
(香港,2024年10月16日) 香港工程師學會(下稱「學會」) 歡迎政府今日發表的《2024年施政報告》,對於多項惠及民生、經濟、社會發展等範疇的工作表示強烈支持,呼應「齊改革同發展、惠民生建未來」的主題。學會認同行政長官提出的一系列措施,不但有利香港整體的可持續發展,善用香港作為「超級聯繫人」及「超級增值人」的優勢,更是以行動回應第20屆三中全會通過有關深化改革的決定。
創新和新型工業化
學會提倡在上游領域進行研究、注入資本和培養人才,在中游領域進行研發成果的轉化和商品化,在下游領域進行工業發展。學會認同政府制訂香港新型工業中長期發展方案,相信可以有助促進「政、產、學、研、投」緊密協作,構建香港新型工業合作平台,在上、中、下游全面推動創新科技及新型工業化,回應國家大力促進「新質生產力」的發展。
學會認同政府因應香港的優勢產業,設立100億元「創科產業引導基金」,加強引導市場資金投資指定策略性新興和未來產業,系統性建設創科產業生態圈,並回應學會提出優化「創科創投基金」的建議,投資策略性產業的初創企業,進一步提升香港初創生態圈建設。
為了促進初創企業的成長,政府亦計劃推出的「創科加速器先導計劃」,並撥款1.8億元,以配對資金形式,吸引海內外具豐富經驗的專業初創企業服務機構在香港建立加速器基地。
工程師是協助創科落地的重要因素,學會希望政府能考慮為符合香港新型工業化範疇或指定學術及研發的機構,向聘請本地工程師和技術人員的領先企業和本地產業,推出優惠政策,以及放寬限制發明者利潤比例的規定,作為誘因,鼓勵創新及初創發展。
吸引人才
學會相信香港深具條件成為國際高端人才集聚地,並樂見政府對人才政策的重視。在多項搶人才的新政策中,學會相信更新「人才清單」、擴大「高端人才通行證計劃」大學名單、延長高收入人才的首個簽證期限至三年等均對行業發展有積極、正面的影響,而優化「一般就業政策」和「輸入內地人才計劃」,新增渠道吸引年輕及具經驗而人力極短缺的指定技術工種專才來港,以及延長本港大學的大灣區校園畢業生納入「留港╱回港就業安排」的試行安排,均有助滿足行業對人才的需求,成為建設香港的寶貴人力資源。
學會留意到「人才服務辦公室」計劃擴大合作伙伴網絡,與業界及僱主團體共辦線上線下招聘會,讓僱主與人才進行直接職業配對,學會相信過去多年的經驗可以協助辦公室的相關推廣,令吸引人才的工作相得益彰。
除要吸引及留住外地人才外,學會期望政府能於本地工程畢業生的培訓方面,增加向提供香港工程師學會工程畢業生培訓計劃的公司的資助金額從港元5,610提升至港元10,000或以上,並資助名額從272名增加到 1,000名,以鼓勵公司為工程畢業生提供更高的起薪,以吸引和挽留本地人才。
學會今年以來在專業資格認可擴展取得不少進展,包括成功構建香港首批工程專業的職稱評價機制,未來亦會繼續加強與内地合作和推動對話,擴展到更多工程範疇,期望得到政府支持,吸引更多工程專才來港服務。學會樂見政府與廣東省及澳門合作,就建造技術工人及人員的技術水平建立「灣區標準」,並推展「一試多證」安排,通過灣區標準考試,可同時獲發三地的職業技能證書,提升整個大灣區的建造業培訓質素,培養人才。
土地和房屋供應
增加土地供應是改善市民居住環境及生活質素的重要一環。學會樂見政府計劃於明年內完成交椅洲人工島項目填海部分的法定環評程序,市區重建局亦會在完成技術評估後,向政府出荃灣及深水埗更新大綱藍圖,並制訂利用新土地推動大型舊區重建項目的政策建議。
學會樂見政府採納學會的建議,鼓勵部門採用「促進者」的協作性思維和工作模式,加快各種項目的發展,包括善用業界資源提速提效,把較小規模或臨時構築物的審批,改由專業人士自行認證;檢討建築設計標準,並促進國內外具成本效益的建築物料及建造技術於本地應用,降低建造成本;以及擴大發展局轄下項目促進辦事處的職權除協調部門加快審批包括北都創科及其他產業發展項目的土地使用。學會期望部門能夠協作促成項目發展,理順土地發展的程序,為簡化行政及發展程序,奠下良好的基礎。
學會樂見政府採納建議,進一步推動公營房屋建築和管理數字化及促進創新科技應用,包括在新建公營房屋項目的發展及建造過程中應用項目資訊管理及分析平台、設計及規劃的新建「組裝合成」建築法項目中應用第二代「組裝合成」建築法,以及在所有新建築(上蓋)工程合約標書中列明可使用建築機械人的工序部分,提升建屋質量和速度。
同時,政府計劃推出「組裝合成」製造商認證計劃,配合內地作為生產基地,促進粵港建築業優勢互補,以及檢視和優化香港沿用多年的建築標準,促進海內外優質並具成本效益的建築物料於本地應用,亦有利「國標」開拓國際市場,學會認為這正正發揮香港工程界作為「超級聯繫人」的優勢。
學會亦歡迎政府以立法方式制訂住宅樓宇分間單位的出租制度,有序取締不合標的劏房。學會樂意就合標的「簡樸房」的標準、細節等提供意見,為基層提供宜居的居住空間。
教育
