Submissions and Reports

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 welcomes the opportunity to comment on the proposals for the latest two development areas of the Northern Metropolis blueprint – New Territories North (NTN) New Town and Ma Tso Lung. We highlight in our submission comments spanning land use and planning, financing channels, as well as infrastructural support and sustainability, and housing and liveability considerations, to facilitate the Government’s formulation of more detailed plans for these development areas. In particular, we recommend a forward-looking approach with the design of the NTN New Town – with its close proximity to Shenzhen - and seek for clarity on the design and purpose for the proposed land allocations. We also call for the setting of strategic priorities for the development of target industry clusters and enterprises within these areas.

The Chamber is broadly in favour of the Development Bureau’s proposed enhancements to the Buildings Ordinance (Cap. 123) (“CP”), recognizing the importance of such amendments in addressing societal concerns on building and construction safety, and maintaining Hong Kong’s competitiveness as an international city. In terms of implementation, we encourage building owners to take proactive steps in maintaining their properties, whilst advocating for the Government to offer sufficient support, to help the industry achieve compliance, and implement balanced enforcement interventions.

The Chamber generally supports the Government’s proposals to transform Lau Fau Shan into a tech hub and eco-tourism hotspot, in line with its blueprint for the development of the Northern Metropolis. We recognize that such efforts would benefit businesses, particularly the tech sector, through creating opportunities for cross-border corporate synergies and development alongside Qianhai and Nanshan in Shenzhen.
At the same time, we highlight several conceptual and practical issues relating to these proposals, which we suggest that the Government take into consideration when taking forward the megaproject.

The Chamber is generally supportive of the Government’s proposals to strengthen the energy efficiency of buildings and minimize Hong Kong’s carbon footprint through amending the Buildings Energy Efficiency Ordinance (Cap.610) (BEEO). At the same time, as this initiative would entail the expansion of the nature and scope of buildings which would be included under the BEEO, we recommend that consideration could be given by the Government to assessing the necessity and practicality of the proposed measures, as well as further consulting industry stakeholders on the implications of related amendments, so as to strike the right balance between meeting carbon neutrality goals and business needs.

The Chamber welcomes and supports the Development Bureau’s legislative proposal to streamline the arrangement for the extension of land leases as it would enhance clarity and certainty, as well as reduce cost for businesses and households. We venture to suggest that consideration be given to such aspects as including special purpose leases in its scope and extending the gazette notice period to allow greater certainty for commercial planning and investment purposes.

The Chamber welcomes and supports the Development Bureau’s proposed measures to update and streamline the Compulsory Sale Regime. While we believe this is in the right direction to expedite the pace of urban redevelopment and help address Hong Kong’s chronic housing shortage, we venture to suggest that there may be scope for further refining the proposals to ensure that the measures proposed are sufficient to induce market-driven initiatives for larger-scale and comprehensive redevelopment while taking into account minority owners’ interests.

The Chamber welcomes the Government’s initiative to update the Talent List to address Hong Kong’s acute talent shortage situation and sustain a competitive economy, and puts forward recommendations on the necessary high-skilled professions for inclusion in the same.

The Chamber welcomes the HKLRC’s proposals to introduce a bespoke law that deals with the proliferation of cyber-dependent crimes given the risks of such illegal acts on Hong Kong’s businesses. The Chamber has also called for a balanced approach in the design of the new law so that other than the objective of protecting public interest, consideration should also be given to upholding business’ legitimate needs.