Fong Po-kiu: The new building maintenance system — how to break the deadlock through technology and mechanisms

The government and the Urban Renewal Authority have launched the "New Building Maintenance Support Service", substantially reforming the "pre-qualification list" mechanism for engineering consultants and contractors. The article points out that amid the ageing of old buildings, collusion and bid-rigging are rife in the major maintenance market, and the Po Lam fire has further exposed regulatory loopholes in the existing system. The new measures are a step in response to public demands and in safeguarding the interests of property owners.