教育是對未來的投資。培育人才,需要從小做起。學會在中小學STEAM教育方面,教育局會成立「數字教育策略發展督導委員會」,推動數字教育,亦會更新初中科學科課程,並支援教師使用人工智能教學。學會認同相關更新有助教師及學生裝備自己,迎接人工智能帶來的機遇和挑戰。學會認為可以更進一步增加培訓教師在教授當前課程中,引入工程實踐的資源比例,激發學生對科學和工程科目的興趣。學會亦敦促政府檢視和修訂現有大學工程學科的入讀要求和中學課程,冀吸引具備多元能力的同學追求工程方面的學術或未來職業發展。
在應用科學方面,政府會為職業訓練局新成立的香港資訊科技學院興建校舍以及發展升降機及自動梯技術中心,有助推動行業發展。
航運發展
學會樂見政府計劃成立「香港海運港口發展局」,更有效支援政府落實政策,推進香港航運業的可持續發展。學會認同政府多管齊下,會大力發展高增值海運和專業業務,包括加大推廣現有航運服務稅務寬減措施、優化稅務優惠制度等,同時打造香港為綠色航運中心,推動註冊船舶綠色化,以及提供綠色燃料加注的配套,學會相信有助香港在綠色航運方面取得領導地位。
學會支持政府會於明年完成構建港口智慧系統,促進航運、港口及物流業持份者信息互聯互通,並舉辦更多大型活動,向全球宣揚香港海運實力,這與學會本年度的主題「一脈相承 縱深相連」理念一致,學會亦樂意配合政府作出相應推廣。
學會認同需要擴大香港航空貨運優勢,與大灣區合作是其中一個重要方向。隨着明年底「香港國際機場東莞空港中心」第一期永久設施首階段建設完成,有助引入更多高增值物流、跨境電商及快件服務設施,並考慮把航空轉運貨物豁免許可證安排擴展至其他多式聯運模式,提升競爭力。學會亦支持香港國際機場開拓新航點和航班,尤其與「一帶一路」國家民航合作,以配合三跑道系統的客運設施逐步開通。
學會亦歡迎政府採納學會建議,推動低空經濟發展,設立地點開拓無人機應用,包括無人機配送、測量、建築保養、航拍、匯演和搜救等,並修訂相關法規,以及研究部署低空基礎建設,為發展奠定基礎。
學會亦樂見政府計劃擴大高增值物流服務,並推出四幅優質物流用地,支援物流業的發展,繼續加強與粵西地區及鄰近地區的物流合作,善用港珠澳大橋,擴大貨源,促進貨物經香港中轉。
智慧城市
學會亦同意政府繼續推動減廢回收的舉措,增加公共回收物收集點、智能廚餘回收桶或廚餘收集設施,並為生產者責任計劃訂立適用於不同產品的法律框架,讓日後可逐步應用於包括塑膠飲料容器和紙包飲品盒等產品,擴大轉廢為材。
在推動綠色運輸方面,學會歡迎並支持政府在新能源運輸基金預留約7.5億元,資助的士業界和專營巴士公司購置電動車輛,並推出氫燃料電池重型車輛資助試驗計劃,打造綠色運輸系統,並持續推展東九龍及啟德智慧綠色集體運輸項目的勘查及設計工作,以期在2025年及2026年分別就啟德及東九龍項目招標。政府亦會投入3億元推出新計劃,資助私營機構安裝高速充電設施,擴大電動車充電網絡。而為推動綠氫和低碳氫能發展,學會支持政府積極協助業界建設太陽能製氫裝置作為產業示範,以及擬備香港氫能標準認證模式。
學會對於政府積極在各個領域推動發展感到鼓舞,工程界會繼續貢獻自身專業力量支持落實施政報告內的各項惠民措施,並為政府在各個範疇提供意見,共同建設香港。
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, 16 October 2024) The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) welcomes the 2024 Policy Address released by the Government today, themed “Reform for Enhancing Development and Building Our Future Together”. The HKIE expresses strong support for the numerous initiatives therein that benefit livelihood, economy, social development, and other areas. It agrees with the series of measures proposed by the Chief Executive, which not only aid Hong Kong’s holistic sustainable development, leveraging the city’s strengths as a “Super Connector” and “Super Value-adder”, but also take tangible actions in response to the resolution to further deepen reform of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.
