PH Consulate General Promotes ‘Build, Build, Build’ in Hong Kong

Philippines Deputy Consul General Roderico C. Atienza delivers a presentation to promote the government’s “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program at a two-day international conference organized by the Lighthouse Club, a London-based non-profit group supporting the construction industry at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on 30 May 2018. (Lighthouse Club photo)

HONG KONG 05 July 2018 – The Philippine Consulate General made a presentation to promote the government’s “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program at a two-day international conference organized by a London-based non-profit group supporting the construction industry, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on 30 May 2018.

Deputy Consul General Roderico C. Atienza spoke before some 100 attendees at the Lighthouse Club International Conference on “Constructing, Contracting, Consulting, Collaborating and Caring Along the Belt and Road,” which highlighted the opportunities for and capabilities of international contractors, consultants and professional institutions.

In his 25-minute presentation entitled “Philippines: The Golden Age of Infrastructure,” Mr. Atienza explained how the country’s flagship program, which is made possible by the strong growth of the Philippine economy, fits into the conference theme, especially along the Maritime Silk Route covering the countries on littoral Southeast Asia.

“The Golden Age of Infrastructure is in essence the Philippines’ equivalent of the Belt and Road, and just like the endorsement made by President Xi Jinping, the efforts heretofore by the Philippine government to finance infrastructure development have been given a branding thrust by President Duterte as his ‘Build, Build, Build’ agenda,” Deputy Consul General Atienza said.

To ensure its success, the program will be run through an unprecedented partnership of six agencies: the National Economic Development Authority, the Bases Conversion Development Authority and the Departments of Transportation, Budget and Management, Finance, Public Works and Highways.

The keynote address was delivered by Mr. Hon Chi Keung, Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), who expounded on Hong Kong’s advantages as a key partner for Belt and Road projects namely adherence to the rule of law, compliance with international standards, its free economy, educated personnel and availability of integrated professional services.

In the field of project management, Hong Kong offers its expertise in feasibility assessment, financial management, project administration, and dispute resolution. It has proven track record in planning, building and managing such exemplar projects as the Hong Kong International Airport, Mass Transit Railway (MTR) System, and Tung Chung New Town.

Originally established in Great Britain in 1956, the Lighthouse Club arrived in Asia in 1986 with the establishment of a branch in Hong Kong, to be followed by those in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and subsequently–with the help of the Lighthouse Club Asia Pacific Region formed in 1998–Manila, Singapore, Macau, and Australia.

The objectives of the Lighthouse Club are to promote good fellowship amongst its members who work in or are associated with the construction industry, and to provide charitable assistance to those in need within the construction industry in cases of accident or illness and to their dependents where a fatality has occurred. END

Deputy Consul General Roderico C. Atienza expounds to more than 100 attendees of the Lighthouse Club International Conference at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on 30 May 2018 plans to develop New Clark City a 9,450-hectare sustainable mixed-use development envisioned to be the country’s first smart, disaster-resilient, and sustainable city. (Lighthouse Club photo)

For more information, visit www.hongkongpcg.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinHK/