In the morning of 29th March, International Exhibition Centre (IEC) site was filled with a score of government officials coming to witness the ground breaking ceremony. Among which, is Mr. Olivier-Marie Racine, CEO of Bouygues Batiment International, who flew in from Paris to officiate the ceremony.

As IEC is a public-private project, one executive from each side delivered a speech. On the private side is Benoît de Ruffray, Managing Director of Dragages Hong Kong Limited and also Vice Chairman of AsiaWorld-Expo. Taking this chance, Benoît announced that the foundation work started one month ahead of schedule and is expected to be well ready for operation in end of 2005. Mr. John Tsang, Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, represented the public side of the JV to announce that MTR has confirmed to extend Airline Express Line to cater for the increased demand of transportation services.

After the speech and the lion eye dotting ceremony, the two guest speakers along with 7 other officiating guests shove the golden mud, symbolising the good wish of a land that brings great fortune.

The ceremony came to an end successfully before noon.

Officiating guests, from left to right:
Mr. Nicolas Borit, CEO, AsiaWorld-Expo Management Limited
Mr. Hans Bakker, Commercial Director, Airport Authority Hong Kong
Mr. Tony Fung, Chairman, Yu Ming Investments Limited
Mr Olivier-Marie Racine, CEO, Bouygues Batiment International
Mr.John Tsang, Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology
Mr. Mike Rowse, AsiaWorld-Expo’s Chairman
Mr Benoît de Ruffray, Vice Chairman, AsiaWorld-Expo ; Managing Director, Dragages Hong Kong Limited
Dr. David Pang, CEO, Airport Authority Hong Kong
Mr. Russell Black, Project Director, MTR Corporation

For more information, please contact
Susanna Poon
Communication Officer
Dragages Hong Kong Limited
Tel: 2507 1730
Fax: 2588 1979
Email: susanna.poon@bouyguesasia.com