More support needed for proposed Hong Kong industrial port, lawmakers say
Andrew Lam highlights lack of measures to boost growth in sectors under project, while Wendy Hong calls for incentives to attract firms
Hong Kong lawmakers have raised concerns about insufficient policy support for a proposed industrial port in the western New Territories, with authorities saying more time is needed to draft comprehensive measures to attract leading companies to the city.
Legislators shared their views on Tuesday after the Development Bureau revealed its proposal for a 301-hectare (744-acre) “smart and green industrial port” in Lung Kwu Tan and Tuen Mun West last week. The project covers four growth sectors – green energy, advanced construction, the circular economy and modern logistics.
Andrew Lam Siu-lo, deputy chairman of the legislature’s development panel, urged the government to introduce policies and concepts for developing the four sectors.
“Today, we are talking about developing an industry park. I cannot see any measures for developing industries from the departments in charge,” Lam, who is a planner by profession, told a meeting of the panel.
“We are always using land planning to bring the development of industries forward ... If we continue to discuss it in this way, the same old problems will arise.”
Some key challenges in promoting industrial development were its long payback period and a lack of guaranteed tenants, which deterred developers from taking part in the project, fellow legislator Wendy Hong Wen said.