Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor delivers a video speech at the Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation Conference 2021, Nov 2, 2021. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)
HONG KONG – Hong Kong must continue to enhance logistics information flow and intermodal operations while taking advantage of the financial hub's extensive network and connectivity to fully capitalize on the opportunities offered by the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
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Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor made the remarks on Tuesday at the 11th Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation Conference, jointly organized by the HKSAR government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center.
With the central authorities' support and recognition, our logistics, maritime and aviation sectors are set to enjoy boundless opportunities in the mainland.
Carrie Lam, HK chief executive
Running in a hybrid format, the conference enabled participants from around the world to expand business connections and explore partnership opportunities both virtually and face-to-face.
Lam said in a video speech delivered at the opening ceremony that the trade and logistics sector has shown remarkable resilience over the past two years, and recently there have been clear signs of a rebound.
She said the revival was brought about by an improved business environment in Hong Kong, thanks to the implementation of the National Security Law in Hong Kong last year which brought stability back to the society, and the improvement to the HKSAR's electoral system which ensures "patriots administering Hong Kong."
"With the central authorities' support and recognition, our logistics, maritime and aviation sectors are set to enjoy boundless opportunities in the mainland," she said, adding that logistics was central to the future of the Greater Bay Area.
In the following Air Freight Forum held on the first day of the conference, experts in the logistics and aviation industries said that Hong Kong’s air cargo transport sector has remained resilient, boosted by new opportunities despite the severe impact of the pandemic over the past year.
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“Hong Kong is set to play an important role in the development of aviation and logistics within the Greater Bay Area, especially under the guideline of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25),” said Kaiser Lam, regional vice-president of Hong Kong and South China, at Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.
During the two-day conference, there was a newly added physical and virtual exhibition that showcased different logistics technologies, including 5G technology for warehouse management, smart logistics solutions, international payment solutions and the latest smart port developments, connecting participants with the best business solutions.
The conference's virtual platform also provides interactive functions including AI-driven business-matching services.
With Xinhua inputs
aoyulu@chinadailyhk.com