Hong Kong professionals to reaprewards of credential-sharing collaboration for surveyors

HONG KONG, CHINA- Media OutReach - November 30, 2018 - A landmark agreement will see land surveyors accredited by both RICS (Royal Institution of CharteredSurveyors) and HKIS (The Hong KongInstitute of Surveyors) enjoy mutual recognition and benefits, in a joint bidto better prepare the profession for future opportunities.

Members of RICS charteredthrough a Geomatics pathway (Chartered Land Surveyors) and the Land SurveyingDivision of HKIS will be encouraged to collaborate and share innovations underthe deal, which will see credentials and know-how aligned between professionalsfrom both organisations.

The new agreement followsan earlier partnership signed between RICS and HKIS in March, which securedmutual recognition of valuation surveyors. Both agreements serve to help HongKong's surveyors better prepare themselves for the growing opportunitiespresented by the ongoing Greater Bay Area development, which has created anunprecedented demand for construction and surveying professionals.

The arrangement also allowsHong Kong's class of surveyors to capture opportunities presented further afieldby China's historic round Belt and Road Initiative, as well tap into the widerglobal market, and gain access to the leading knowledge pool possessed by RICSand HKIS.

Clare Chiu, chief operating officer of RICS HK,Taiwan and Macau, said:"This mutual recognition agreement comes at a timely moment from which theentire region stands to benefit, and it is only right we do all we can toensure all of Hong Kong's surveyors are best equipped to contribute -- at thebenefit of both the city and the Greater Bay Area. RICS has long championed theadvance and advantages of inter-organisation collaboration, and this landmarkagreement represents a meaningful opportunity to serve our ongoing goal ofpromoting innovation and teamwork, in harmony with HKIS members."

HKIS President Sr Dick Kwok added: "By sharing qualifications, wefortify the credentials of Hong Kong's ranks of talented surveyors, allowingthem to compete regionally and internationally at this dynamic time of growthand opportunity in the Greater China area. We look forward to collaboratingfurther with our friends at RICS, and continuing our valued role in upholdingstandards in the industry."

About RICS

Confidence through Professional Standards

RICS promotes and enforces the highest professionalqualifications and standards in the development and management of land, realestate, construction and infrastructure.Our name promises the consistent delivery of standards -- bringing confidence tothe markets we serve.

We accredit 125,000professionals and any individual or firm registered with RICS is subject to ourquality assurance. Their expertise covers property, asset valuation, realestate management; the development of infrastructure; and the management ofnatural resources, such as mining, farms andwoodland. From environmental assessments and building controls to negotiatingland rights in an emerging economy; if our members are involved the sameprofessional standards and ethics apply.

We believe that standardsunderpin effective markets. With up toseventy per cent of the world's wealthbound up in land and real estate, our sector is vital to economic development,helping to support stable, sustainable investment and growth around the globe.

With offices covering the major political and financial centres of the world, our market presence meanswe are ideally placed to influence policy and embed professional standards. Wework at a cross-governmental level, delivering international standards thatwill support a safe and vibrant marketplace in land,real estate, construction andinfrastructure, for the benefit of all.

We are proud of ourreputation and work hard to protect it, so clients who work with an RICS professional can have confidence in thequality and ethics of the services they receive.

Photo caption (Please click here to download):

RICS and HKISsigned mutual recognition agreement of land surveyors

(L) SeanTompkins, Chief Executive of RICS

(R) Sr DickKwok, President of the HKIS

About the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors

Established in 1984, The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors is the onlysurveying professional body incorporated by ordinance in Hong Kong.  As of19 October 2018, the number of members reached 10,217 including 6,782 CorporateMembers consisting Fellows and Members -- distinguished by the initials FHKISand MHKIS; 77Associate Members -- distinguished by the initials AMHKIS; and 3,358 probationersand student members. The Institute's work includes setting standards forprofessional services and performance, establishing codes of ethics,determining requirements for admission as professional surveyors, access andaward the professional qualification, and advance members' professionalknowledge, technical and services standards through continuing professionaldevelopment.

The Institute has an important consultative role in government policy makingand on issues affecting the profession. We have advised the Government onissues such as unauthorized building works, building safety campaign, problemsof property management, town planning and development strategies, constructionquality and housing problems. We are working on amendments to standard forms ofbuilding contract and have issued guidance notes on floor area measurementmethods.

For more details, please refer to HKIS website: https://www.hkis.org.hk

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hkisofficial