(Hong Kong – 4 May 2012). RICS Hong Kong Annual Conference, in its 4th year, was held today at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The theme this year is “Building towards 2021 – Vision for Hong Kong as a World City”.
The conference has invited high profile international speakers to address on topics relating to developing the infrastructure for economic growth and quality city and quality life.
Mr Edward Au, Vice Chairman of RICS Hong Kong Board, welcomed all members and stakeholders who attended the conference and thanked all speakers for their sharing at the beginning of the conference. Focusing on issues relating to development of Hong Kong as a world city, speakers of the conference shared their insight on how to strengthen Hong Kong’s competitiveness through quality of living, culture and heritage, revitalising the industrial environment and the business needs of corporate real estates.
Mr Nicholas Brooke, RICS Past President, Chairman of Professional Property Services Group, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation and Hong Kong Harbourfront Commission, said at his opening keynote speech, “Hong King is at a critical juncture, both in terms of its future direction and the design, delivery and management of its built environment. Population policy, which is driving land supply, projections as well as the current revenue model underlying land use and development need to be reviewed to return Hong Kong ‘World City’ status. RICS, with its cross-disciplinary membership, is well placed to contribute solutions as the new administration addresses these and other property related issues.”
Mr Nigel Smith, Chairman of Organising Committee, said, “The conference has been well received by the audiences who felt that the conference has addressed the topics concerned most Hong Kong people and most of the participants found it inspiring and interesting. Thanks to the invaluable advice from experts from Hong Kong and overseas, this conference has gathered views and opinions that offer important references for real estate profession and relevant government departments. I would like to thank all the speakers for joining us and make this event a remarkable one.”
The overseas and local key-note speakers and panelists included:
| Keynote Speakers | Mr Ling Kar Kan JP | Head of Pre-Kowloon East Development Office, Development Bureau, HKSAR Government |
| Mr Benjamin Ward | Principal Design Director, Asia, Gensler | |
| Mr Raymond Chow FRICS | Executive Director, Hongkong Land | |
| Mr Michael Lynch CBE AM | CEO, West Kowloon Cultural District Authority | |
| Mrs Margaret Brooke FRICS | Chair, Heritage Hong Kong Foundation | |
| Mr Ian Hawksworth FRICS | Chief Executive, Capital & Counties Properties | |
| Mr Lo Chi Hong Laurie JP | Head of Development Opportunities Office, Development Bureau, HKSAR Government | |
| Mr Kyran Sze | Fellow Member, Hong Kong Institute of ArchitectsExecutive Director, Aedas | |
| Mr Leung Kam Leung FRICS | General Manager, Property Planning Department, Henderson Land Development Company | |
| Mr Johnny Dunford MRICS | Global Commercial Director, RICS | |
| Mr Robert Lam | Vice President, Hong Kong Institute of Architects | |
| Panelists | Dr Sujata Govada | Managing Director, UDP Int’lVice President, Hong Kong Institute of Urban Design |
| Mr Michael Moir FRICS | Director of Property, Hong Kong Jockey Club | |
| Mr Chris Law JP | Founding Director, Oval PartnershipChairman, HKIA Environmental & Sustainable Development CommitteeChairman, Blue House Steering Committee | |
| Mr Tony Wan FRICS | Director, Head of General Valuation, Asset Management & Investment Services, Knight Frank | |
| Mr Paul Salnikow | Chief Executive Officer, The Executive Centre | |
| Mr Andrew Watt | Head, Corporate Real Estate, Barclays Capital | |
| Mr Tony Wong | Director, Workplace Resources, Asia Pacific and Japan, Cisco Systems | |
| Moderators | Mr Gavin Morgan MRICS | Chief Operation Officer, Jones Lang LaSalle Hong Kong |
| Mr Craig Shute | Senior Managing Director, Hong Kong, Macau & Taiwan, CBRE | |
| Mr Joseph Tsang | Managing Director, Jones Lang LaSalle Hong Kong | |
| Mr Chris Brooke MRICS | Chairman, RICS Asia BoardPresident & CEO, CBRE Greater China |