Innovation and New Industrialisation
The HKIE advocates conducting research activities, investing capital, and developing talent in the upstream sector; effecting the transformation and commercialisation of research outcomes in the midstream sector; and enacting industrial development in the downstream sector. We concur with the Government’s formulation of a medium to long-term development plan for new industrialisation in Hong Kong. We believe it will facilitate close collaboration among Government, industry, academia, research, and investment sectors, building a co-operative platform for new industrialisation in Hong Kong, comprehensively promoting innovation and technology (I&T) and new industrialisation across upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors, aligning with the nation’s drive to boost “new quality productive forces”.
The HKIE supports the Government’s establishment of a HK$10 billion “I&T Industry-Oriented Fund” to channel more market capital to invest in specified emerging and future industries of strategic importance with a view to building an I&T ecosystem systematically. The Fund takes into account industries where Hong Kong enjoys clear advantages and aligns with our suggestion about optimising the “Innovation and Technology Venture Fund,” investing in startups in strategic industries to enhance the ecosystem of local startups.
To foster the growth of startups, the Government plans to launch the “I&T Accelerator Pilot Scheme”, allocating HK$180 million in the form of matching funds to attract professional and experienced startup service providers in and beyond Hong Kong to set up accelerator bases in Hong Kong.
Engineers play a crucial role in helping to realise R&D outcomes in I&T. Within the scope of Hong Kong’s new industrialisation, designated academic and R&D institutions, the Government is recommended to consider offering preferential policies to leading enterprises and local industries hiring local engineers and technical personnel. Relaxing restrictions on inventor profit-sharing ratios should also be considered as an incentive to promote innovation and development of startups.
Attracting Talent
The HKIE believes that Hong Kong has the full potential to become an international hub for high-calibre talent, and welcomes the Government’s emphasis on talent policies. Among the multipronged strategies for talent trawling, we see positive impacts on industry development in updating the “Talent List”, expanding the list of universities under the “Top Talent Pass Scheme”, extending the validity period of the first visa of high-income talents under the scheme to three years. In addition, enhancing the “General Employment Policy” and the “Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals” by adding channels to attract young and experienced specialists in specified skilled trades facing acute manpower shortage to Hong Kong, as well as extending the pilot arrangement of including graduates from the GBA campuses of Hong Kong universities under the “Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates”, will help meet the industry’s talent needs and provide valuable human resources for building Hong Kong.
We note the Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE)’s plan to expand its network of collaborative partners and organise online and in-person job fairs with industries and employer organisations, enabling employers to directly match jobs with talents. The HKIE believes that the HKTE’s years of experience will allow it to promote the initiatives effectively, supporting the acquisition of talent that our city needs.
In addition to attracting and retaining foreign talents, we hope that the Government, with a view to training local engineering graduates, will increase the subsidies for companies that provide the HKIE Scheme “A” Graduate Training from HK$5,610 to HK$10,000 or above, and the quota from 272 to 1,000. This will encourage companies to offer higher starting salaries to engineering graduates, thereby attracting and retaining local talents.
