13
Planning, Land and Infrastructure
Promotion of Professional Services
The Agreement on Trade in Services under the Agreement Concerning Amendment to the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) was signed in November. Preferential measures will be introduced for services related to construction and engineering. One of the key measures is to allow Hong Kong construction professionals who have obtained relevant qualifications in the Mainland to extend their services from Guangdong, Guangxi and Fujian to all provinces of the Mainland.
In September, the HKSAR Government signed a cooperation agreement with the Administrative Committee of the Nansha Area of Guangzhou of China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone. A cooperation mechanism will be established to enhance information exchange and promote collaboration among enterprises and professionals of the construction and related sectors in Hong Kong and Nansha, in order to benefit both Hong Kong and Guangzhou's economic development in the long run and promote the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong- Macao Greater Bay Area.
Greening, Landscape and Tree Management
The bureau's Greening, Landscape and Tree Management Section is the central authority with overall policy responsibility in formulating and coordinating landscape and tree management strategies and initiatives. It promotes a holistic approach to landscape and tree management, advocating adequate space allocation for new planting, proper selection of plant species, quality landscape design and planting practices in the upstream, and proper tree maintenance in the downstream, with public safety as a paramount consideration.
The section, together with departments that also look after trees, manages trees in areas with high traffic and pedestrian flow according to the Guidelines for Tree Risk Assessment and Management Arrangement, promotes the Handbook on Tree Management to private property owners, helps develop an adequate and quality workforce for the arboriculture and horticulture industry, and raises awareness of proper tree management.
In November, the section published an update of the guidelines to enhance the qualification requirements of inspection officers who conduct tree risk assessments, and to adjust the risk assessment methodologies with reference to the latest international standards. In December, a set of Specification of Competency Standards for the arboriculture and horticulture industry was promulgated.
Websites
Construction 2.0 - Time to Change: www.hkc2.hk/en/index.php Development Bureau: www.devb.gov.hk
Hong Kong GeoData Store: geodata.gov.hk
205
Page 255Page 256
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.