Hong Kong lawmakers have raised concerns about insufficient policy support for a proposed industrial port in western New Territories, with authorities saying more time is needed to draft comprehensive measures to attract leading companies to the city.
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Legislators shared their views on Tuesday after the Development Bureau revealed its proposal for a 301-hectare “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, circular economy and modern logistics.
Deputy chairman of the legislature’s development panel, Andrew Lam Siu-lo, 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,” said Lam, who is a planner by profession, at the panel’s meeting.
“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.”
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Some key challenges in promoting industry development are its long payback period and a lack of guaranteed tenants, which deters developers from taking part in the project, according to fellow legislator Wendy Hong Wen.