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The Development Bureau of the HKSAR Government and the professional institutes of the construction sector have earlier initiated to set up the Hong Kong Construction Sector 5.12 Reconstruction Joint Conference to better mobilise and coordinate the participation of the professionals and institutes of Hong Kong's construction industry in the reconstruction work after the Sichuan earthquake.
The primary objective of the Joint Conference is to consolidate the efforts of the professionals in the Government and the construction sector so as to provide more efficient support to the hard hit areas, whether in terms of financial assistance, materials, equipment supplies or expert knowledge.
The founding members of the Joint Conference are the Development Bureau and its departments, and the following 10 trade associations and professional institutes:
The Hong Kong Construction Association
The Hong Kong Electrical and Mechanical Contractors' Association
The Hong Kong Federation of Electrical and Mechanical Contractors Ltd
The Association of Consulting Engineers of Hong Kong
The Real Estate Developers Association of Hong Kong
The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers
The Hong Kong Institute of Architects
The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors
The Hong Kong Institute of Planners
The Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects
The Joint Conference has invited the Legislative Council members of the construction sector, Mr Abraham Shek, Dr Raymond Ho and Mr Patrick Lau, as advisors. Three former Secretary for Works/ Permanent Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Mr Kwong Hon-sang, Mr Lee Shing-see and Mr Lo Yiu-ching have recently agreed to serve as advisors. Other professionals or trade organisations will also be invited to joint the conference.
A spokesman for the Development Bureau said the Bureau had been discussing with the construction sector on how to assist in the reconstruction work after the earthquake.
The Secretary for Development, Mrs Carrie Lam, together with the heads of departments under the Bureau, had a meeting with the professional institutes of the construction sector on May 27. The meeting decided to set up the "Hong Kong Construction Sector 5.12 Reconstruction Joint Conference" to better coordinate and consolidate resources and support among the Government and the construction sector for the reconstruction work in Sichuan.
As it was necessary to maintain close communication with the Mainland authorities in the future work, the meeting agreed unanimously that the Development Bureau should take the lead in setting up the Joint Conference. The first meeting of the Conference was held on June 10.
During this period, the government geotechnical engineers from the Joint Conference have given technical advice to the Ministry of Water on how to monitor the water level of the landslide-dammed lakes. Two town planners from the Hong Kong Institute of Planners have visited Chengdu to assist in the reconstruction work. A group of young engineers has also launched a campaign to build new schools for the affected areas, and organised a "Caring Night" event on June 12.
The spokesman said, "It is the common will of the professionals in the government and the construction sector to establish the joint conference. It is hoped that the conference will provide a platform for the construction sector to provide pragmatic assistance and support in the reconstruction of the affected areas in Sichuan."
Ends/Thursday, June 19, 2008
Issued at HKT 21:25
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