Financial Secretary Antony Leung Kam-chung is chairing a new taskforce to co-ordinate the redevelopment of Ocean Park as it prepares to face up to the challenge of the Disney theme park.
The Taskforce on Redevelopment of Ocean Park and Tourist Attractions in Aberdeen held its first meeting two weeks ago. Members include planning and tourism officials, and Invest Hong Kong director-general Mike Rowse, a spokesman for Mr Leung said.
Mr Rowse was the SAR's chief government official who helped negotiate the Disney deal, which does not include an exclusivity contract.
The internal taskforce will 'brainstorm on practical ways forward' for Ocean Park to develop as the driving force in tourism around Aberdeen. More concrete proposals are expected by the end of September.
A source said Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa, Chief Secretary Donald Tsang Yam-kuen and Mr Leung met the park's board of directors in May and decided to set up the taskforce to clear jurisdiction confusions between departments.
Currently, the Planning Department is conducting a study on the development of Aberdeen harbour, while the Home Affairs Bureau is reviewing the possibility of an amendment in the law to allow Ocean Park to seek external revenue. 'The government has decided to take the Aberdeen and Ocean Park development to a higher level to provide a forum for clearer policy directions,' Mr Leung's spokesman said.
It is hoped that the taskforce would 'untie the knots' between departments and speed up the development of Ocean Park and Aberdeen harbour.