Following the meeting of the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis chaired by the Chief Executive this morning, the Working Group on Devising Development and Operation Models under the Committee, led by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, held its first meeting in the afternoon today (September 29).
      
     The meeting reaffirmed the main objectives of the Working Group, which include: formulating development and operation models for designated development areas in the Northern Metropolis, tailored to their nature and scale; considering appropriate land disposal approaches for industry land and major development projects in the Northern Metropolis; and devising financing arrangements for industry parks and major development projects. The meeting also considered the tendering approach for the large-scale disposal site at the Hung Shui Kiu New Development Area, the policy on setting up industry park companies for industry land in the area, and the progress of rolling out parcels of the remaining land in Phase 1 of the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone.
      
     Mr Chan said at the meeting that the Northern Metropolis is a key driver of Hong Kong's innovation, technology and industrial development, and an important base for deepening co-operation with sister cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. To expedite the development of the Northern Metropolis, it was necessary to formulate appropriate development models, operation mechanisms and financing arrangements for the various development areas and projects, in tandem with the new phase of diversified industrial development. He added that the Working Group will adopt an open-minded, flexible and innovative approach in considering the development strategies that best suit the characteristics of various sites in development areas and industry parks of the Northern Metropolis. It will endeavour to remove unnecessary barriers, ease restrictions and allocate resources effectively. The Working Group will also seek to leverage market capital and attract investments and enterprises through a multitude of strategies, with a view to accelerating industry establishment and speeding up the development of the Northern Metropolis.
      
     The Chief Executive announced in the 2025 Policy Address the establishment of the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis, under which three working groups would be set up, namely the Working Group on Devising Development and Operation Models, the Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town, and the Working Group on Planning and Development.
      
     Members of the Working Group on Devising Development and Operation Models include:
 
Financial Secretary (Chairman)
Deputy Financial Secretary
Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury
Secretary for Development
Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development
Secretary for Transport and Logistics
Head of the Chief Executive's Policy Unit
Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Treasury)
Permanent Secretary for Development (Planning and Lands)
Director, Northern Metropolis Co-ordination Office
 
     Representatives of other relevant policy bureaux and departments will be invited to attend meetings as necessary.

Ends/Monday, September 29, 2025
Issued at HKT 20:00

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