PR 13
2000037
H
|香港政府 GIS 新聞處
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SUPPLEMENT
December 11, 1973
MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY SYSTEM
Government To Negotiate With Japanese Consortium
The Government announced this evening that it has decided to
enter into negotiations with the Japanese Consortium, represented locally
by Jardine, latheson and Company Limited, to see whether it is possible
to conclude a contract for the construction and equipment of the first
four stages of the Mass Transit Railway. This decision has been taken
following upon a series of discussions which have taken place between
the lass Transit Steering Group and the three consortia which had put
forward single contract proposals.
In announcing this decision a Government spokesman stressed that
the negotiations will take a number of months, but will begin immediately.
Whether or not the negotiations can be brought to a successful conclusion
will depend upon the Japanese Consortium's ability and willingness to
conform to the Government's detailed requirements for a contract.
The Government spokesman said that one of the most important
requirements laid down by the Government was that the contract price
should be limited to $5,000 million. This was because it was considered
that this was the maximum sun the railway could afford within a given
fare structure and bearing in mind the long period over which the debt
has to be repaid, resulting in a very heavy interest burden.
Consortium's proposal was the only one which was within this limitation,"
he said.
"The Japanese
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
/Should