(香港，2023年2月22日) 就財政司司長於今天 (2月22日) 發表之2023-24年度《財政預算案》，香港工程師學會 (下稱「學會」) 歡迎政府採納學會早前向政府提交的部份建議，幫助香港克服復常及全球經濟環境不明朗的陰霾。學會對今次的財政預算案，有以下回應：
人才競爭
學會理解到勞工及福利局將更新「人才清單」，並於年中展開新一輪人力資源推算。學會希望指出，工程業界及建造業界的人力資源，對香港未來基建、創科、工業及其他各類發展有着重要影響，希望政府考慮學會早前建議增加工程公司參與香港工程師學會培訓計劃（即工程畢業生培訓計劃/仲會員培訓計劃）的補貼金額及名額，並為聘請海外畢業生的公司提供短期資助，提高聘請畢業生的誘因。同時，學會亦希望政府考慮推出合適計劃，保障及提升在職專業人士待遇以挽留人才，防止進一步的人才流失而令工程行業人手短缺問題急速惡化。在這方面，學會去年3月向政府提交了《關於工務工程合約和顧問合約採購政策研究》報告，建議採取措施杜絕部份業界低價搶標情況。
另外，學會歡迎政府向資優教育基金額外注資6億元，以加強支援香港資優教育學苑及相關校外教育服務，進一步推動STEAM教育。學會期望政府進一步投放資源，在中小學、特別是初中階段推行STEAM教育，學會樂意繼續與教育局及相關部門合作，推動各項相關計劃，長遠為工程專業建立人才庫。
規劃基建發展
學會歡迎政府接納學會建議，計劃成立基礎建設債券計劃，更好管理大型基建的現金流需要。學會認為，基建屬於長期投資，為日後發展創造容量，基礎建設債券計劃有助政府減少相關投放財政資源，亦為機構投資者及市民提供一個優質的投資機會。
同時，學會認為政府需加緊落實北部都會區及交椅洲人工島發展，為相關項目制訂基建發展藍圖，協調各個發展區的規劃及基建，避免互相爭奪資源，這將有助業界健康發展，防止項目進度受阻。
促進土地和房屋供應
儘管政府加快造地，但建屋、發展始終需時。除了興建簡約公屋及檢視法定程序，學會期望政府增加支援滿足一定條件的申請人，在確保質量安全大前提下，政府的角色應除「監管者」外，增加「促進者」角色。為加快項目進度，亦應精簡審批流程。學會去年9月發表相關研究報告並詳列建議：Recommendations on Streamlining Building Works and Infrastructure Development Processes(內容僅限英語)
學會樂見政府接納學會早前的建議，研究及落實加強組裝合成組件供應鏈的措施，並研究成立建築研發及測試中心及興建首座先進建造業產業大樓。學會希望指出，業界及香港整體均面對勞動人口下降的情況，以科技提升效率，有助減輕人手問題，同時促進整個產業鏈的發展，以更少資源做到更好的效果。
促進創科及新型工業化發展
學會支持政府發展數碼基建，推動數碼轉型、鞏固香港科研優勢、培育科技初創公司和人才，以及推動「新型工業化」。學會樂見政府以更大的財政承擔及鼓勵措施，涵蓋數字經濟、第三代互聯網、科研及「專利盒」稅務優惠等。學會認為，措施有助鞏固香港在人工智能、生物科技等相關領域的領先優勢，「專利盒」稅務寬減亦有一定吸引力，有助減輕企業的研發成本，然而相關稅率需要在國際具備競爭力，學會期望政府加緊研究，爭取早於明年上半年提交修例建議。
建設智慧、綠色及具抗禦力的城市
政府預留資源推動各項新能源運輸，包括開展氫燃料電池雙層巴士及重型車輛的試驗，資助渡輪營辦商建造及試驗電動渡輪和相關充電設施，以及提供百分百擔保貸款，鼓勵的士車主更換純電動的士。學會認為，在試驗過後，更應推動後續的廣泛應用，建議政府在賣地及短期租約招標文件條款中，要求中標者或租戶提供一定數量的電動車充電設施。
學會樂見政府與機管局全力推動「機場城市」發展策略，以及完善飛機租賃稅務優惠制度，推動香港成為飛機租賃及服務中心。學會相信措施有助推動本港飛機工程業的發展，繼續鞏固香港國際航空樞紐的地位。
在廢物處理方面，政府增加6,200萬元的撥款，為更多公私營場所收集廚餘，擴大公共屋邨收集廚餘的試驗計劃。學會期望撥出財政資源之餘，政府亦可以增加分配土地予回收行業，鼓勵減少廢物棄置量的同時，亦可刺激回收行業的發展。
把握大灣區機遇
大灣區內經濟充滿創新活力，多個城市在不同產業各有優勢，為了幫助專業人士「走出去」，學會期望政府牽頭與內地有關部門探討專業資格互認，讓更多工程師通過CEPA或其他相關協議在內地執業。
在外圍環境不明朗之下，香港與內地及大灣區的合作將更為重要，香港工程師學會學會及工程界將繼續貢獻專業工程知識和能力，與各界攜手建設更美好的香港。
如欲垂詢，請與香港工程師學會傳訊統籌部聯絡。
電話：2895 4446
傳真：2882 6825
(Hong Kong, 22 February 2023) In regard to the 2023-2024 Budget delivered by the Financial Secretary on 22 February, the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (hereafter “the HKIE”) welcomed the Administration’s adoption of some of the recommendations that the HKIE submitted to it earlier, believing that the Budget would help Hong Kong overcome the gloom cast by its return to normality and by the uncertainty of the global economic environment. The HKIE’s response to the Budget are as follows:
Competing for talents
