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Wednesday, February 14, 1973
Mr. Haddon-Cave informed the Council that 21 companies and consortia had
already submitted preliminary proposals for the financing, construction,
equipment and even the operation of the mass transit railway.
These included financial, engineering and other interests in Hong
Kong and seven major industrial countries.
In addition, nearly 30 others had expressed an interest or offered
assistange in one way or another for the project.
"This widespread international interest in the project means that
we can look forward to true international competition for the contract or
contracts for the construction and equipment of the Mass Transit Railway," he said.
He described the decision to go ahead with the project as an important
one which ultimately would affect every member of the community.
He assured the Council that every effort would be made to ensure
that the planning and coordination of the project would be undertaken effectively,
and to ensure that appropriate arrangements would be made in time for the
financing, construction and equipment of the system.
Above all, he added, every step would be taken to ensure that the
railway would be constructed with the minimum possible degree of disruption
and inconvenience to the ordinary life of the community.
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