Guangdong-Hong Kong MiC Week Launches to Promote Modular Integrated Construction Advancements and Industry Collaboration.

Guangdong and Hong Kong jointly promote Modular Integrated Construction development

Jointly organised by the Development Bureau (DEVB) and the Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of Guangdong Province (DHURDGP), the Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) Week is being held in Guangdong and Hong Kong from today (June 23) to June 28. It features a series of activities in both places, enabling the public to learn about the latest development of MiC and providing a platform for the industry to exchange relevant knowledge and experience to promote a wider adoption of MiC.

The Building Technology Research Institute (BTRi), the Construction Industry Council (CIC), the MiC Laboratory of The University of Hong Kong, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Modular Integrated Construction Industry Alliance (Alliance) are co-organisers of the MiC Week.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has been actively promoting the adoption of MiC to enhance the productivity and cost-effectiveness of the construction industry. As of now, over 100 government and private projects have adopted this advanced construction method. She said that the HKSAR Government is implementing a series of measures to strengthen the supply chain of MiC, including the release of the Guangdong-Hong Kong Modular Integrated Construction Cross-boundary Trading Guidebook, the accreditation of MiC manufacturers, the announcement of the MiC Annual Demand Forecast and the enhancement of relevant training on MiC, as well as the research and development of new technologies. Among which, the DEVB plans to announce a new requirement for public works projects later this year to require MiC manufacturers to be accredited before bidding for tenders of relevant projects, with a view to streamlining the vetting and approval process and ensuring quality. She said that the Guangdong Province is the main manufacturing base for MiC modules in the Greater Bay Area (GBA), while Hong Kong possesses advantages in research and development as well as overseas promotion. The DEVB will continue to work closely with the Guangdong Provincial Government to build the GBA into a MiC technology and construction hub, and promote MiC to become a new quality productive force and a strategic industry that expands to the international arena.

The Director-General of the DHURDGP, Mr Zhang Yong, said in his speech that high-quality and reliable MiC products from Guangdong have been gradually applied in various projects in Hong Kong including office buildings, school dormitories, public housing and private buildings, making positive contributions to the urban development and the security of people’s livelihoods in Hong Kong. From January to May this year, Guangdong exported MiC modules with a total value of about $1.39 billion to Hong Kong, a year-on-year increase of 2.3 times, demonstrating strong technical and supply capabilities. Building on the development of a supply chain that fully supports Hong Kong, Guangdong has also progressively developed application scenarios such as schools, hospitals and talent accommodation, and explored MiC technology innovations for projects including super-high-rise buildings and in-situ redevelopment, advancing pilot modular projects for urban development.

The unveiling ceremony of the Alliance was also held during the launching ceremony. With membership comprising industry associations, higher education institutions, research institutes, enterprises, experts and scholars from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, the Alliance aims to promote the development of MiC in the GBA, aligning with the national strategies of high-quality development and green building.

In addition, the Guangdong-Hong Kong Modular Integrated Construction Cross-boundary Trading Guidebook compiled by the DEVB was also released at the launching ceremony. The guidebook provides manufacturers with guidelines on application for bonded processing trade arrangements for MiC materials and cross-boundary tax declarations for exporting MiC modules to Hong Kong, enabling all parties in the MiC supply chain in the GBA to conduct MiC cross-boundary trade more conveniently and efficiently.

The Chairperson of the BTRi, Mr Hon Chi-keung, also presented accreditation certificates to the first batch of eight manufacturers accredited under the MiC Manufacturer Accreditation Scheme at the launching ceremony. All manufacturers accredited under the scheme have passed stringent review by the BTRi and its assessment panel. The scheme can enhance the industry’s confidence in MiC quality, help strengthen the MiC supply chain and meet the growing demand for local MiC projects.

The Chairman of the CIC, Professor Thomas Ho, also announced the first MiC Annual Demand Forecast jointly published by the DEVB and the CIC at the launching ceremony to help the industry plan ahead and invest in production capacity in order to meet demand.

The launching ceremony attracted over 1 000 participants who took part both online and offline. Other activities of the MiC Week include International Conference on Modular Integrated Construction, an enterprise forum, a design workshop, a site visit to a MiC project, a guided tour for public and more. Details are available on its website.

