Stand by for some creative words from Hutchison Whampoa group managing director Canning Fok at today's Creative Cities event at the University of Hong Kong. Mr Fok is best known as a serious moneymaker for the Li Ka-shing corporate empire but today he will be telling us how Hutchison nurtures creativity. Specifically, at 2.30pm today Mr Fok will give us his insight into creating shareholder wealth. That's right, creativity and money. The usually low profile Mr Fok will also tell us how big companies can boost creativity in the wider world. Creative new methods at Hongkong International Terminals will also get a mention. Prepare also for an inside look at some of Hutchison's favourite creative projects such as 3G phone technology and '3', its new phone service brand. Hutchison tells us Mr Fok rarely gives public speeches, preferring to spend all his time on corporate matters. This event is special: Creative Cities is brought to us by the non-profit British Council, which supplied the concept, and the Li Ka-shing Foundation, which sponsored it. Other big names at the event include Victor Lo Chung-wing, chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries who will talk about 'Hong Kong's Creative Economy'. Boring Brits: Five years after the end of British rule in Hong Kong, doing business in this part of the world is a lot tougher for British companies. Once, they could count on colonial dominance to give them an instant advantage, but alas, those days have passed. To the rescue comes the British government, which is leading a hungry horde of mostly smaller British companies to Hong Kong from November 11 to 14. Our marketing contacts at the British Consulate-General in Hong Kong tell us: 'We are keen to promote the fact that British companies use our services to get a look at the Hong Kong market.' Well here goes. There are some fascinating businesses among the November visitors: no less than 11 companies specialising in trenchless (meaning no trenching required) technologies (TT) which are here for the important Trenchless Asia 2002 exhibition. There is also J-D Associates, a specialist engineering consultancy skilled at pipe-lining systems. How about Kanzan Services, offering pipeline surveys, investigations and analysis as well as TT advice. Another TT specialist is consultancy Advantica Technologies, which sees its target market as the gas delivery market in Hong Kong and Asia Pacific. Still more TT: Halco Directional Drilling Products can help around the house with those challenging rock-drilling projects we are always running into, and Inrock Drilling Services will sell you those vital rock-drilling tools, equipment and services for your next development. Now our favourite: Millenniumpore, a filtration equipment company. We missed mentioning just a few of the British companies coming next week, but don't worry, MKW Engineering, FHP and Neill & Brown, your presence has been noted. And, for those wishing to delve deeper into the wonderful world of trenchless technology, can we recommend a visit to Directional Boring Central ( www.directionalboringcentral.com ) . . . it's not. Grassy knowledge: Reader Mike Hudson, director of estate management at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology has explained the mysterious white markings on grass referred to in yesterday's column. They are formed by a special marking powder used to identify temporary parking spots which the HKUST regularly assigns and removes. See? We knew we were dreaming when we imagined someone was deliberately targeting areas of aesthetic grassland near the HKUST for permanent car parks. Mr Hudson tells us his organisation has a major commitment to the environment and we believe him. Graphic: whee08gbz