The HKIE understands that the Labour and Welfare Bureau will update the Talent List and will commence a new round of manpower projections in the middle of this year. The HKIE wishes to point out the profundity of the impact made by the manpower of the engineering and construction industries upon Hong Kong’s future development in infrastructure, innovation and technology, manufacturing, and various other areas. The HKIE hopes that the Administration can consider its earlier recommendation to increase the governmental subsidy and quota for engineering companies joining the HKIE Formal Training Schemes (Scheme “A” / AM Training) and can incentivise the employment of overseas graduates by offering short-term subsidies to companies that employ them. At the same time, the HKIE also hopes the Administration will consider launching appropriate schemes to retain talents by safeguarding and enhancing the treatment of working professionals and prevent further talent wastage caused by the rapid deterioration of manpower shortage in the engineering industries. In this regard, the HKIE submitted the report on the “Research on Procurement Policy Review for Works Contracts and Consultancy Contracts” in March last year, recommending implementation of measures to eradicate certain states of affairs involving unreasonably low bids.
The HKIE also welcomes the Administration’s auxiliary $600-million capital injection into the Gifted Education Foundation (GEF), which strengthens the support for the Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education (HKAGE) and related services in extramural education, thereby furthering STEAM education. The HKIE expects the Administration to put in more resources to promote STEAM education in primary and secondary schools, especially at the junior secondary level. The HKIE stands ready to continue its collaboration with the Education Bureau and applicable departments to advance the relevant schemes, building the engineering profession’s reserve of talent in the long run.
Planning for infrastructural development
The HKIE welcomes the Administration’s acceptance of its recommendation to map out a plan to set up an Infrastructure Bond Scheme to better manages the cashflow needs of major infrastructure projects. The HKIE holds that as infrastructure is a long-term investment for the territory, there is a need to build developmental capacity. The Infrastructure Bond Scheme is of use to the Administration in reducing the relevant investment of financial resources, while providing institutional investors and citizens with a fine investment option.
At the same time, the HKIE holds that the Administration needs to press ahead with the developments of the Northern Metropolis and the Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands, to formulate an Infrastructure Development Blueprint for the relevant projects, and to coordinate the planning and infrastructure of different development areas so that the competitions for resources among these areas may be prevented. This will facilitate the wholesome development of the industry and preclude the progress of the projects from being impeded.
