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The Government was pressing ahead with preparatory work for the construction of a new cruise terminal at Kai Tak, a spokesman for the Tourism Commission said today (March 6).
¡§To expedite the construction process, we are working simultaneously to prepare for the invitation of tenders for two works contracts - the site formation works contract and the cruise terminal building works contract.
¡§We hope that by adopting this dual-track approach, the construction lead time can be shortened,¡¨ the spokesman said.
He said the Government would seek funding approval from the Legislative Council later this year for carrying out the site formation works. It is expected that works can begin before the end of the year.
The spokesman said the Government was inviting prequalification applications for the design and build of the cruise terminal building.
Application details, including the eligibility criteria for applicants, are laid out in the tenderer prequalification notice published in the Government Gazette today. Qualified applicants can obtain the relevant application documents from the Architectural Services Department (ArchSD) and submit their applications on or before March 31.
¡§After closing of the prequalification exercise, the ArchSD will prequalify four suitable candidates to participate in the design and build contract tender exercise,¡¨ the spokesman said.
He said the Government¡¦s target was to begin operation of the first berth by mid-2013.
Ends/Friday, March 6, 2009
Issued at HKT 13:48
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