The Secretary for Transport and Logistics and Chairman of the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board (HKMPB), Mr Lam Sai-hung, concluded his visit to Athens, Greece, today (September 6, Athens time) with a delegation of HKMPB members.
Mr Lam arrived in Athens yesterday (September 5, Athens time) and met with the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy of Greece, Mr Christos Stylianides, to exchange views on matters of mutual interest. Both sides agreed to further explore concrete co-operation opportunities. Mr Lam and the delegation also had a meeting with the Union of Greek Shipowners to promote Hong Kong's high value-added maritime services and the work of the Hong Kong Shipping Registry.
Mr Lam then hosted a business dinner for Greek shipping companies and associations to strengthen connections and develop potential business prospects.
Referring to the close ties between the port and maritime communities of Greece, Hong Kong and Mainland China in various areas, including shipping operation and other high value-added maritime services, Mr Lam said, "Hong Kong and Greece have long enjoyed a cordial and enduring relationship, with our bilateral merchandise trade totalling about 200 million euros, an increase by around one-third of last year. The throughput tonnage between the two places also increased by 55 per cent during the same period, amounting to 220 000 tonnes."
"This strong foundation of economic and people-to-people connections provides a solid basis for us to further deepen our collaboration in the maritime domain. Hong Kong is the gateway between Mainland China and the rest of the world, and I believe there are tremendous opportunities for Hong Kong and Greece to collaborate and capitalise on our respective strengths in the port and maritime sector," he added.
Mr Lam and the delegation visited port facilities in Piraeus to learn about the operation of the Greek port today (September 6, Athens time). They then paid a courtesy call on the Chinese Ambassador to Greece, Mr Xiao Junzheng, to give him an update on the latest developments of Hong Kong's maritime industry.
Mr Lam and the delegation concluded the visit today and will arrive in Hong Kong tomorrow (September 7, Hong Kong time).
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