Third-party investor for Disneyland possible under right circumstances, Hong Kong minister says
But government will not reduce stake in development any time soon as the ‘rate of return remained positive’
The government has said it would not rule out having a third-party investor in Hong Kong Disneyland if economic circumstances changed for the city and the theme park.
“We won’t rule out that in the future, given the circumstances, we might introduce a third-party investor,” So said, adding that the government was “reviewing” its cooperation with Disney.
But the minister said that reducing the government’s stake in the theme park was unlikely to happen any time soon as the “rate of return remained positive”.
However, it was the first time the government had admitted to the possibility of another investor in the project.
Pan-democratic legislators – who were accused by some pro-establishment lawmakers of filibustering the session – remained defiant of approving the funding proposal.
Independent pan-democrat Claudia Mo Man-ching slammed the government for not disclosing complete financial details of its stake in Disneyland. So said this was confidential under shareholder agreements.
“The Legco is not a bank ... it’s public money ... when we inject funds that means it’s an investment and we have to see if it’s worthwhile,” Mo insisted.
The six-year expansion will feature thematic zones based on the blockbuster Frozen and Marvel superhero films, as well as a transformation of the Sleeping Beauty Castle.