The HKIE has made significant progress in expanding recognition of professional qualifications. Since the beginning of this year, we have successfully established the first evaluation mechanism of post titles for the first batch of Hong Kong engineering professionals, and we will continue to strengthen cooperation and dialogue with counterparts in the Mainland to expand the mechanism to other engineering disciplines. The HKIE hopes for the Government’s support in our endeavour to attract more engineering professionals to serve in Hong Kong. We also welcome the collaboration between the Government, Guangdong Province, and Macao to create “GBA Standards” for the skill level of skilled workers and pursue the “One Examination, Multiple Certification” arrangement. Through examinations adopting GBA Standards, individuals can concurrently obtain vocational skill certificates issued in the three regions, enhancing the training quality in the GBA’s construction industry and nurturing talents.
Land and Housing Supply
Increasing land supply is a critical aspect in improving citizens’ living environment and quality of life. The HKIE is glad to note the Government’s target to complete the approval procedures for the statutory environmental impact assessment process for the reclamation works under the Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands project next year. The Urban Renewal Authority will also submit renewal master plans for Tsuen Wan and Sham Shui Po after completing the technical assessments, along with formulating policy recommendations on the deployment of newly developed land in driving large-scale urban redevelopment projects.
The HKIE is pleased to note the Government’s adoption of our recommendations by encouraging departments to adopt a collaborative mindset and work style as “Facilitator” to streamline the development procedures of various projects. This includes leveraging industry resources to enhance speed and efficiency, and engaging industry professionals to handle the vetting work of small-scale or temporary structures through self-certification; reviewing the building design standards, and facilitating local application of cost-effective construction materials and technologies from the Mainland and overseas to reduce construction cost; and expanding the purview of the Development Projects Facilitation Office under the Development Bureau to facilitate co-ordination with departments in expediting the approval of land use and related matters for the development of I&T and other industries in the Northern Metropolis. We hope that departments can collaborate to facilitate project development, streamline land development procedures, and lay a solid foundation for simplifying administrative and development procedures.
Furthermore, the HKIE is encouraged by the Government’s adoption of our recommendation to further promote smart construction and management of public rental housing estates and facilitate the application of innovative technologies. This includes the application of Project Information Management and Analytics Platform in new public housing projects’ developing and construction processes; the adoption of MiC 2.0 method in new Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) projects at the planning and design stages; and the clear stipulations, in all new building (superstructure) tender documents, about the work procedures for which the use of construction robotics is permissible for the purpose of enhancing housing quality and construction speed.
Concurrently, the Government plans to launch the “MiC Manufacturer Certification Scheme” in synergy with the Mainland as a production base, leveraging the complementarity of the construction industries in Guangdong and Hong Kong. Hong Kong’s long-standing building standards will also be reviewed and enhanced, promoting local application of high-quality and cost-effective construction materials from the Mainland and overseas. This will also be beneficial for Guobiao’s expansion in international markets, an advantage that, in the HKIE’s belief, exemplifies how Hong Kong’s engineering sector’s role as a “Super Connector” is being leveraged.
We also welcome the Government’s legislative efforts to establish a rental system for subdivided units (SDUs) to ensure the gradual phasing out of substandard SDUs. The HKIE stands ready to provide professional advice on the compliance standards for SDUs’ conversion into “Basic Housing Units” in the hope of offering better living spaces for grassroots communities.
Education
Education is an investment for the future, and the nurturing of talents must begin at a young age. In the realm of STEAM education in primary and secondary schools, the Education Bureau will establish the “Steering Committee on Strategic Development of Digital Education” to promote digital education, renew the Junior Secondary Science Curriculum, and provide support for teachers in using artificial intelligence (AI) in teaching. The HKIE acknowledges that these updates will help equip educators and students to embrace the opportunities and challenges engendered by the surge of AI. Additionally, we believe that by supporting teachers, through training, to increase the proportion of resources devoted to engineering practices’ incorporation into the current curriculum, we can spark more interest in science and engineering subjects among students. The HKIE urges the Government to review and revise existing university admission requirements for engineering subjects, as well as secondary school curriculum, to draw competent students with diverse skill sets to pursue engineering studies and careers.
