Northern Metropolis exhibition hall to open at Kwu Tung North after $700mn plan scrapped

Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho announced that an exhibition hall showcasing the planning and development of the Northern Metropolis will be built in Kwu Tung North.

Linn said the first phase is expected to open in 2027, coinciding with the opening of the MTR Kwu Tung Station.

The hall will have a construction area of 5,000 square meters and will be located near the planned national development museum, allowing for the establishment of an exhibition complex. However, she did not disclose the cost of the project.

Given the current fiscal deficit, Lawmaker  Erik Yim Kong suggested the government could apply a "Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model" to partner with the private sector in operating a commercial complex that includes the exhibition hall.

Linn responded that if any companies are willing to invest, the government could provide support in planning and land administration.
 
The government had previously planned to build a similar exhibition hall in Wan Chai at a cost of HK$700 million, which was ultimately shelved.

Linn reiterated that setting up an exhibition hall in Wan Chai would take a longer time and does not meet the current need to attract business, as enterprises prefer to conduct on-site inspections in the Northern Metropolis.

The government will also establish community liaison centers with exhibition facilities in several other development areas of the Northern Metropolis to explain the planning and work to businesses.