Opportunities available to UK firms in landmark Hong Kong cultural project
The development of one of the world’s largest cultural projects in Hong Kong will create considerable opportunities for UK companies, West Kowloon Cultural District Authority CEO Michael Lynch announced.
At an event organised by the Hong Kong Association, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, the British Council, Foreign and Commonwealth Office and UK Trade & Investment, Mr Lynch addressed UK firms to discuss developments to date and the available contracts.
The West Kowloon Cultural District will be a vibrant cultural quarter for Hong Kong, with a variety of new arts and cultural facilities including the Xiqu Centre for Chinese Opera, M+, Hong Kong’s new museum for visual culture, Freespace, Centre for Contemporary Performance and Music Centre, representing opportunities for UK exporters throughout the supply chain.
Michael Lynch, CEO of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority said:
“The West Kowloon Cultural District is one of the largest arts and cultural development projects in the world, set to become a remarkable new destination in Asia. The Authority is committed to developing long-standing and meaningful relationships with both the business and cultural sectors worldwide. With opportunities within infrastructure and content development across cultural venues, residential facilities, retail, dining and entertainment, the District presents a unique offer.
“Progress is developing rapidly on site, with the conclusion of two international architecture competitions for major venues for the performing and visual arts in the past year alone, looking towards the groundbreaking for the Xiqu Centre for Chinese Opera this month, and remarkable attendance figures increasing annually for our exhibitions and pre-opening programmes.”
Rt Hon Hugo Swire MP, Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister of State said:
“When I visited the West Kowloon Cultural District in June, I saw for myself once again why Hong Kong is known as “Asia’s World City” – outward-facing and confident, with an increasing focus on quality and innovation, it has always been and remains one of the most exciting places in the world in which to do business.
“From our art galleries, to our museums, to our music industry, Britain has world-class institutions and expertise to help deliver cultural infrastructure around the world. With the West Kowloon Cultural District expected to attract a great number of both local and overseas visitors, we have an unparalleled opportunity to help Hong Kong develop a world class cultural centre.”
UK companies currently involved in the West Kowloon Cultural District:
•Foster + Partners’ conceptual plan was selected as the preferred option for the West Kowloon Cultural District development in 2011, with their ‘City Park’ concept. Mott MacDonald is the development plan consultant for the District and Rider Levett Bucknall the procurement strategy consultant.
•UK firms Buro Happold and Atkins are working with Hong Kong-born architects Bing Thom Architects and Ronald Lu & Partners on the design for the Xiqu Centre for Chinese Opera, slated for completion late 2016.
•TFP Farrells (with Herzog & de Meuron) won the architectural design competition of M+, Hong Kong’s future museum for visual culture, scheduled for completion in late 2017.
•UK company Keepthinking won the contract for the Authority’s new website development, launching this Autumn.
Source: UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
- 319 reads
