EXPANSION OF CEC GETS UNDERWAY

Work began today (Wednesday 19 July) on the Trade Development Council’s HK$1.4 billion expansion to the Convention and Exhibition Centre (CEC). It is scheduled for completion in the first half of 2009. The project will create 40 per cent more exhibition space (19,400 sq m, equivalent to 1,000 booths) in the structure that connects and integrates the facility’s two buildings. To be financed independently by TDC from internal and external resources, the expansion will be achieved without reclamation and almost within the CEC’s existing envelope. The contractor for this design and build project is Hip Hing-Ngo Kee Joint Venture. The expansion will allow mega trade fairs anchored at the CEC to keep growing, with several in the running to become the world’s largest for their industries. The need is urgent because of rising competition from other cities in the region with larger exhibition facilities. Meanwhile, TDC has converted the CEC’s underground carpark into flexible exhibition space to accommodate even more booths at mega fairs while construction of the expansion is underway. ***** For press enquiries, please contact Lawrence Yau of TDC’s Corporate Communication at 25844510.