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- Construction industry can apply for natural sand supply from Mainland
- Three lots sold for $6.18 billion at land auction
1. Construction industry can apply for natural sand supply from Mainland
Hong Kong Government, 13 March 2007
The Environment, Transport and Works Bureau (ETWB) today (March 13) invited the construction sectors who require import of natural sand, including silica sand and quartz sand from the Mainland, to submit relevant application through the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD).
The Ministry of Commerce (MoC) and the General Administration of Customs (GAC) jointly announced late last year that an export ban on natural sand, including silica sand and quartz sand, would be enacted on March 1 this year.
As the measures would have significant impact on the construction industry in Hong Kong, ETWB consulted with the MoC on the trading of natural sand between the Mainland and Hong Kong, with a view to maintaining the supply of natural sand to Hong Kong. After a series of discussion, both sides reached consensus and signed the Mainland and Hong Kong Trade Co-operation Mechanism on Natural Sand under the framework of the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) on February 26 this year.
After exchanging views and implementing trial runs with the trade and relevant departments, the ETWB and CEDD have formulated measures on management of Mainland natural sand imported under the co-operation mechanism. Details of the measures and application form can be downloaded from CEDD’s website www.cedd.gov.hk.
The MoC and GAC jointly announced yesterday that natural sand exports to Hong Kong would be resumed on March 25. To ensure that the trade will not be adversely affected during the transitional period, the governments of both sides have made arrangements to meet possible special demand of sand. Construction sectors, who require import of natural sand, including silica sand and quartz sand, from the Mainland can submit relevant application through the CEDD.
2. Three lots sold for $6.18 billion at land auction
Hong Kong Government, 13 March 2007
The Lands Department this afternoon (March 13) held the fifth public land auction of the financial year. Three Government lots were sold for a total of $6.18 billion.
The first two lots sold were the two lots in Pak Shek Kok, Tai Po Town Lot No. 187 and Tai Po Town Lot No. 188. Following an opening bid of $1 billion, Tai Po Town Lot No. 187 was sold to Century Rise Limited for $2.11 billion. The site has an area of about 10,028 square metres and is designated for non-industrial (excluding godown, hotel and petrol filling station) purposes. A minimum gross floor area of 19,254 square metres must be completed.
The nearby Tai Po Town Lot No. 188 was sold to ACE Glory Limited for $3.5 billion after an opening bid of $2.1 billion. The lot has an area of about 19,902 square metres and is designated for private residential purposes. A minimum gross floor area of 41,795 square metres must be completed.
The third lot, Tai Po Town Lot No. 195 at Plover Cove Road, Tai Po, was sold to Sunny Foundation Limited for $570 million. The opening bid was $326 million. Tai Po Town Lot No. 195 has a site area of about 2,750 square metres and is designated for non-industrial (excluding godown and petrol filling station) purposes. A minimum gross floor area of 9,600 square metres must be completed.
The auction was conducted at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium, Wan Chai by Assistant Director of Lands, Mr Graham Ross, assisted by Chief Estate Surveyor, Ms Eugina Fok.
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