Lawmakers on Friday passed a motion of thanks for Chief Executive John Lee's Policy Address this year.

In the third and final day of the discussion at Legco, retail sector lawmaker Peter Shiu brought up the need to transform the local economy as mentioned by the CE.

Shiu said his sector – amid recent struggles – faces similar challenges.

"Now there's a shift in the consumption pattern of these mainland visitors. E-commerce is all the rage these days, and local residents are glad to head north for dining and shopping," Shiu, who also chairs the Liberal Party, said.

"That's why I said, let's recognise the new situation, let's use technology so that our goods are sold not just locally... let's use the online platform and promote our products elsewhere."

Shiu also called on entrepreneurs to take a major part in the development of the Northern Metropolis, saying they should be confident about the country and the SAR and that the project would produce great returns.

Election Committee sector lawmaker Doreen Kong, for her part, noted that some tenants living in sub-divided units (SDUs) said rents are rising as the government plans to regulate these homes and turn them into "basic housing units".

The official leading a task force on the matter, Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong, said the government has confidence tackling the issue now because there are more flats in the pipeline to accommodate SDU tenants.

"We will stick to this people-centric and orderly approach," Wong said in the chamber.

"If we can continue to boost the quantity and speed in building public housing, more SDU residents can move into public flats and demand for SDUs will gradually fall."

He said officials will give a report on the matter to the legislature at the start of next month, which will be followed by a two-month public consultation exercise.