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Infrastructure Development and Heritage Conservation
that trade. The amendments have been formulated according to the prevailing practice of the construction industry. As at October, there were about 320,000 registered construction workers.
Construction Manpower Development
The CIC's measures to enhance the training for construction personnel and to attract more people to join the construction industry have been successful in attracting and training more new blood, with most being young people. In particular, the 'Enhanced Construction Manpower Training Scheme' (launched by the CIC and DEVB) aims to train 6,000 semi-skilled workers by the end of 2014 for trades with projected labour shortages, acute ageing or recruitment difficulties.
Promotion of Professional Services
The Development Bureau continued discussions in 2013 with the Hong Kong construction industry and the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development on liberalisation measures to allow Hong Kong professionals to provide services in the Mainland. Under Supplement X to the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement signed in August, Hong Kong architects are allowed to complete in Hong Kong the elective continuing education courses which Mainland-registered architects must complete to maintain their practice registration. Persons employed under contracts with Hong Kong service suppliers are also allowed to provide professional architectural and engineering services in the Mainland.
The Development Bureau is collaborating with the relevant Mainland authorities to extend mutual recognition of professional qualifications to more professional disciplines in the construction industry.
In September, the Development Bureau and the Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen - Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Co-operation Zone of Shenzhen signed the Qianhai and Hong Kong Co-operation Agreement to explore further liberalisation measures for Hong Kong construction industry professionals and enterprises to provide services directly in Qianhai.
Website
Development Bureau: www.devb.gov.hk
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