Developing New Quality Productive Forces in the Construction Industry

Recently, "New Quality Productive Forces'' has become a hot topic in the industry, and many industry practitioners are eager to understand more about this new policy direction. New Quality Productive Forces are based on advanced productivity with high technology, high efficiency, and high quality. New dynamics, new industries, and new models are generated through innovative thinking, adherence to high quality, and the practice of green production. After conducting some research, I found the concept and its elaboration inspiring to the future development of Hong Kong's construction industry. The Construction Industry Council (CIC) will accelerate the production of "New Quality Productive Forces'' in the industry by cultivating talents, promoting technology applications, facilitating international and regional exchanges, and advocating for green building.

"Global Construction Robotic Day" Gathers Experts and Exhibitors from Home and Abroad

The CIC's Global Construction Robotic Day will be held on 7 and 8 May 2024 at the Hong Kong Science Park. The two-day exhibition will feature 24 exhibitors showcasing their latest technologies, solutions and products, demonstrating the power of construction robots to improve project efficiency, site safety and overall production. The International Forum on the first day will bring together experts from Germany, Spain, Japan, Singapore, Mainland China and Hong Kong to share the latest construction robotics technology. On the morning of the second day, there will be a technical pitching session where exhibitors and experts will explain the key points of construction robotics applications on site.

This event will make Hong Kong's construction technology ecosystem more vibrant, enhance the transformation and industrialisation of scientific and technological achievements, and strengthen industry-academia-research cooperation. If you want to be a pioneer in high-end construction technology, please register now to participate in the event and welcome the new era of widespread application of construction robots! To register, please visit:
https://citac.cic.hk/en-hk/news-and-events/events/upcoming-events/upcoming-events-details/600.

MOUs signed with Construction Industry Associations and Institutes in Guangdong

To align with the national goal of building a high-quality construction industry workforce in the new era, the CIC will continue to strengthen its cooperation with construction industry stakeholders in the Greater Bay Area in the aspect of talent cultivation, so as to make long-term contributions to industry talent training and qualification certification system in the Greater Bay Area. The CIC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Guangzhou Urban Construction Vocational School, Guangzhou Construction Vocational Training School, Building Industrialization Association of Shenzhen, and Shenzhen Construction Industry Association respectively.

The MOU focuses on these four key areas:

1. Organize mutual learning and exchanges for training systems and curriculum development. Promote inter-institutional exchanges for teachers and students. Establish a cooperation platform between mainland organisations and the CIC;
2. Provide training on specific skill sets and establish common standards for the Greater Bay Area;
3. Collaborate in training and facilitate the alignment of skill levels and mutual recognition of qualifications in the future;
4. Jointly provide training for participants of the "World Skills Competition".
   
   

The CIC and the mainland contracting organisations will select several trade skill for pilot training. An expert group from CIC will discuss the implementation timeline with the mainland contracting organisations. All the contracting organizations will continue to empower each other, help lecturers improve their teaching methods for the benefit of students in the Greater Bay Area, and broaden the horizons of both teachers and students. I have high hopes for this cooperation, and I believe that the teaching standards of the construction industry institutions in the Greater Bay Area will be raised, and gain more recognition and affirmation globally.

"2024 Mainland and Hong Kong Construction Forum" Concluded with Great Achievements

The CIC co-organized the "2024 Mainland and Hong Kong Construction Forum" which was successfully held on March 26 and 27 in Guangzhou, attracting over 800 industry professionals from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao region. The theme of this year's event is "Deepening the Collaboration of the Construction Industry in the Mainland and Hong Kong, Building a High Quality Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Taking Forward the Belt and Road Initiative Together". In my speech at the event, I highlighted that Hong Kong has the advantage of being blessed with the strong support from our country and the close connectivity with the world. Hong Kong should actively interact with the mainland to explore new business opportunities, accumulate experience in Modular Integrated Construction (MiC), artificial intelligence and robotics technology, and jointly promote high-quality development in the Greater Bay Area. At the sub-forum on the second day, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development's Technology and Industrialization Development Center and the CIC co-hosted the "Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Construction Technology Innovation Application Exchange Meeting", topics such as the modernisation of the construction industry, efficiency, digitalisation, product quality and housing construction, maintenance and reconstruction planning were discussed, providing the audience with forward-looking perspectives.

In the afternoon, I visited the GMC Grand-Bay Intelligent Manufacturing and Technology Co., Ltd. with the CIC delegation to learn about the concept of "Good Housing" and the operation of MiC and MiMEP (Multi-trade integrated Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing) factories. The aim of "Good Housing" is to enable people to live in a healthy, safe and comfortable environment and to improve the quality of housing. Designers take into account the needs of people of different ages and abilities, create barrier-free facilities and smart homes, strive to move from "dwelling" to "liveability".  "Good Housing" embodies the concept of high quality, new technology, and good service. It brings numerous benefits to the construction industry and to society.  In economic terms, it promotes development, drives industrial growth, and creates job opportunities; in terms of sustainable development, it reduces energy consumption and minimises environmental impact of buildings. I hope that the industry will embrace the concept of "Good Housing" so that companies and employees can grow with the initiative and bring happiness to more citizens in a liveable environment.

In April’s “CIC-See What I See" event, officials, industry representatives, academics, researchers, and social welfare organisations gathered to share their successful experiences in promoting transitional housing in Hong Kong. Panelists explained the details of policy formulation, project management, operation, and community services from multiple angles. Prof LING Kar-kan, Director of Jockey Club Design Institute for Social Innovation of PolyU, summarised the successful strategies for future reference. I also briefly reported my observations of "Good Housing" in Beijing and Guangzhou. I was deeply moved by the enthusiasm and support of Hong Kong society for “Good Housing".

"Hong Kong Green Building Week" Enters its 12th Year

Green buildings in Hong Kong have long become part of our lives, including residential buildings, commercial buildings, schools, cultural landmarks, and revitalised historical buildings. The CIC, together with the Hong Kong Green Building Council, co-organizes the annual large-scale green building public event "Hong Kong Green Building Week" (HKGBW) in the coming September, inviting the public to personally explore and appreciate local green buildings. Green building elements such as smart electricity use and renewable energy are presented to the participants in an interesting manner.

The event brings together the efforts of various green building stakeholders, hosts in-depth community green projects that have received enthusiastic responses, and works together to achieve Hong Kong's goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. "Hong Kong Green Building Week will soon enter its 12th year and will continue to host a series of wonderful activities. Details will be announced later, please stay tuned for promotional information.

Developing the New Quality Productive Forces are the key drivers of high-quality development, the CIC will spare no effort to assist enterprises and workers in our industry to boost the New Quality Productive Forces. By integrating and promoting advances in education, technology, talent and greening, a new innovation ecosystem will be created, giving the industry new competitive advantages in the global competition and adding a strong impetus for the development of the Greater Bay Area.