Big Projects: Belt & Road helping HK architectural company expand

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04:01

China is hosting its second major international forum for the Belt & Road Initiative next week. Many industries have been reporting significant gains in recent months, as the massive project gathers momentum. CGTN's Zhu Dan spoke to the founder of a Hong Kong-based architectural firm, who said his company's recent growth has being driven largely by the Belt and Road initiative.

When Bosco Ho founded his firm almost 40 years ago, he could never imagine the expansion today.

BOSCO HO HO & PARTNERS ARCHITECTURE & DEVT. COMPANY "I started my business back in 1980 when we understand that the mainland starts to modernize and open up, so we think this is a great opportunity for HK's professionals. I consider myself to be an adventurist."

Ho & Partners Architecture Company, also known as HPA, a Hong Kong-based firm, has been profitable thanks in large part of the Chinese mainland.

But the company hit hard times in the late 1990s during the Asian financial crisis when it shut down offices in Singapore and Bangkok.

They reopened its Southeast Asia branch five years ago, thanks to the Belt and Road Initiative, and also to this man, Nick Ho, Bosco's son.

BOSCO HO HO & PARTNERS ARCHITECTURE & DEVT. COMPANY "He brings along a lot of fresh ideas, concept design, interior design, especially on how to make the design contemporary."

Nick joined his father's company six years ago and quickly saw opportunity in Southeast Asia with the help of the Belt and Road Initiative.

The New Manila Bay - City of Pearl is one of the mega projects. It's located in the heart of Manila on more than 400 hectares. It's expected to be the biggest self-sustaining smart city in Asia, able to host more than half a million people and create at least 100-thousand jobs.

NICOLAS HO HO & PARTNERS ARCHITECTURE & DEVT. COMPANY "The other one we're working on right now is in eastern Thailand. This is also supported by the Thai government. There is a lot of Mou, there is a lot of government facilitation. It is very useful, especially in Southeast Asia."

ZHU DAN HONG KONG "Hong Kong officials say the 'Belt and Road Initiative' is not just empty talk or a political slogan, but a blueprint that could bring practical benefits. Global Trade is in the city's DNA. International finance runs through its veins. There's a lot that this area can do for the initiative, and vice versa."

Big projects are not new for Hong Kong. It's been involved in building airports in Cambodia, India and Sri Lanka; power plants in Thailand, Vietnam and Poland; a subway system in Saudi Arabia; and artificial islands in the UAE.

NICOLAS HO HO & PARTNERS ARCHITECTURE & DEVT. COMPANY "Belt and Road is a huge market. It accounts for 60%-70% of the world's population. The good news is the pie, the market itself is huge. There's a piece for everyone. We have benefited. In the long run, it is a 30-50 year plan that can set Hong Kong professionals in the global market."

The Belt and Road Initiative is an ambitious effort to improve regional cooperation. Both Nick and his father say you can't afford to neglect it. Zhu Dan, CGTN, Hong Kong.