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The Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, officiated at the Opening Ceremony of the new Trade and Industry Tower (TI Tower) in the Kai Tak Development Area today (October 26), marking the official commissioning of the new government office building.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Tsang said that TI Tower, the first government office building completed in the Kai Tak Development Area and an important part of the Kai Tak development, would open up new vistas for the area.
Mr Tsang said, "In line with the concept of sustainable development of the Kai Tak Development Area, TI Tower has adopted various green and energy-saving design features. Apart from featuring vertical greening, the building is also connected to the District Cooling System of the Kai Tak development, which provides air-conditioning in a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective manner."
He pointed out in particular that the green measures adopted for TI Tower have been recognised by the construction industry. Apart from receiving the Grand Award of the Green Building Award and the Platinum rating in BEAM Plus in 2014, TI Tower has also been commended by the US Green Building Council.
Mr Tsang said, "With the completion of TI Tower, the Government will release 26 000 square metres of office space vacated in Trade and Industry Department Tower in Mong Kok to the market by the end of this year. The Government is also actively planning the construction of a number of government office buildings in various districts for the phased relocation of the three government office buildings near the Wan Chai waterfront."
Other guests attending the opening ceremony included the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Professor K C Chan; the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Gregory So; the Chairman of the Legislative Council Panel on Commerce and Industry, Mr Wong Ting-kwong; the Chairman of the Legislative Council Panel on Financial Affairs, Mr Ng Leung-sing; the Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Treasury), Ms Elizabeth Tse; the Director-General of Trade and Industry, Mr Kenneth Mak; the Director of Architectural Services, Mr Leung Koon-kee; and the Government Property Administrator, Mr Alan Siu.
Situated at 3 Concorde Road, the 22-storey TI Tower together with its adjacent Community Hall provides around 33 000 square metres of office space for about 2 500 staff. In addition to the green and energy-saving measures mentioned above, TI Tower also employs various renewable energy technologies, including a photovoltaic system, a solar hot water system, solar chimneys and daylight sun tubes.
TI Tower accommodates the Trade and Industry Department, the Highways Department, the Census and Statistics Department, the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency, the Customs and Excise Department, the Social Welfare Department, the Labour Department, the Lands Department, Hongkong Post and the Education Bureau, as well as the Kowloon City District Office which manages the Community Hall.
The Legislative Council approved an allocation of $2,645.1 million for the construction of TI Tower in early 2012. The works were successfully completed within budget.
Ends/Monday, October 26, 2015
Issued at HKT 12:41
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