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Funds sought for air cargo complex fitting-out works
The Government plans to seek funding approval from the Finance Committee later this month for fitting-out of government facilities within the Air Cargo Complex at the new airport at Chek Lap Kok.
Funds of $64.6 million (in money of the day) are being sought to cover fitting- out works for five government departments: the Agricultural and Fisheries Department, the Customs and Excise Department, the Department of Health, the Immigration Department and the Census and Statistics Department.
A discussion paper on the proposed funding request was issued today (Thursday) to members of the Legislative Council Public Works Sub-Committee.
A government spokesman said the Finance Committee had so far approved a total of $5,474.4 million to enable the implementation of a number of government works at the new airport.
"The $64.6 million being sought was the balance of the total estimated cost of $5,539 million for government facilities at the new airport," he said.
On June 30, the British and Chinese sides of the Airport Committee reached agreement on the terms of the two franchise agreements to be entered into by the future Airport Authority with Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited and Asia Airfreight Terminal Company Limited for the provision of air cargo services at the new airport.
"The Authority expects to execute the two agreements very shortly, following which the franchisees will be ready to embark on their construction programmes for the Air Cargo Complex to tie in with the expected opening of the new airport in April 1998.
"According to the franchisees' programmes, they will need to finalise the detailed design of the Air Cargo Complex, together with its fitting-out works, in the coming months. Our current assessment is that entrustment of the fitting-out of government facilities within the Air Cargo Complex to the franchisees would be more cost-effective and more beneficial from the programme point of view.