Permanent Secretary for Development (Works) Mak Chai-kwong will lead a 180-member delegation to attend a construction forum in Changsha tomorrow.

An annual event since 1997, the forum is jointly organised by the Development Bureau, the Ministry of Construction, and the Changsha Municipal People's Government.

With Sustainable Urban Form: Planning & Development as its theme, the forum allows experts from both sides to exchange experience and views in urban design, planning and development models in Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas, and enhance new ideas in sustainable development.

Officiating at the forum will be Vice-minister of Construction Qi Ji, and Hunan CPC Standing Committee member and Vice-governor of Hunan Provincial People's Government Xu Xianping.

Three topical discussion sessions will be held November 8. The delegation will visit Changsha's infrastructure facilities on November 9.

Director of Architectural Services Yue Chi-hang will then lead 31 Hong Kong delegates on a study mission to Zhuzhou and Zhangjiajie November 9 to 11 to see the latest infrastructural and environmental protection developments and explore business co-operation opportunities.

This year the Hong Kong delegation is the largest since the implementation of the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement.

Delegates include government officials, senior executives and professionals from trade associations, professional institutes, tertiary education institutes, contractors, consultants, real estate, finance and legal sectors. There will also be 120 Mainland participants.