|
'Transportation and Logistics' is an important sector of the economy,
accounting for about 4.8 per cent of Hong Kong's Gross Domestic Product.
Hong Kong is Asia's premier international transportation and logistics
hub, and for many years has maintained its position as the world's busiest
container port and a leading international air cargo handling centre.
These achievements are due to the people who run the services and facilities
— the investors as well as the efficient workforce. It is also the
result of a productive blend of private and public sector cooperation.
Hong Kong has a port and an airport that are efficient,
reliable and well-connected and facilitate the development of the logistics
industry. In the case of air cargo, the airport handles an average of
50 810 tonnes every week. With its dual runways, the airport has ample
capacity to handle anticipated increases in demand.
Hong Kong is also home to the most productive and
efficient container terminals and the biggest private terminal operator
in the world. A comprehensive network of container line services connects
the port of Hong Kong with over 500 destinations world-wide. A new six-berth
container terminal, Container Terminal 9, is nearing completion. The first
two berths came into operation in July and October. When the terminal
becomes fully operational by the end of 2004, Hong Kong's container terminals
will have a total handling capacity of more than 17 million TEUs.
Necessary measures continued to be taken during the
year to further strengthen the air transport infrastructure. The Government's
Economic Development and Labour Bureau initialled two new Air Services
Agreements (ASAs) in 2003. This brings the total number of signed and
initialled ASAs to 60 and provides more opportunities for airlines to
expand services. In March, the Logistics Centre at the Hong Kong International
Airport commenced operation to provide various logistics and supply chain
management services.
The policy objective of the Government is to maintain and strengthen
the role of Hong Kong as the preferred international transportation and
logistics hub in Asia. The Government provides a conducive environment
and necessary infrastructure to facilitate the development of the logistics
sector. It also maximises the scope for cooperation and coordination with
the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region in developing intermodal transportation
links to achieve synergistic benefits.
The Steering Committee on Logistics Development (LOGSCOM),
chaired by the Financial Secretary, provides policy directives and accelerates
measures to foster logistics development. The Hong Kong Logistics Development
Council (LOGSCOUNCIL), chaired by the Secretary for Economic Development
and Labour, underpins LOGSCOM in fostering logistics development and carries
out joint projects between the public and private sectors. It also provides
a forum for government officials and industry players to discuss and coordinate
matters concerning 'Logistics Hong Kong'. Five Project Groups are set
up under LOGSCOUNCIL to develop and implement work programmes in specific
areas, including physical infrastructure, information connectivity, human
resource development, support for small and medium sized enterprises,
as well as marketing and promotion.
During the year, LOGSCOUNCIL focused on the development
of a Digital Trade and Transportation Network System, an open and neutral
e-platform for the exchange of information and data among participants
in the supply chain; and the development of a Value Added Logistics Park
to provide a designated facility for handling high value, time-critical
merchandise. The Government also conducted a joint study with the National
Development and Reform Commission to explore the room for cooperation
between Hong Kong and the Mainland (especially in the PRD) in logistics
development.
LOGSCOUNCIL worked closely with the logistics sector
to upgrade the quality of human resources by encouraging training institutes
to organise tailor-made courses for logistics practitioners. It also organised
roadshows to promote Hong Kong's logistics industry to the public, in
particular the younger generation. |
