He described the project as unprecedented in terms of scope, scale and complexity and said that the engineering feasibility studies for more than 20 project items are now complete. The three governments involved are working out the financial arrangements and an expert group will scrutinise the report before the project goes to the next stage. The government is consulting the public on selection of the site of the boundary crossing facilities in Hong Kong.

Both employment opportunities and wages will increase during the construction stage of the 10 key infrastructure schemes, he said. The projects will be co-ordinated by the recently-established Development Bureau.