Secretary for Commerce, Industry & Technology Joseph Wong says the Government and the Trade Development Council are considering the need for expanding Hong Kong's exhibition facilities, including a third phase for the Convention & Exhibition Centre.

He today told lawmakers the Government has been monitoring demand for exhibition infrastructure and has taken measures to maintain Hong Kong's position as an international convention centre.

It invested $2 billion to develop AsiaWorld-Expo, which has already hosted more than 40 events and activities since its 2005 opening, more than 90% of them being held in Hong Kong for the first time.

The Government is liaising with AsiaWorld-Expo on the early start of its second phase, which will increase its exhibition space to 100,000 square metres.

For the Convention & Exhibition Centre, Mr Wong said the expanded atrium link between Phases 1 and 2 will be completed in 2009. The work will add 19,400 square metres of exhibition space, boosting the venue's total dedicated exhibition space by 42%.