We recognize the Government's commitment to achieving carbon neutrality and achieving energy efficiency as part of its roadmap for consolidating Hong Kong’s competitiveness as a leading international city – with the District Cooling Services (DCS) mechanism and its proposed expansion to cover the Kwu Tung North New Development Area (KTN NDA) , Tung Chung New Town Extension (East) (TCNTE(E)), as well as additional new areas within the Kai Tak DCS, part and parcel of these objectives. At the same, we put forward several general recommendations regarding the proposals' design, user implications and cost recovery considerations. We also suggest that in implementing the legislative amendments, a comprehensive assessment of consumer and business needs, as well as evaluation of the commercial viability of the proposed expansions of the DCS, be conducted to maximize the scheme’s efficacy.

The Chamber commends the Government's ongoing efforts to advance the Northern Metropolis (NM) mega-project and have submitted our latest general recommendations to support its comprehensive development in the short and medium term. Specifically, we have conveyed our members' perspectives on the design and execution of the Pilot Large-Scale Land Disposal Scheme, emphasizing key considerations such as financial and investment aspects, as well as land supply and management challenges. These insights aim to encourage industry participation and foster effective collaboration with the Government in building this new metropolis.

The Chamber expresses in principle support to the HKEX’s proposals to enhance its IPO Price Discovery and Open Market Requirements framework, recognizing that this approach aligns with internationally recognized best practices for regulation, focusing solely on instances where a clear and demonstrable need for regulation is necessary. As part of our recommendations, we advocate that the requirement of enhanced disclosure in the IPO listing prospectus of a possible downward adjustment of up to 10 per cent below the indicative offer price be removed, as investors’ interests are sufficiently protected by present rules.