, also attended the meeting.
Founded in 1996, AFEX aims to promote French architecture and urban management throughout the world. During a visit to Paris in July last year, Mrs Lam attended a lunch gathering with AFEX members, and extended an invitation to the organisation to visit Hong Kong and learn about the city's latest developments and opportunities.
Ends/Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Issued at HKT 20:13
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