XN000022-1973-02-14 — Page 5

-

4

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.

15