RICS Hong Kong Annual Conference to lead discussion on driving forces for city’s sustainable growth and prosperity

HONG KONG, CHINA - Media OutReach - 09 April 2017 - RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) has finalised its programme for its Hong Kong Annual Conference 2017, which will take place at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong on Friday 19 May 2017.

In recognition of the 20^th anniversary of the establishment of Hong Kong SAR, theconference will review the most significanteconomic contributions that will help the city continue to flourish, and the growth potential of its financial and real estate markets.

The conference will also examine how innovation and technology support the future development of Hong Kong, with case studies and discussionsanalysing the macroeconomic scene and infrastructure provision. Mr Bernard Charnwut Chan, GBS JP, Executive Council Member, Hong Kong SAR, will speak as the Guest of Honour and set the stage for the conference.

"The financial and real estate markets of Hong Kong are increasingly influenced by accelerating technological advancements, heightened connectivity to adjacent regions and the shifting investment atmosphere," said Mr Clement Lau FRICS, Chair of RICS Hong Kong Board. "While these factors create new opportunities in the both markets, they also challenge our industry to establish a renewed focus and redefine driving forces for sustainable growth and prosperity."

The conference will offer a critical review of Hong Kong's macroeconomic developments, where public and private sector professionals evaluate the impact of related policies and regulations. The Hon Mrs Regina IP LAU Suk-yee, GBS, JP, Legislative Council Member, Hong Kong SAR Government, will deliver a speech about the factors determining financial development of the pan-Asia region, and the impact of technologies and related regulations.

Mr Eric MA Siu-cheung, JP, Secretary for Development, Hong Kong SAR Government, will review the government's development plan through 2030 and beyond, which comprises a long-term land-use planning strategy for guiding future developments and infrastructure.

"The RICS Hong Kong Annual Conference will feature experts from a broad range of industries who will share their insights and provide strategic advice for the city's financial and real estate markets, and its development challenges",Mr Lau said.

In addition to various presentations and panel discussions, three breakout sessions will explore how the industry has adopted old practices and fostered new methods, and embraced the latest technologies and trends.

About RICS

Confidence through professional standards

RICS promotes and enforces the highest professional qualifications and standards in the development and management of land, real estate, construction and infrastructure. Our name promises the consistent delivery of standards -- bringing confidence to the markets we serve.

We accredit 125,000 professionals and any individual or firm registered with RICS is subject to our quality assurance. Their expertise covers property, asset valuation, real estate management; the development of infrastructure; and the management of natural resources, such as mining, farms and woodland. From environmental assessments and building controls to negotiating land rights in an emerging economy; if our members are involved the same professional standards and ethics apply.

We believe that standards underpin effective markets. With up to seventy per cent of the world's wealth bound up in land and real estate, our sector is vital to economic development, helping to support stable, sustainable investment and growth around the globe.

With offices covering the major political and financial centres of the world, our market presence means we are ideally placed to influence policy and embed professional standards. We work at a cross-governmental level, delivering international standards that will support a safe and vibrant marketplace in land, real estate, construction and infrastructure, for the benefit of all.

We are proud of our reputation and work hard to protect it, so clients who work with an RICS professional can have confidence in the quality and ethics of the services they receive.