HONG KONG, CHINA - Media OutReach - 19 May 2017 - More
than 300
business leaders and surveying professionals redefined approaches for
sustainable growth and prosperity in Hong Kong at the RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) Hong Kong Annual
Conference 2017. The event took place
today at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong.
As Hong Kong SAR celebrates its 20th anniversary, this year's conference
focused on how technologies, regulations and regional connectedness are
reshaping opportunities and challenges facing the city and the Asia-Pacific region.
RICS gathered local and overseas experts from a range of industries to discuss the
driving forces for the real estate and financial sectors, as well as the strategies to seize
the growth potential offered by these markets.
In the opening address, Guest of Honour
Mr Bernard Charnwut CHAN, GBS, JP, Executive Council Member, Hong Kong SAR Government, said, "For Hong Kong to stay competitive as well as
liveable, we must use our land resources optimally and have a sustainable
approach to tackle new issues such as conservation of energy, environment and
heritage. It is not an overstatement to say the role of surveyors is very
critical to Hong Kong's future".
Hong Kong's
macroeconomic developments and policies were critically reviewed at the
conference. The Hon Mrs Regina IP LAU Suk-yee, GBS, JP, Legislative Council
Member, Hong Kong SAR Government, reckoned China's Belt and Road Initiative
will cement Hong Kong's position as the region's major trade and logistic hub,
as well as the launchpad for Chinese companies going overseas.
A discussion of
the city's strategic land-use and development plan beyond 2030 was led by Mr Eric MA Siu-cheung, JP, Secretary for
Development, Hong Kong SAR Government. "The
proposals in the Hong Kong 2030+ plan would invariably bring about a plethora
of opportunities for smart and affordable retrofit solutions and low carbon
design. What the Government needs are
the support and participation from all sectors to build a truly liveable,
competitive and sustainable Hong Kong," said
Mr Ma.
"This year's conference provides a platform to bounce ideas on how
businesses can better capture emerging opportunities and overcome new
challenges. I believe Hong Kong and the city's well-trained surveying
professionals are best positioned to benefit from this wave by adopting and
making reference to the highest professional standards locally and
internationally," said Mr Clement LAU
FRICS, Chair of RICS Hong Kong Board.
About RICS
Confidence through professional standards
RICS promotes and enforces the highest professional
qualifications and standards in the development and management of land, real
estate, construction and infrastructure. Our name promises the consistent
delivery of standards -- bringing confidence to the markets we serve.
We accredit 125,000
professionals and any individual or firm registered with RICS is subject to our
quality assurance. Their expertise covers property, asset valuation, real
estate management; the development of infrastructure; and the management of natural
resources, such as mining, farms and woodland. From environmental assessments
and building controls to negotiating land rights in an emerging economy; if our
members are involved the same professional standards and ethics apply.
We believe that standards
underpin effective markets. With up to seventy per cent of the world's wealth
bound up in land and real estate, our sector is vital to economic development,
helping to support stable, sustainable investment and growth around the globe.
With offices covering the
major political and financial centres of the world, our market presence means
we are ideally placed to influence policy and embed professional standards. We
work at a cross-governmental level, delivering international standards that
will support a safe and vibrant marketplace in land, real estate, construction
and infrastructure, for the benefit of all.
We are proud of our
reputation and work hard to protect it, so clients who work with an RICS
professional can have confidence in the quality and ethics of the services they
receive.
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