Guangdong and Hong Kong jointly promote Modular Integrated Construction development Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Guangdong and Hong Kong jointly promote Modular Integrated Construction development Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Guangdong and Hong Kong jointly promote Modular Integrated Construction development Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Guangdong and Hong Kong jointly promote Modular Integrated Construction development Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Guangdong and Hong Kong jointly promote Modular Integrated Construction development Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Guangdong and Hong Kong jointly promote Modular Integrated Construction development Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Mainland circular tech leader ATRenew opens first Hong Kong store establishing city as go-global hub

Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) today (July 28) announced ATRenew Inc. (ATRenew), the Chinese Mainland's leading pre-owned consumer electronics transactions and services platform, had opened its first physical store under its new consumer brand RERE- short for Revalue and Renew - in Hong Kong. This launch positions the city as a go-global hub for the growing circular economy while bringing the group's consumer buyback and retail operations to Hong Kong for the first time - complementing its long-standing business-to-business (B2B) pre-owned electronics trading ecosystem.

Located in Tsuen Wan, the store launches under ATRenew's new consumer brand RERE marks a major step in taking the company's brand, sustainability innovation and business model global. For traded-in smartphones, ATRenew developed a proprietary data destruction system certified by international authority ADISA Certification. Utilising advanced multi-pass data overwriting, the platform ensures fully traceable and unrecoverable data erasure - eliminating data theft risks at the source and setting a high standard for privacy and data protection for users.

At the heart of ATRenew's offering is a set of proprietary, AI-backed technologies. Self-service tools allow customers to value and sell a device in minutes, while automated quality inspection - refined through diagnostic data from the group's extensive Mainland facilities - delivers high-precision grading. Combined with a standardised digital device-identity system, ATRenew ensures quality, defect traceability, driving efficiency and security for cross-border transactions. These capabilities empower FoneSquare, its new B2B global trading platform, giving overseas wholesale buyers confidence in the origin and condition of every device.

The opening is supported by a Memorandum of Understanding with leading retailer JD Mall Hong Kong. Under this partnership, the group will roll out in-store one-stop buyback services for electronic devices, making it easy for shoppers citywide to sell or trade in pre-owned devices.

The Director-General of Investment Promotion, Ms Alpha Lau, said, "ATRenew represents a great Chinese green story, and we are delighted that Hong Kong serves as a prominent showcase of the group's full recycling-to-retail model in service of the circular economy. As an international investment and trade hub operating under common law, Hong Kong is not just a financing engine but also an ideal test bed for innovations. Today, we also warmly welcome two of our InvestHK clients, ATRenew and JD.com, joining hands in driving sustainability innovation. This expansion demonstrates our strengths as a go-global springboard for both Mainland and overseas businesses with green aspirations."

The Founder and Chef Executive Officer of ATRenew, Mr Kerry Chen, said, "The global circular economy is entering a critical growth phase, with Hong Kong serving as the central hub for ATRenew's overseas supply chain and brand expansion. Driven by our three-pillar globalisation strategy of 'business, capabilities, and brand', ATRenew is extending its well-established standardisation, automated technologies, and robust supply chain overseas. We are committed to making buy-back services more accessible and providing users worldwide with high-quality pre-owned products, empowering a green and sustainable future."

Globally, rising environmental awareness and demand for value are fuelling fast-growing appetite for quality pre-owned electronics. International Data Corporation projects the worldwide market for used smartphones to surpass 430 million units, with a market value of close to US$110 billion, by 2027.

Looking ahead, ATRenew plans to build on its Hong Kong-Dubai "dual-hub" for international growth, establishing its full recycling-to-retail ecosystem across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, West Asia and North Africa.

InvestHK provided end-to-end support to facilitate ATRenew's expansion in Hong Kong, offering market intelligence, business matching, and setup guidance. It also connected the group with key partners and supported its international expansion and compliance navigation - advancing ATRenew's ambition to build RERE into a globally recognised certified pre-owned brand.

For more information about ATRenew, please visit www.atrenew.com.

Mainland circular tech leader ATRenew opens first Hong Kong store establishing city as go-global hub Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Mainland circular tech leader ATRenew opens first Hong Kong store establishing city as go-global hub Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Mainland circular tech leader ATRenew opens first Hong Kong store establishing city as go-global hub Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases