Bill for National Day fireworks show doubles

Spending on this year's National Day harbour fireworks display will be double that of last year because of the rising costs of manufacturing and raw materials.

The 23-minute show on October 1 will cost more than HK$8 million - compared with last year's price tag of HK$3.5 million.

'Materials costs have risen 30 per cent,' said Wilson Mao Wai-shing, chief executive of Pyromagic Productions, the company responsible for fireworks displays for the National Day celebration since 2007.

Mao said the appreciation of the yuan also contributed to the soaring costs as all manufacturing was carried out on the mainland. Spending on wages, transport and fireworks testing on the mainland was also on the rise.

'It might even cost more than HK$8 million. It's still uncertain,' he said. 'But it will be one of the biggest shows the city has ever seen.'

This year's extravaganza involves four tonnes of fireworks launched from four barges. It will consist of nine displays using 31,888 fireworks that will feature a series of themes including 'unity is strength' and 'the pride of the nation'.