DEVB Launches Hong Kong Edition of New Engineering Contract - Professional Service Contract

DEVB launches Hong Kong Edition of New Engineering Contract - Professional Service Contract

The Hong Kong Edition of the New Engineering Contract (NEC) - Professional Service Contract (PSC) was officially launched today (June 18, London time) at the NEC 2026 Annual Conference and Martin Barnes Awards Presentation Ceremony held in London, the United Kingdom. This is the third Hong Kong Edition of the NEC standard contract template released by the Development Bureau (DEVB), following its introduction of the Engineering and Construction Contract (ECC) and the Term Service Contract (TSC) in 2023 and 2024 respectively.

Speaking at the NEC Annual Conference, the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Ricky Lau, said, "The official launch of the Hong Kong Edition of the NEC - PSC today extends the collaborative approach advocated by the NEC to various types of engineering professional services. This marks the availability of a complete set of localised NEC contract templates in Hong Kong, which will benefit the overall development of the local construction industry."

The PSC is applicable to the appointment of engineering consultants or professional service providers for work covering engineering feasibility studies, design, project management, contract administration, site supervision, etc. This new contract template complements those previously launched for the ECC and the TSC, allowing the NEC collaborative philosophy to be consistently implemented across all stages of project planning, design, construction and subsequent maintenance, thereby forming a comprehensive contract system that meets the needs of Hong Kong's construction industry and promotes its sustainable development.

The NEC form upholds the philosophy of collaborative partnering, incorporating contractual mechanisms such as early warning of risks, compensation and defined action timetables, allowing contractual issues to be resolved effectively and enhancing project performance. The DEVB introduced the NEC form to public works projects in 2009, and it has since been adopted in more than 850 public works contracts with a total value exceeding HK$550 billion. Public organisations such as the Airport Authority Hong Kong and the MTR Corporation Limited have also adopted this form of contract.

Separately, several NEC-based infrastructure projects of the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) competed for the Martin Barnes Awards this year. Among the approximately 80 global entries, the CEDD won five awards (see Annex). Presented by the NEC Users' Group under the Institution of Civil Engineers of the United Kingdom, the awards recognise organisations and projects worldwide for their outstanding performance in adopting the NEC form.

The Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) competed for the 2026 Martin Barnes Awards with several New Engineering Contract-based infrastructure projects and won five awards. Photo shows the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Ricky Lau (sixth left), with awardees and representatives of the CEDD at the awards presentation ceremony held today (June 18, London time) in London, the United Kingdom. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Edition of the New Engineering Contract (NEC) – Professional Service Contract was officially launched today (June 18, London time) at the NEC 2026 Annual Conference and Martin Barnes Awards Presentation Ceremony held in London, the United Kingdom. Photo shows the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Ricky Lau (second right); Deputy Secretary for Development (Works) Mr Tony Ho (first left); the Managing Director of the commercial arm of the Institution of Civil Engineers of the United Kingdom, Ms Andrea Naylor (second left); and the Chair of the NEC4 Contract Board, Mr Peter Higgins (first right). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CCIDA sponsors industry to participate in 22nd China International Cartoon and Animation Festival

Sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association organised the industry to participate in the 22nd China International Cartoon and Animation Festival (CICAF) held in Hangzhou from June 15 to 19. To promote Hong Kong's cultural and creative industries, the Hong Kong Pavilion themed "Designer Toy, Game, Animation and Comics" was set up to showcase art toys, games, animations, comics, virtual idols, and merchandise and spin-offs derived from cultural intellectual properties (IPs). The Hong Kong Pavilion was well received during the five-day festival period, demonstrating the keen interest in Hong Kong's dynamic and vibrant digital entertainment industry.

CCIDA sponsored the Hong Kong Pavilion at the CICAF for the third consecutive year. A total of 16 Hong Kong enterprises were invited to participate this year, showcasing nearly 20 IPs of a diverse range and their creative products. The pavilion presented not only art toys, games, animations, and comics that blend authentic Hong Kong characteristics with trendy elements, but also interactive creative products integrating augmented reality and virtual reality technologies. The exhibits demonstrated integration of technology and culture while offering visitors an immersive experience at the exhibition. The participation at the CICAF not only highlighted Hong Kong's unique strengths in the digital entertainment sector, but also promoted the local industry's outstanding creativity and capabilities to the Chinese Mainland market, deepened exchanges and co-operation in the cartoon and animation industry in the two places, and helped the industry expand its commercial and trade networks.

Hosted by the National Radio and Television Administration, China Media Group, and the People's Government of Zhejiang Province, the CICAF is one of the largest high-profile and highly influential cartoon and animation festivals on the Chinese Mainland. For more information on the CICAF and the Hong Kong Pavilion, please visit cicaf.hzxcw.gov.cnand www.hkdea.org.

The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau sponsored the industry to participate in the 22nd China International Cartoon and Animation Festival held in Hangzhou from June 15 to 19 and set up the Hong Kong Pavilion, showcasing nearly 20 cultural intellectual properties and their creative products. Photo shows participating companies interacting with visitors. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau sponsored the industry to participate in the 22nd China International Cartoon and Animation Festival held in Hangzhou from June 15 to 19 and set up the Hong Kong Pavilion, showcasing nearly 20 cultural intellectual properties and their creative products. Photo shows the Hong Kong Pavilion attracting an enthusiastic response from visitors, demonstrating a keen interest in Hong Kong's dynamic and vibrant digital entertainment industry. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau sponsored the industry to participate in the 22nd China International Cartoon and Animation Festival held in Hangzhou from June 15 to 19 and set up the Hong Kong Pavilion, showcasing nearly 20 cultural intellectual properties and their creative products. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases