（香港，2024年2月1日）香港工程師學會（下稱「學會」）已向財政司司長提交了建議，供其在編製二○二四／二五年度《財政預算案》時考慮。學會的建議著重於改善香港經濟、促進發展以及應對現在及未來的重要挑戰，提出重點領域和戰略性措施，以維持經濟復甦、鞏固香港作為全球金融和創新樞紐的地位。
- 基建設施發展
學會認同基建設施發展對推動經濟增長和滿足社會需求相當重要，並強調以下重點：
- 協調發展計劃並調整優先次序；
- 在大型基建項目中優化資源配置，以成本效益為主要考慮；
- 仔細審視工程開支，保持公共財政健康，以應對香港財政儲備下降的情況；
- 考慮採用公私營機構合作（PPP）和私營機構注資（PFI）。
- 吸引人才
為應對工程行業可預見的人手短缺、培養和留住本地人才，以及吸引海外專業人士，學會提出以下建議：
- 將工程公司參與香港工程師學會工程畢業生培訓計劃（EGTS）而聘用工程畢業生作為見習生的政府補貼提升至每月 10,000 港元；
- 增加EGTS配額，鼓勵公司以更有競爭力的薪酬僱用工程畢業生；
- 加強與內地合作，為工程師在大灣區開創更多機會；
- 為僱用每位海外畢業生的公司提供約每月10,000港元的津貼，為期兩年；
- 建立專款以支持專業機構吸引優秀人才來港。
學會預計與廣東省工程師學會的資格互認協議將擴展到更多工程界別，進一步提升工程人才的流動性。
另外，學會正積極與教育局合作推動「工程伴理行」計劃，將小學和中學與工程師配對，以推廣STEAM（科學、科技、工程、藝術及數學）教育。學會希望政府增加資金和支持，以加強計劃影響力。我們又建議將更多資源分配至「一校一工程師」和「回母校計劃」等項目，以提升學生對工程的興趣。
- 土地和房屋供應
學會建議政府考慮採用PPP和PFI的方式，加快土地填海、北部都會區和交通網絡的開發，以降低政府的前期成本並改善整體現金流。
在老化建築物的安全問題上，學會建議：
- 採用無人機等創新方法，識別高風險建築物並發出強制驗樓通知；
- 先利用有關部門的資源執行驗樓和維修工作，其後再向業主收取費用及相關罰款，以有效地保障公共安全。
- 創新和科技發展
學會認同創新和科技作為推動香港經濟增長的新引擎，並提出以下建議：
- 設立分兩級或三級的稅務優惠制度，據聘任數量遞升優惠，以鼓勵企業僱用本地人才；
- 進行立法修訂，促進氫燃料從生產、儲存、運輸以至應用的產業鏈；
- 為氫燃料研發提供土地資源；
- 向僱用本地工程師和技術人員的香港公司提供補貼，以便其為僱員提供更優厚薪酬條件，吸引更多工程人才入行。
- 建設智能、綠色和高韌性城市
在環境保護方面，學會建議：
- 為鼓勵使用電動車，在新發展區預留空間安裝電動車充電設施，確保充電網絡完善；
- 支援中小企綠色轉型，並制定促進長期可持續發展的法規；
- 提供財政資源、無息貸款、租金和稅收優惠，鼓勵和促進回收業發展；
- 擴大生產者責任計劃的範圍，涵蓋更多產品和包裝材料。
作為香港工程專業團體，學會將繼續與政府、行業持份者和公眾合作，提供專業建議，為香港的長期繁榮和福祉作出貢獻。
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, 1 February 2024) The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) has submitted a set of recommendations to the Financial Secretary for consideration in formulating the 2024-25 Budget. With a focus on improving Hong Kong’s economy, promoting development, and addressing crucial current and future challenges, the HKIE’s submission highlights key areas of concern and proposed strategic measures to sustain economic recovery and consolidate Hong Kong’s position as a global financial and innovation hub.
- Infrastructure Development
Recognising the significance of infrastructure development in driving economic growth and addressing the society’s needs, the HKIE emphasises the importance of
- coordinated and prioritised development plans;
- cost-effectiveness and optimal resource allocation for large-scale infrastructure projects;
- careful examination of the total estimated construction expenditure to maintain healthy public finance amidst Hong Kong’s declining fiscal reserves;
- considering the adoption of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and Private Finance Initiative (PFI).
- Trawling for Talents
To address the projected manpower shortage in the engineering sector by nurturing and retaining local talents as well as attracting overseas professionals, the HKIE recommends:
- raising financial subsidies for eligible Scheme “A” companies employing graduates under the Engineering Graduate Training Scheme (EGTS) to HK$10,000 per month;
- expanding the quota for EGTS to encourage companies to hire more engineering graduates at competitive salaries;
- strengthening collaborationwith the Mainland to open more career opportunities for engineers in the GBA;
- offering a two-year subsidy of approximately HK$10,000 per month to companies employing each overseas graduate;
- establishing a dedicated fund to support professional bodies in their initiatives to attract talented individuals to Hong Kong
The HKIE also anticipates its Mutual Recognition Area (MRA) with the Guangdong Institution of Engineers to expand to more engineering disciplines, facilitating greater mobility for engineering talents.
The HKIE is actively collaborating with the Education Bureau on the “Engineers on Campus” programme, which pairs primary and secondary schools with engineers to promote STEAM education. To enhance the programme’s impact, the HKIE calls for increased funding and support from the Administration. We also suggest allocating more resources to programmes like “One School One Engineer” and “Back to School Programme” to generate greater interest in engineering among students.
- Land and Housing Supply
The HKIE recommends adopting PPP and PFI approaches for expediting land reclamation, the development of the Northern Metropolis and transport networks, to reduce the Government’s upfront costs and improve the overall cashflow.
On safety concerns related to ageing buildings, the HKIE proposes
- implementing innovative methods such as drone supervision systems to identify higher-risk buildings and issue Mandatory Building Inspection Scheme notices; and
- allocating necessary resources of the Authority and recovering the costs from building owners, along with penalties, to safeguard public safety effectively.
- Innovation and Technology Development
Recognising the role of innovation and technology as the new engine of Hong Kong’s growth, the HKIE suggests
- establishing a two- or three-tiered taxation benefit system that offers increasing benefits corresponding to the number of recruits, to incentivise enterprises to employ local talents;
- pursuing legislative amendments to facilitate the production, storage, transportation and application of hydrogen fuel;
- providing land to support the R&D of the full hydrogen fuel production chain; and
- providing subsidies for Hong Kong companies employing local engineers and technologists so that companies may provide employees with a more favourable package and thus attract more talents to join the engineering industry.
- Building a Smart, Green, and Resilient City
Concerning environmental protection, the HKIE recommends
- reserving space for electrical vehicle (EV) chargers in new development areas and ensuring a robust charging network to encourage the use of EVs;
- the Administration provide support for small- and medium-sized enterprises transitioning to green practices and formulate regulations that facilitate long-term sustainability;
- providing financial resources, interest-free loans, rent and rate relief, and tax concessions to incentivise and stimulate recycling businesses; and
- expanding the scope of Producer Responsibility Scheme to cover more products and packaging materials.
As a professional body representing engineers in Hong Kong, the HKIE will continue to engage with the Government, industry stakeholders, and the public to provide professional advice and recommendations and contribute to the long-term prosperity and well-being of Hong Kong.
For media enquiries, please contact:
The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers
Corporate Communications Section
Tel: 2895 4446
Fax: 2882 6825
Email: corpcom@hkie.org.hk