Recently, the National Development and Reform Commission ("NDRC") and the Ministry of Housing and Urban-rural Development ("MOHURD") have issued the Guiding Opinions on Boosting the Development of Whole-process Engineering Consulting Services (the "Opinions").
The Opinions propose an array of policy measures in different aspects, including "encouraging the development of whole-process engineering consulting in different forms", "focusing on the invention of whole-process engineering consulting models", "improving the market environment" and "introducing better safeguard measures". Specifically, clarity is provided on: 1. two key areas in developing the whole-process engineering consulting; 2. the content and forms of the comprehensive consultation about investment decision-making; 3. the content of and conditions for the whole-process consulting for engineering construction; and 4. how to calculate and charge the remuneration for whole-process engineering consulting services. The Opinions require that a comprehensive consultation on investment decision-making shall give consideration to various factors that have possible impacts on project feasibility, and cover discussions of all relevant special assessment and evaluation issues in the feasibility studies, so as to make the decision-making process more scientific. The consulting services may be led mainly by engineering consultants as a result of the market-based cooperation or the entrusted provision of professional services, or jointly provided by such engineering consultants and other qualified service agencies.