The Development Bureau today hosted a summit to delve into the strategies and policies of infrastructure delivery plans and address the challenges and opportunities in implementing mega infrastructure projects.

Themed "Strategic Leadership in Managing Complexity and Uncertainty in Infrastructure Delivery", the International Infrastructure & Projects Leaders Summit brought together more than 500 major infrastructure project leaders and experts in infrastructure from over 20 countries and economies around the globe, including senior government officials from Mainland and overseas countries, and representatives of renowned international organisations.

Addressing the summit, Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is committed to investing in infrastructure and advancing land development projects to promote social and economic development.

Despite many challenges, Hong Kong's infrastructure development has remained robust with world-class infrastructure recognised internationally, she noted.

The Government has taken proactive stances to spearhead the transformation of the construction industry over the past few years, promoting advanced construction methods and materials, integrated digital technologies, as well as adopting a new project delivery model.

Through exchanges that transcend geographical and sectoral boundaries at the summit, the Government hopes to pool wisdom on the delivery of projects with enhanced efficiency and quality, Ms Linn added.

She also mentioned that under the unique advantages of "one country, two systems", Hong Kong will continue to capitalise on the privilege of enjoying the motherland's strong support and being closely connected to the world, and consolidate its position as an international infrastructure centre, uniting the world's best talent, knowledge and investment to address upcoming challenges and promote quality infrastructure development.

The bureau established the Building Technology Research Institute (BTRi) in August to drive innovative applications in the construction industry.

At the summit, BTRi signed memoranda of understanding (MoU) with Guangdong Provincial Academy of Building Research and the Building & Construction Authority of Singapore, as well as three local universities - the University of Hong Kong, the University of Science & Technology and the Polytechnic University.

These agreements will expand the collaboration network of the BTRi for the promotion of innovative application in the construction industry.