As a delegate of the HKIS, I attended several important events and meetings in the past month. I would like to take this opportunity to share with you something exciting that is happening for the HKIS and the surveying profession as a whole.
On 25 March 2013, it was a thrill to witness the signing ceremony of the reciprocity agreement between the HKIS and the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (ICES) in relation to the membership reciprocity between our Quantity Surveying Division corporate members and fellows and the members of the ICES Commercial Management Stream after three years of collaboration.
The agreement is a result of the closer collaboration between the two professional bodies, and it is very much worth the time and efforts spent by both sides. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our QSD council members for the tremendous efforts they made.
During 10-12 April 2013, the Planning and Development Division (PDD) organised a technical visit to Shanghai, where our delegation and the representatives from the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Planning and Land Resources, Shanghai Urban-Rural Development and Transport Commission and Shanghai Real Estate Trade Association shared experience over land planning and urban development. We were delighted to introduce our expertise and professional services to the Shanghai city-planning authorities during the visit.
On 16 April 2013, the HKIS representatives attended an industry forum organised by the Qianhai Administrative Bureau, the statutory department performing administrative activities and public services in Qianhai, to discuss the implementation arrangements for liberalising the market. My appreciation goes to Sr Vincent Ho, Vice President of the HKIS, and Sr Joseph Ho, Vice Chairman of GPD of the HKIS, for attending the forum and offering views and inputs, therefore opening up opportunities for Hong Kong surveyors to participate in the future development of Qianhai.
The Quality Property & Facility Management Award 2012 (QPFMA 2012) was jointly organised by The Hong Kong Association of Property Management Companies (HKAPMC) and the HKIS. Met with overwhelming response, a total of 170 award entries had been received. The Award Presentation Banquet was held on 26 April 2013. Representing the HKIS as the co-organiser as well as being a member of the jury panel, I was invited to attend the awards presentation. I would also like to congratulate all the awardees and I was impressed by the innovative solutions and excellent services they are offering to property occupiers.
On 29 April 2013, the representatives from the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China and Economic Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of The Central People's Government in the HKSAR visited the HKIS office. Vice President Sr Vincent Ho, BSD Chairman Sr Robin Leung, a few other BSD Council members and I met with the delegation and offered our views on the “Implementation of Project Management Works undertaken by Hong Kong Companies (Building Surveyors) on the Construction of the Complete Foreign Aid Projects (CFAP)” in China.
In Hong Kong where land resources are scarce, freeing up land for development is often a challenge. In efforts to identify more development sites, however, a Public Engagement exercise named “Enhancing Land Supply Strategy – Reclamation Outside Victoria Harbour and Rock Cavern Development”, steered by the Development Bureau, the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) and the Planning Department, has commenced. A briefing on the activity was held on 25 April 2013 by the representatives from the CEDD to our Executive Committee and Land Policy Panel. Sr CK Lau, Chairman of the Panel, will follow up the submission of our house views. By that time, members are also welcome to share your views and suggestions. The PAQS Congress 2014 will be held in June 2014 in Hong Kong. The Organising Committee, led by HKIS Past President Sr Francis Leung, is working hard for the preparation and promotion of the event. I believe that the Congress will provide an excellent platform for technical sharing and exploring business opportunities. It would also be one of the signature events to coincide with our 30th Anniversary. I look forward to your support in this regard.
Sr Stephen Lai
President |
