TNAG-2408-FCO40-3502-Hong-Kong-Port-and-Airport-Development-Strategy-(PADS)-Brit-1992 — Page 36

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Translation

Extract from Ming Pao Daily News dated 26.3.92

British Companies Awarded 70% of Consultancy

Contracts for New Airport Project

A British Consortium Alone Wins 9 Contracts

Worth $1 Billion Accounting for Half of The

Total Consultant Fees

Although Hong Kong Government officials have repeatedly indicate

that the Government will not specifically look after British interests whe

awarding contracts for the new airport project, relevant information reveal

that over 70% of the Airport Core Programme consultancy

have been awarded are given to British Companies. Among them Mott MacDonald

a British company, has won 9 contracts worth $1 billion which account fc

nearly 50% of the total consultant fees.

contracts

whic

Dr. the Honourable Samuel WONG Ping-wai,

Legislative Councill‹

Electoral Division, is of the view that t:

returned from the Engineering

Government has a duty to explain to the public why the contracts are award-

to only a handful of companies. As one company gets 9 contracts, he worri

that it will have a direct bearing on the quality of works.

The Hon Samuel WONG quoted Mr. James Blake, the Secretary

for Works, who explained that most of the contracts were awarded to Briti.

Companies because 'accepting the lowest bid' was still the basic selecti

criterion adopted by the Hong Kong Government. Mr. Paul Tang, Assista

Director (Community Relations) of the New Airport Project Co-ordinati

Office, told our reporter that several contracts were awarded to a compa

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