Long absence has robbed firm of any edge over HK majors, says Vincent Lo
Shui On Land says it has no plans to return to Hong Kong's property market, with economic and political uncertainties making such a move untenable.
The company shifted its investment focus to the mainland in the 1990s with its successful development of the Xintiandi entertainment district in Shanghai. Since then, it has launched no major projects in Hong Kong.
'Home prices [in Hong Kong] have risen too fast, while the adjustment of Hong Kong's economic structure has not been completed,' Shui On chairman Vincent Lo Hong-sui said.
'Political sentiment [surrounding Hong Kong] is also a concern,' he added, without elaborating.
Mr Lo admitted that his firm's long absence from the city had robbed it of any local competitive advantages.
'We do not have a land bank in Hong Kong. That makes it difficult for us to compete with major local developers.'