The new industrial park under the Northern Metropolis megaproject has attracted strong global interest from companies in environmental and AI sectors, its chairman has said, with plans to provide international education and accommodation facilities.

Jeffrey Lam Kin-fung, the newly appointed chairman of the Hung Shui Kiu Industry Park Company, also aims to have the park operational by July next year, describing it as a “nice gift” for Hong Kong’s 30th anniversary of its return to Chinese sovereignty.

“I have received many inquiries. They are from all different industries AI, hi-tech food, you name it. They are all so interested in coming in. What I am concerned about is that we might run out of land very, very soon. I hope these plans come true,” he said in an exclusive interview with the South China Morning Post.

However, he declined to say how many companies had expressed interest, adding that details would be announced at a later stage.

“They are coming from the United States, Europe, Asean countries and even the Middle East. There is a lot of money coming this way.”

The 10 Asean member states are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.