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Planning, Land and Infrastructure

In April, the Designated Workers for Designated Skills requirement under the Construction Workers Registration Ordinance took effect. Skilled works on construction sites must be carried out by registered skilled or semi-skilled workers of the relevant trade.

In September, the council launched a construction worker registration system in all construction sites to enhance accuracy and efficiency in the submission of construction workers' daily attendance records, generating useful data for informed decision making.

The council's Construction Innovation and Technology Application Centre opened in November to boost construction productivity, enhance the industry's image, improve the well-being of practitioners and attract capable recruits.

During the year, the council also developed standards, published guidelines and organised a conference to help the industry adopt building information modelling, which the government planned to use in major public works projects from 2018.

Promotion of Professional Services

A new Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation was signed in June under the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA). It strengthens the provisions of previous CEPA agreements and supplements and outlines the basis for cross-boundary cooperation. At the regional level, it deepens cooperation in the Pan-Pearl River Delta region and the pilot free trade zones, including Qianhai, Hengqin and Nansha, and takes forward the mutual recognition of professional qualifications.

During the year, the Qianhai Authority selected a second pilot project to reinforce its commitment to implementing Hong Kong's project management system, and incorporated building surveying and landscape architectural disciplines in a Hong Kong company register on top of the existing architectural, building services, quantity surveying and structural engineering disciplines. Companies listed in the register may provide professional services for projects funded principally by Hong Kong enterprises.

In August, the Development Bureau and the Hengqin Management Committee signed a cooperation agreement modelled on the Qianhai agreement to implement cooperation and liberalisation measures in Hengqin. The bureau is looking to extend the facilitation measures to Nansha and to continue dialogue with Mainland authorities to advance and broaden mutual recognition of professional qualifications between the two sides.

Website

Development Bureau: www.devb.gov.hk

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