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The Government will issue tomorrow (April 25) an invitation for detailed proposals for a 30-year franchise on the basis of a Build-Operate-Transfer arrangement for the finance, design, construction, installation, testing, commissioning, operation, management and maintenance of a cable car system linking Tung Chung and Ngong Ping on Lantau Island.

A spokesman for the Tourism Commission said that the objective of developing the cable car system was to increase the range of attractions to visitors in Hong Kong as a means to enhance our position as a leading tourist destination in the region.

"The Government invited expressions of interest and preliminary proposals for the Project in early 2000. The response indicated that there was market interest in the Project," he said.

On the basis of the feasibility study on the Project and a desk-top study completed in 1999 and 2000 respectively, the Government has established a preliminary preferred alignment. The alignment runs from Tung Chung Town Centre, passes through the southern end of the Airport Island and ends at Ngong Ping. It forms the basis for inviting detailed proposals.

Proponents should submit proposals in accordance with the procedures set out in the Project Brief. Copies of the Project Brief are obtainable from the Tourism Commission, Room 258, East Wing, Central Government Offices, Lower Albert Road, Hong Kong.

As a pledge of the bona fides of their interest, interested parties are required to pay at the collection offices of the Treasury a deposit in the sum of HK$100,000, which is refundable without interest within 30 days after close of submission.

All detailed proposals should be submitted to the Government Secretariat Tender Box situated in the lift lobby on the lower ground floor of Central Government Offices (East Wing), Lower Albert Road, Hong Kong at or before noon on July 27, 2001.

Information on the collection of the Project Brief including the arrangements for payment of the deposit is available on the Internet at http://www.info.gov.hk/tc.

Proposals received will be assessed on the basis of a set of pre-determined criteria which cover both the financial and technical aspects. The financial aspects include ability to finance, reasonableness of assumptions underlying financial projections and robustness of its financial viability, royalty payment to the Government, Government support required and tourism benefits. The technical aspects include technical capability and competence, system design, environmental, ecological, planning, transport, land and safety considerations, implementation programme and construction method.

Upon identification of the successful proponent, a provisional agreement will be made between the Government and the party to provide a basis for both parties to take forward necessary action for implementation of the Project. As part of the requisite for the grant of the franchise, the successful proponent would be required to undertake detailed studies and assessment, including environmental and technical studies, to establish the design and final alignment of the cable car system, and to complete all necessary statutory procedures. The Government will take necessary action on the enabling ordinance and other legislative amendments.

"Our target is to identify a successful proponent by the end of 2001 and to have the cable car system commence operation before early 2006," the spokesman said.

End/Tuesday, April 24, 2001

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