HONG KONG Institution of Engineers (HKIE) is optimistic that it will be easier to iron out details for mutual recognition of its engineering disciplines now that the first agreement has been signed.
It took more than two years for the HKIE to finalise the reciprocal agreement on structural engineers with the mainland's National Administration Board of Engineering Registration (Structural).
President James Kwan said the difficulty lay in finding common ground to allow mutual recognition of structural engineers, because engineering skills on the mainland were not broken down into the same disciplines as those in Hong Kong.
He said geotechnical and electrical engineering would probably be the next two of the HKIE's 16 engineering disciplines to enjoy reciprocal recognition.
'It is difficult to say how long it will take, but it will probably take less time than it did the first time.'
He was confident the HKIE would continue to have the Hong Kong government's support in securing recognition from mainland authorities for the other disciplines.