XN000022-1981-06-17 — Page 3

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 1981

2

-

EXHIBITION CENTRE SEEN AS GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITY

*****

THE PROVISION OF AN EXHIBITION CENTRE IS NOW SEEN AS A GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITY, PURE AND SIMPLE, SAID THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, MR WILLIAM DORWARD, TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

IN HIS SPEECH AT THE OPENING OF THE 12TH BUSINESS EFFICIENCY EXHIBITION AT THE HILTON HOTEL, MR DORWARD SAID THAT WHILE IT WAS FASHIONABLE TO CLAIM AN EXHIBITION CENTRE SHOULD HAVE BEEN PROVIDED YESTERDAY, IT WOULD BE BOTH IRRESPONSIBLE, AND HIGHLY INEFFICIENT (A POINT HE FELT HE SHOULD STRESS AT A BUSINESS EFFICIENCY EXHIBITION) FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO COMMIT ITSELF TO A PROJECT ENTAILING A VERY LARGE EXPENDITURE WITHOUT EXAMINING CLOSELY AND FULLY WHETHER THE MONEY WOULD BE WISELY SPENT.

MR DORWARD SAID HE WAS SORRY THAT SOME PEOPLE HAD TO BE TURNED AWAY FROM THE EXHIBITION DUE TO LACK OF SPACE.

+I KNOW THERE IS A WIDESPREAD FEELING THAT HONG KONG IS AT A REAL DISADVANTAGE BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF AN EXHIBITION CENTRE- AND OCCASIONS LIKE THIS STRENGTHEN THAT FEELING. I SYMPATHISE, BUT

THERE IS NO SIMPLE, EASY OR RAPID ANSWER, HE SAID.

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL, HAVING CONSIDERED

A FIRST CONSULTANCY REPORT TO LOOK INTO THE DEMAND FOR AND VIABILITY OF AN EXHIBITION CENTRE IN 1980, HAD ACCEPTED THE APPARENT NEED FOR A CENTRE AND ADVISED THAT A SECOND STAGE OF THE CONSULTANCY SHOULD PROCEED.

A SITE IN TSIM SHA TSUI WAS MEANWHILE EARMARKED FOR THE PURPOSE.

THROUGH THE SECOND CONSULTANCY, THE GOVERNMENT AIMED TO FIND ANSWERS TO A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS, SUCH AS1 +HOW SHOULD THE CENTRE BE BUILT AND WHAT FACILITIES SHOULD IT PROVIDE, WHAT IS ITS LIKELY COST TO THE PUBLIC, HOW MUCH REVENUE MIGHT IT GENERATE, HOW MIGHT THE DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL OF THE SITE BE MAXIMISED, WHO SHOULD MANAGE IT AND HOW?

THE ANSWERS WOULD HAVE TO BE BASED ON A PROPER ASSESSMENT OF MANY RELEVANT FACTORS INVOLVING FINANCE, COSTINGS, STRUCTURAL AND ENGINEER ING DISCIPLINES AND MUCH TIME AND EFFORT HAVE TO BE SPENT BEFORE A FINAL, SOUND DECISION MIGHT BE MADE,+ HE SAID.

MR DORWARD SAID A BOARD WAS APPOINTED TO OVERSEE THE SECOND CONSULTANCY, COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES OF TRADE, INDUSTRY, TOURISM AND BANKING, WITH MR MICHAEL SANDBERG, CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION, AS CHAIRMAN.

THE BOARD WAS AS ANXIOUS AS ANYONE TO GET THINGS MOVING AND

HE WAS APPROACHING SPECIALISTS COMPANIES TO TENDER FOR THE PROJECT. EXPECTED THE CONSULTANCY TO TAKE FOUR TO SIX MONTHS TO COMPLETE, HE SAID.

MR DORWARD SAID ALSO THAT IT WAS A PITY THAT THOSE PEOPLE WHO DEVELOPED PURPOSE EXHIBITION SPACE IN HONG KONG SOME YEARS AGO SHOULD HAVE FOUND IT MORE ATTRACTIVE TO TURN IT INTO RESTAURANT AND ENTERTAINMENT FACILITIES.

/THEY COULD