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Following is a speech by the Secretary for Works, Mr H S Kwong, at the opening ceremony of the Asian Elenex 98 today (Tuesday):
Ladies and gentlemen,
I am honoured to be invited to open the Asian Elenex 98 exhibition, which is being held at the same time as the Luminex 98, Airvex 98, IBS 98 and Securitex 98 exhibitions.
To hold these biennial exhibitions under one roof provides an excellent opportunity for thousands of professionals and buyers from all over the world to renew acquaintance, source new products and look for new business.
The construction industry and infrastructure development have played a big role in the economic growth of many Asian countries in the past decades. During this period, Hong Kong, in particular, attained remarkable achievements on many fronts. Our construction industry has been able to meet the aspirations of an increasingly sophisticated society by delivering the necessary infrastructure facilities of world-class standards. The new airport at Chek Lap Kok and the Airport Railway, which are to be opened in a month, are fine examples. We depend on the expertise and hard work of professionals in various streams, including contractors and suppliers, for our success. I am sure that we can continue to count on them as we face abundant challenges and opportunities in the next millennium.
Indeed, despite the current financial turmoil that affects many Southeast Asian countries to different extents, our market for the construction industry remains huge as the need for further development is tremendous. Apart from our commitment in the housing programme to meet long term needs, our infrastructure development investment in the next five years will far exceed the HK$155 billion investment under the Airport Core Programme implemented in the last few years. Major projects with total costs estimated at over HK$235 billion that will commence construction in this period include railways, highways, site formation and development, flood prevention, drainage and sewerage, waterworks, municipal and other government facilities, school improvement, port development, etc., covering a whole spectrum of works. On top of these investments, there will certainly be works from the private sector which, for the past years in Hong Kong, contribute to a very large proportion of our annual total construction investment.
The exhibitions you will be seeing are a comprehensive showcase of the latest development in many fields of technology, including electrical engineering, lighting, ventilation and air-conditioning, building automation and management and security. These are essential components of modern construction and development. The new ideas and advanced technologies staged in these exhibitions will not only be eye-openers but will offer new dimensions in our pursuit of professional excellence.
These exhibitions will also provide a valuable opportunity for the exchange of experiences, information and innovative ideas among designers, manufacturers, suppliers and buyers. These exchanges will, in turn, inspire more creative ideas for useful application in the future.
I am delighted that Hong Kong continues to play host to major international events such as these exhibitions. Our ideal infrastructure stands us in good stead for the promotion of new technology and products. And, of course, I do not have to reiterate that Hong Kong occupies a strategic position of a gateway to the mainland China market and the Pacific Rim.
I hope all participating organisations and visitors will have a lot to benefit from these exhibitions. To our overseas guests, I extend our warmest welcome and wish you an enjoyable stay.
Thank you.
End/Tuesday, June 2, 1998
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