Policy Address
Continuous Investment in Infrastructure
74. The Government will continue investing in infrastructure to enhance Hong Kong’s competitiveness. In response to the impact of the epidemic on our economy, we will also position infrastructure investment as a major counter-cyclic measure in stimulating the economy. In this legislative session, the funding for capital works projects approved by the Finance Committee has reached a record high of $220 billion. We expect that the annual capital works expenditure will exceed $100 billion in the coming years.
75. The DEVB will continue to implement “Construction 2.0” and lead the construction industry to reform by advocating “innovation”, “professionalisation” and “revitalisation”, so as to uplift the productivity and skill level of the sector. Wider use of I&T and Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) will also be promoted to shorten construction time, reduce manpower and enhance safety in construction sites. To promote reform of the construction industry and enhance project performance, we are making active preparations for the hosting of an International Construction Leaders Summit next year to share experience and formulate strategies with various stakeholders.
Supporting Tourism
76. The tourism industry has been hard hit by the pandemic and is still in hardship. Besides providing support to the sector, we also need to get prepared for the recovery of the industry. The current-term Government has launched various tourism initiatives and measures over the past four years along the Development Blueprint for Hong Kong’s Tourism Industry promulgated in 2017, including establishing the statutory Travel Industry Authority, strengthening efforts in taking forward cultural, heritage, green and creative tourism projects, completing the strategic planning for cruise industry development, and facilitating the staging of various events and C&E activities. The Government will continue to implement various measures to consolidate the position of Hong Kong as a core demonstration zone for multi-destination tourism and an international tourism hub. The relevant work includes deepening co-operation with the GBA cities, establishing the GBA tourism brand, and attracting more events and C&E activities to Hong Kong through various funding and promotion programmes.
