The construction industry is a vital sector in the economy of Hong Kong, employing almost half a million workers. Based on the forecast by the Construction Industry Council in December 2017, annual construction expenditure will exceed $250 billion, or approximately 5% of GDP, within the next 5 years. The construction industry has an essential bearing on the economic growth and long-term development of Hong Kong, and the livelihood of its people. However, it is facing some challenges in recent years: 

• Shortage and ageing of the labour force affecting productivity
  
• High construction cost
  
• Demands for better safety, quality, and environmental friendliness in construction 

The situation will become worse in the next few years as the demand for construction services continues to rise. It is time to find ways to enhance productivity for the construction industry’s future.

Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) & Multi-trade Integrated Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MiMEP) are innovative construction methods. By adopting the concept of “factory assembly followed by on-site installation”, MiC & MiMEP help to ease some of the current challenges faced by the local construction industry.

The Construction Innovation and Technology Fund (CITF), with an approved allocation of HK$1 billion, was established by the Development Bureau of the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (DEVB) in October 2018.  The Construction Industry Council (CIC) is commissioned by DEVB to be the implementation partner.

The CITF covers two aspects, namely technology adoption and manpower development.  The former aims to encourage the industry to use new but proven technologies developed within or outside Hong Kong.  The latter aims to build an innovative culture and foster the mind-set to espouse new technologies for the sustainable development and continuous improvement of the construction industry. 

MiC and MiMEP are among the categories under technology adoption, providing incentives for consultants and contractors to widely adopt MiC & MiMEP in the construction projects of Hong Kong. 

In mid-July of 2022, the Steering Committee of the CITF approved the MiC Vetting Sub-committee's proposal to include MiMEP into the funding scope to better support the Electrical & Mechanical (E&M) industry to adopt innovative technologies. For more details, please click here.

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