British Prospects
4.
We have learnt
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FOI EXEMPTION NO. 27(1)
that the Koreans put in the lowest bid and the Japanese the most expensive. AJC's bid was slightly lower than the French-led group's, but it had more conditions attached. The AJC bid was in fact very close to HKG's own estimate. Reactions to the
technical aspects of the AJC bid are apparently highly favourable. They are the only group to put in a bid on the franchise for the bridge operation. And the ECGD indication of cover seems to be a better package than that offered by
the Japanese.
5. We understand that HKG have posed some technical questions on the bids and will have discussions with all four groups in late January. Thereafter, HKG are likely to narrow the field to two for detailed negotiations. There seems to be a good chance that AJC will make it to the last two. Meanwhile, Trafalgar House will look very hard at their list of qualifications to see whether these can be reduced and/or moderated. They do not at this stage seem to be thinking about merging their efforts with any of the
other contenders.
Airport platform contract
6. The next major contract is for preparation of the airport site. Following appeals by the competing groups for an extension of the bidding period, the closing date for bids has been put back to 21 February. The main British contender for this contract is Balfour Beatty whose team are currently in Hong Kong with representatives of the remainder of their group. Sir R Davidson, Balfour Beatty's new Chairman, and other Directors will visit Hong Kong in
mid-February.
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