Situated between Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula, Victoria Harbour is famous internationally for its spectacular harbor views of stunning panoramic night scenes and a skyline which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. Although it's already a major tourist attraction, I still believe more development of it is necessary. This is to further promote its charms and establish a harbor zone. This will bring further business opportunities, while boosting Hong Kong tourist industry.

Stretching for 73 km, Victoria Harbour has considerable areas for further development. For instance, few places have sizable promenades - essentially only the area from Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui to Hung Hom and the area near Taikoo Shing at East Island. In other words, approximately 90 percent of spacious harbor front areas remain undeveloped.

Such development, nonetheless, faces many challenges because it involves so many parties. These include the Development Bureau, Home Affairs Bureau, Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, Urban Renewal Authority, Hong Kong Tourism Board, the Harbourfront Enhancement Committee, Harbourfront Commission, district councils, and more importantly, private owners. Some sections of the harbor front are already used for other purposes, or owned by private individuals - so integration and coordination are not easy.

Luckily, the HKSAR Government is determined to enhance the attractiveness and vibrancy of the harbor front. The government is planning to set up a statutory Harbourfront Authority next year and to press ahead with the development in an innovative and flexible manner. It has now commenced a consultation exercise to collect public views and suggestions.

Months ago, the authorities organized a symposium on harbor front development called "Unleashing the Potential of the Waterfront" at the Central Government Offices. Officials and experts from the world's four most famous harbor cities, including Singapore, Sydney, Oakland and Vancouver, were invited to discuss challenges in pursuing harbor development and successful experiences in implementing waterfront projects. Hong Kong should learn from their experiences in creating attractive and vibrant waterfronts. It can then take advantage of international events and cooperate with private owners, etc.

According to experts, the development of harbor areas can achieve four things: a) promote economic growth; b) boost tourism; c) enhance a city's popularity; and d) improve the quality of life. With acknowledgement of these things, I also think a good harbor increases people's sense of pride and belonging.

With the establishment of Harbourfront Authority, the goal should be to avoid multiple departments managing it, so efficiency can be stressed. I believe most parties will support the authority but the real problem will be its future performance. I hope the new department can focus not only on management issues, but also increase the involvement of the business community.

The tricky problem for waterfront development is dealing with private ownership. The government should offer reasonable incentives to attract private owners.

With reference to West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, the Harbourfront Authority will be allocated approximately HK$300 million to HK$500 million from the government. Starting from Central reclamation area, it will first set up the new harbor front at Central, integrating tourist projects, entertaining facilities, offshore activities and cultural performances. I suggest the government should also develop a harbor promenade from Kai Tak Cruise Terminal to West Kowloon cultural center.

The author is vice-president of the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong.

(HK Edition 01/14/2014 page9)