Closer ties: Hong Kong signs the mutual recognition agreement with the Mainland in Beijing.

Hong Kong has signed a mutual recognition agreement with the Mainland for planners and quantity surveyors.

Permanent Secretary for the Environment, Transport & Works (Works) Lo Yiu-ching witnessed the signing in Beijing today. He said the agreement will enhance the cross-flow of professional talent and promote exchange of professional expertise, raising construction industry standards in both jurisdictions.

"The rapid development of the Mainland will bring more opportunities to the construction industry in Hong Kong, while local professionals, with their advanced professional knowledge and international experience, can also contribute to the development of our country," he said.

Three other professions - estate surveyors, architects and structural engineers - have also established mutual recognition arrangements, and more than 600 professionals have now acquired professional qualifications of the other jurisdiction.

Certificates were presented at today's ceremony to the first batch of structural engineers who have successfully acquired the professional qualifications of the other jurisdiction. Ninety of the 199 engineers came from Hong Kong.