Hong Kong's First Development Project in Northern Metropolis Region Completed with Two Bids

The bidding process for Hung Shui Kieu, the first pilot application of Hong Kong's strategically important Northern Metropolis development project, ended yesterday. According to the official statement from the Development Bureau, a total of two proposals were submitted for evaluation for the planning and construction process of the region. This development represents a critical stage of the Hong Kong government's long-term vision for urban regeneration and creating new settlement areas.

In a statement regarding the issue on a radio program, Development Bureau Director Bernadette Linn expressed her satisfaction with the number of proposals received and the diversity they contained, describing the situation as a positive development. Linn emphasized that the structure of the bidding teams was quite diverse and not limited to real estate developers, but also included companies with industrial operational experience. This situation shows that the government is successfully fulfilling its 'intermediary' role in bringing together capital owners and operational expertise.

Director Linn stated that the project's evaluation process places great importance on quality beyond cost, clearly expressing that the weight of land value in the bid scoring is only 30 percent. It was stated that the remaining 70 percent portion is allocated to non-price qualitative factors, such as planning quality, technical competence, and sustainability criteria. This approach demonstrates that the government prioritizes the project's long-term success and functionality over financial return.

The obligations of the firms winning the tender are not limited to completing the leveling works of the three plots allocated for industrial use in the region and delivering the land to the government. The firms in question must also undertake at least a certain amount of construction work that will form the cornerstones of the project. This requirement reveals that the tender process is based on a public-private partnership model focused not only on land sale but also on developing the region's infrastructure and industrial potential.

The Northern Metropolis Strategy, which aims to transform Hong Kong's northern regions into a new metropolis, plays a key role in the city's future economic growth and meeting housing needs. The Hung Shui Kieu region is of special importance as it is the first test field of this large-scale strategy, and the results obtained here will serve as a model for future regions. The implementation of the project will contribute significantly to the transformation of the region into a logistics and technology center.