'Dedicated teams should be set up for NM projects'

The Business and Professionals Alliance (BPA) has proposed setting up specialized teams to expedite the development of Northern Metropolis. This idea was among several suggestions presented for the city's first five-year plan, which covers areas such as infrastructure, innovation, technology, economic development, and the SAR's role as a financial and aviation hub.

The proposed workforce for these projects would consist of top professionals from relevant departments, allowing for streamlined approval processes and reducing the time required from months to just days. Priscilla Leung, BPA vice-chairwoman and lawmaker, cited fast-developing mainland cities like Beijing and Hefei as examples of the success of this approach.

She emphasized that when a project is deemed special and requires quick approval, dedicated teams work together to facilitate it swiftly. Leung also proposed that all personnel involved, including officials, should sign a task commitment statement to reinforce their discipline and implementation awareness. This commitment, she believes, can serve as a powerful driving force for Hong Kong's ascent to the next era.

The university town is another area where Leung suggests improvements, proposing the possibility of transferring between local, mainland, and overseas institutions, as the SAR may lack sufficient professors in certain fields. The two-month public consultation for the five-year blueprint concludes on Friday.