Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn today released the Guangdong-Hong Kong Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) Cross-boundary Trading Guidebook at the launch ceremony for MiC Week, which is being held in Guangdong and Hong Kong from today until Saturday.

MiC Week is jointly organised by the Development Bureau (DEVB) and the Department of Housing & Urban-Rural Development of Guangdong Province (DHURDGP). It features a series of activities to help the public learn about the MiC and provides a platform for the industry to exchange relevant knowledge and experience to promote MiC's wider adoption.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Ms Linn said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has been actively promoting the adoption of MiC with the aim of enhancing the construction industry’s productivity and cost-effectiveness. As of now, more than 100 government and private projects have adopted the method.

She also highlighted that the Hong Kong SAR Government is implementing a series of measures to strengthen the MiC supply chain. These include the release of the cross-boundary trading guidebook, the accreditation of MiC manufacturers, the announcement of an MiC Annual Demand Forecast, the enhancement of relevant MiC training, and research and development into new technologies.

The cross-boundary trading guidebook compiled by the DEVB gives manufacturers guidelines on bonded processing trade arrangements for MiC materials and cross-boundary tax declarations for the export of MiC modules to Hong Kong.

Ms Linn also mentioned that the DEVB plans to announce a new requirement for public works projects later this year to require MiC manufacturers to be accredited before bidding for tenders, with a view to streamlining the vetting and approval process and ensuring quality.

In addition, she pointed out that Guangdong is the main manufacturing base for MiC modules in the Greater Bay Area, while Hong Kong possesses advantages in research and development as well as overseas promotion.

She said the DEVB will continue to work closely with the Guangdong Provincial Government to build the bay area into a MiC technology and construction hub, and promote the use of MiC as a new quality productive force and a strategic industry that expands to the international arena.

DHURDGP Director-General Zhang Yong said in his speech that high-quality and reliable MiC products from Guangdong have been gradually applied in various projects in Hong Kong, including office buildings, school dormitories, public housing and private buildings.

He also noted that from January to May this year, Guangdong exported MiC modules with a total value of about $1.39 billion to Hong Kong, representing a year-on-year increase of 2.3 times.

The unveiling ceremony of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao MiC Industry Alliance was also held at the launch ceremony.

In addition, the Building Technology Research Institute presented accreditation certificates to the first batch of eight manufacturers accredited under the MiC Manufacturer Accreditation Scheme, and the Construction Industry Council announced the first MiC Annual Demand Forecast, jointly published with the DEVB.

Over 1,000 participants took part in the ceremony online and offline.