Promoting land and housing supply
Despite attempts by the Administration to expedite land production, housing construction and development take time at bottom. Apart from building Light Public Housing and reviewing statutory processes, the HKIE expects the Administration to step up assistance to applicants who satisfy certain necessary criteria and augment the government’s role as a “regulator”, but also as a “facilitator” provided, of course, that quality and safety are not compromised. Approval processes should also be streamlined to accelerate the progress of the projects. Detailed recommendations were made earlier in the HKIE’s report in September 2022: Recommendations on Streamlining Building Works and Infrastructure Development Processes (English only)
The HKIE is glad that the Administration has accepted its earlier recommendation to study and put in place measures that strengthen the supply chain of the Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) modules, and to conduct a study on establishing the Building Testing and Research Institute and construct the first advanced construction industry building. The HKIE wishes to point out that the industry, as well as Hong Kong as a whole, is confronted with a reduction of its workforce. Employing technology to boost efficiency would mitigate the manpower issue while fostering the development of the whole production chain and attaining the effect of achieving more with fewer resources.
Fostering the developments of innovation & technology and New Industrialisation
The HKIE supports the Administration’s development of digital infrastructure, the promotion of digital transformation, the fortification of Hong Kong’s advantages in scientific research, the cultivation of technological startups and talents, and the advancement of “New Industrialisation”. The HKIE is pleased that the Administration, with its regard for greater financial affordability, has implemented support measures that encompass the digital economy, Web3, scientific research, and “Patent Box” Tax Incentive etc. The HKIE is of the view that these measures will help consolidate the leading edge that Hong Kong enjoys in area such as artificial intelligence and biotechnology, and that “Patent Box” tax concessions boast a certain attractiveness in their ability to help lower the research costs that businesses need to pay. Nevertheless, the tax rates involved must be competitive on the international scene. The HKIE’s expectation is that the Administration will expedite its study and will make every effort to submit the legislative amendments before the first half of next year.
Building a Smart, Green and Resilient City
The Administration has reserved resources for the advancement of various kinds of New Energy Transport. These advancements include the commencement of trials for hydrogen fuel cell electric double-deck buses and heavy vehicles, the provision of subsidies to ferry operators for the construction and trials of electric ferries and the related charging facilities, and the granting of loans with 100% guarantees to taxi owners to encourage them to exchange their taxis for battery-powered electric ones. The HKIE opines that, after the trials, their subsequent wide applications should be promoted more. The HKIE suggests stating, in the terms and conditions of the tender documents for land sale and short-term tenancies, that the successful tenderers or tenants should provide a certain number of electric vehicle (EV) charging facilities.
The HKIE is delighted by the all-out efforts made by the Administration and the Airport Authority Hong Kong to pursue the “Airport City” development strategy and to perfect the Aircraft Leasing Preferential Tax Regime—efforts that give impetus to Hong Kong’s transformation into an aircraft leasing and services hub. The HKIE believes that the measure would help Hong Kong’s aircraft engineering industry to make headway in its development, consolidating Hong Kong’s status as an International Aviation Hub continually.
Regarding waste management, the Administration has allocated an additional $62 million to food waste collection in a greater number of public and private premises, while extending the food waste collection trial scheme for public rental housing estates. Beyond the allocations of financial resources, the HKIE hopes that the Administration can expand the provision of land for the recycling industry, which will not only encourage a decrease in waste disposal but also stimulate businesses in the recycling industry.
Leveraging Opportunities in the GBA
The economy within the Greater Bay Area abounds with novelty and vitality, with many of its cities having their respective edges in different industries. To assist professionals in “going global”, the HKIE expects the Administration to take the lead in discussing qualification benchmarking and professional practice with mainland authorities to allow more engineers to practise in the Mainland via CEPA or other related agreements.
Given the uncertainty of the external environment, the collaboration between Hong Kong and the Mainland, particularly the Greater Bay Area, is all the more important. The HKIE and the engineering industry will continue to make contributions with their professional engineering knowledge and capabilities and join hands with all sectors to build a better Hong Kong.
For media enquiries, please contact:
The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers
Corporation Communications Section
Tel: 2895 4446
Fax: 2882 6825
Email: corpcom@hkie.org.hk