In the realm of applied sciences, we believe that the Government’s plan to build a campus for the newly established Hong Kong Institute of Information Technology (an Institute under the Vocational Training Council) and develop its Lift and Escalator Technology Centre will positively impact the industry’s development.
Maritime Development
The HKIE is pleased to note the Government’s plan to establish the “Hong Kong Maritime and Port Development Board” to more effectively support the implementation of policies and promote the sustainable development of the city’s maritime industry. We agree with the Government’s multipronged approach to vigorously develop high value-added maritime and professional services. This includes stepping up the promotion of existing tax concessionary measures for maritime services, enhancing the preferential tax regime, fashioning Hong Kong into a green maritime centre, promoting the green transformation of registered ships, and offering green fuel bunkering facilities. We believe this will support Hong Kong in securing a leading position in green shipping.
We also support the Government’s initiative to complete the installation of a port community system next year to facilitate data flow and exchange among stakeholders in the maritime, port and logistics industries, and to organise more major events to showcase Hong Kong’s maritime strengths to the world. As this aligns with the HKIE’s theme for this Session, “Grow the Nexus, Link the Links”, we will be delighted to collaborate with the Government in promoting these efforts.
The HKIE agrees on the need to create more advantages for Hong Kong’s air cargo industry, with cooperation with the Greater Bay Area being one of the imperative directions. As the initial stage of first-phase construction for the permanent logistics park, “HKIA Dongguan Logistics Park”, will be completed by the end of next year, it will help introduce more high value-added logistics, cross-boundary e-commerce and courier service facilities. The Government is also considering extending the arrangements under the Air Transhipment Cargo Exemption Scheme to other intermodal cargo-transhipment modes to enhance competitiveness. We also support the Hong Kong International Airport’s exploration of new destinations and flights, particularly through civil aviation cooperation with countries involved in the “Belt and Road Initiative,” to complement and fully utilise the gradual openings of the passenger facilities in the Three-Runway System.
The HKIE welcomes the Government’s adoption of our recommendations to promote the development of low-altitude economy, designating venues for the exploration of drone deployments, including delivery, surveys, building maintenance, aerial photography, performances, search and rescue, and other possibilities. Amending relevant regulations and researching on the planning of low-altitude infrastructure will lay the foundation for development.
The HKIE is also pleased to note the Government’s plan to expand high value-added logistics services and release four quality logistics sites, supporting the development of the logistics industry. We also welcome the Government’s continued efforts to strengthen cooperation with the logistics sector in the western part of Guangdong and other neighbouring areas, leveraging the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge to expand the catchment area of our cargo services and facilitate more goods to transit through Hong Kong.
Smart City
The HKIE agrees with the Government’s continued efforts to promote waste reduction and recycling by increasing public recyclable collection points, food waste smart recycling bins or food waste collection facilities, as well as establishing a common legislative framework for the producer responsibility scheme applicable to different products, facilitating the future inclusion of products such as plastic beverage containers and beverage cartons progressively, expanding Hong Kong’s waste-to-resources capacities.
In terms of promoting green transportation, we welcome and support the allocation of approximately HK$750 million under the New Energy Transport Fund to the subsidisation of the taxi trade’s and franchised bus companies’ electric vehicles (EVs) purchase, and the launch of the Subsidy Scheme for Trials of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Heavy Vehicles to create a green transportation system. Efforts will also continue in taking forward the investigation and design of the smart and green mass transit systems in East Kowloon and Kai Tai, with a view to inviting tenders for the projects in Kai Tak and East Kowloon in 2025 and 2026 respectively. Additionally, the Government will earmark HK$300 million for a new scheme that subsidises the private sector’s installation of quick-charging facilities, thereby expanding the EV charging network. To promote green and low carbon hydrogen energy, the HKIE supports the Government’s active assistance with the establishment, by the industry, of a solar-to-hydrogen facility as a demonstration, and the formulation of an approach to hydrogen standard certification suitable to Hong Kong.
The HKIE is encouraged by the Government’s proactiveness in putting forward measures in multiple areas. The engineering sector will continue to devote its professional expertise to efforts at providing multi-area recommendations to the Government and supporting the implementation of the public-serving measures outlined in the Policy Address. Together, we will build a better Hong Kong.
For enquiries, please contact:
The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers
Corporate Communications Section
Tel: 2895 4446
Fax: 2882 6825
Email: corpcom@hkie.org.hk